If you live in the UK but have a child who is not a UK citizen and lives abroad, you can apply for a UK Child Visa for them. This family visa allows your child to easily join you in the UK and later obtain permanent residency.

Read on to find out how to bring your child or children to the UK and what they need to do to obtain a visa.

Applying for a British visa for children

A UK Child Dependent Visa provides your child with a simple and straightforward way to enter the UK and live there with the rights necessary for permanent residency. It allows your child to pursue education in the UK, including higher education, and access local healthcare.

With a visa for dependent children, your child will later have the opportunity to obtain permanent residency. After a stay of at least five years, your child can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and subsequently live with you in the country without restrictions, even after reaching the age of majority.

Visa requirements for children in the United Kingdom

As a parent or legal guardian of the child, you must submit the visa application. To fulfill this role, you will need a specific visa or residence permit for the duration of your stay in the country. As a guarantor, you must meet one of the following requirements:

  • Permanent residence status in the United Kingdom (either through indefinite leave to remain or permanent right of residence)
  • Limited residence status in the United Kingdom (e.g., through a skilled worker visa or if you are a specialist)

    • It is important to know that the child can submit the application at the same time as a parent or guardian applies for a residence visa. Furthermore, you must meet additional criteria before you can sponsor your child. These include:

  • To bear full legal responsibility for your child (custody, parental rights, etc.).
  • Meeting the minimum income and asset requirements is necessary to ensure that you can support them.
  • Suitable accommodation for your child
  • The opportunity to provide your child with a proper education

    • Furthermore, your children must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the UK dependent child visa:

  • You must be under 18 years old.
  • They are currently not allowed to lead an independent life.
  • They are not married.
  • They did not form an independent family unit.
  • They must be dependent on the parent or guardian who sponsors them.

    • Required documents for a British visa for dependent children

    Before applying for the visa, you and your child must compile and submit various documents for the application. Applicants and guarantors must provide different documents for the application.

    As a sponsor, you must prepare the following documents:

  • Proof of your residence status in the United Kingdom (e.g. a biometric residence permit)
  • Proof of your relationship with your child, if desired (e.g. photos).
  • Proof of parental responsibility for the child (if applicable)
  • Proof of sufficient financial resources (e.g. bank statements)
  • Proof of suitable accommodation for your child (e.g. a rental agreement)
  • Information about your nationality and date of birth (only relevant for applications from outside Great Britain)

    • For your child, the applicant, you must provide the following information:

  • Completed application form Appendix FM
  • Results of the tuberculosis test (only relevant if the applicant comes from a country with a high number of tuberculosis cases)

    • It is important to note that all documents not written in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.

    How to apply for a British child visa from Thailand

    Once all the required documents are prepared, you and your child can submit the application by completing the online form Appendix FM. After submitting the application and all documents, you must pay the visa fee and the immigrant healthcare surcharge.

    Once the authorities have received your child's application, you will be asked to schedule an appointment at the nearest UK VFS Centre in Thailand to provide your child's biometric data. Upon receipt of the application, it will be forwarded to UK Immigration Services (UKVI), where the final decision will be made. Once approved, your child will simply need to collect their passport from the nearest visa application centre.

    Professional support with your British visa for children

    If you wish to apply for a UK visa for a child from Thailand, contact Siam Legal for professional assistance with your application. As a full-service law firm and visa consultancy assisting foreigners in Thailand with their immigration matters for over 20 years, our specialist foreign visa lawyers have the expertise to help your child obtain a visa quickly and smoothly.

    From compiling all the necessary documents to submitting the application, we ensure your application has the best chance of being approved in the shortest possible time. Contact Siam Legal today and secure a better future for your child in the UK.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    How much does it cost to apply for a British child visa?

    The application fee for a UK child visa for your child is approximately 530 GBP. This does not include the cost of the health surcharge or the cost of obtaining certain documents.

    How long does it take to process a British child visa?

    The processing time for your child's visa application depends on whether the application is submitted in the UK or abroad. If applying in Thailand, processing can take approximately 12 weeks. For faster processing, the priority service can be used, which allows the visa to be issued within 5 working days to one month.

    Does my child need to demonstrate any English language skills?

    No, unlike many other British visas, the Child Dependent Visa does not include any requirements regarding English language skills or the need to take a test beforehand.

    Can my child reapply if their application was rejected?

    Yes, depending on why your child's application was rejected, you may be able to either submit a new application or file an appeal. We recommend contacting our lawyers specializing in international visas to prepare a compelling appeal or improve your chances of success with a new application.

    What are the financial requirements for a British visa for dependent children?

    There are no financial requirements for the applicant. However, as the sponsor, you must demonstrate that you can provide for your child's living expenses for the entire duration of their stay. From 2025 onwards, you will need a minimum annual income of £29,000, plus £3,500 per year for the first child and £2,400 per year for each additional child.

    The additional income requirements for the visa differ if you hold a skilled worker visa. In this case, you will need an additional 315 GBP for the first child accompanying you and 200 GBP for each additional child.

    Contact us

    Contact our UK visa services team directly by scanning the WhatsApp QR code. We're happy to help with any questions you may have about your visa and support you throughout the entire application process.

    You can also contact us using the form below. Please fill out the form completely and send it to us.

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