A visa that helps bring parents to live in the UK can be the difference between children having a stable home life or not. For this, you’ll need the UK Parent visa, a permit for mothers or fathers to gain permanent residency or citizenship provided they meet the requirements.

What is a UK Parent visa?

If your child is a British citizen but you’re not, the Parent visa will allow you to remain with them in the UK. It also gives you the right to live, study and work in the UK. This visa does not automatically grant indefinite leave to remain (ILR), nor does it grant citizenship. However, it offers a path to both if you’ve lived continuously in the country for over five years.

How much does a UK Parent visa cost?

If you apply from outside of the UK, the fee is £1,846 and £1,258 if you’re already in the country. You also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 for every year that your visa is valid to cover your use of the National Health Service (NHS) during your stay in the UK.

Read more: Drastic increase to the Immigration Health Surcharge fee

What do you need to apply for a UK Parent visa?

Applying for a Parent visa means you can’t risk any potential errors since they will impact your child’s life as much as yours. Sable International can help you with your application. With the necessary personal details and paperwork like your child’s settled status and birth certificate, we will get the process started and make sure you’re kept up to speed at every point.

Other required documents are:

  • Proof of your relationship with your child, like custody agreements or court orders
  • Evidence you have accommodation and enough finances to support them and yourself
  • An English language proficiency certificate (if necessary)

Depending on their requirements, the Home Office may also ask you to make an appointment to have your fingerprints and photo taken. If the Home Office needs more information, an interview may also be necessary.

How long does a decision on a UK Parent visa take?

A Parent visa may take between eight and twelve weeks to process. If you need it completed urgently, you can pay £573 for a priority service to receive a decision faster.

What’s the duration of a UK Parent visa?

A Parent visa will allow you to stay in the UK for two and a half years. During this time, you’ll be allowed to:

You won’t have access to public funds, and after the initial two-and-a-half year period, you must apply for an extension.

How the UK Parent visa may grant settlement

After five years, parents can apply for ILR. This grants you permanent residence in the UK without any time limit. You then also have the option to pursue citizenship, provided you meet all the requirements.

Important facts about the UK Parent visa to bear in mind

Parent visas are only issued in the interest of a child’s well-being. If the Home Office believes a child would be negatively impacted by their parent’s removal from the UK, they’re more likely to grant the visa.

A parent’s potential removal from their child is taken so seriously that the Home Office allows mothers and fathers to make applications under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right to private and family life. This may also serve as the basis of an application if parents can’t meet some requirements.

So, is the UK Parent visa right for you?

The Parent visa is often the best way for families separated only by distance and paperwork to stay together. It also offers parents a path to a more secure future with their children by becoming permanent residents or UK citizens with excellent work and study opportunities.

Don’t lose the chance to be a part of your child’s upbringing. The legal advice from immigration specialists like Sable International will ensure your application is handled with care and made as compelling as possible for the best outcome.

Get in touch with our expert UK immigration team at immigration@sableinternational.com or by giving us a call on +44 20 7759 5330 or +27 21 657 2180. 

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