Parent of a Child Student Visa in UK – How To Apply
The Parent of a Child Student Visa will allow one parent to come to or stay in the UK to care for their child (or children) where the child is studying at an independent fee-paying school under a Child Student Visa.
So, are you interested in obtaining the parent of a child student visa for your child/children, then this guide is for you.
In this article, we will be focusing on what a parent of a child student visa is, the eligibility criteria, documents needed to apply for this Visa, steps on how to apply for a parent of a child student visa, and other useful information. Sit tight! Let’s take you around.
About Parent of a child student visa
The Parent of a Child Student Visa is a UK short-stay visa for parents who want to accompany their child, who is under the age of 12, to an independent school in the UK to study.
Because the parent of a Child visa does not allow dependents, parents can instead join their children on a short-term visa.
So, to accompany the child who is on a parent of a Child visa, parents must obtain the Parent of a Child student visa.
Also when applying for a parent of a child Student Visa, you need to satisfy some requirements and other criteria to check if you are eligible to apply.
Eligibility Qualifications
To qualify for a parent of a child student visa, you must meet some requirements such as:
- You are at least 18 years old.
- You are the parent of a child who has received or is awaiting entry clearance or permission to remain as a child Student.
- The other parent of the Child Student is not in the UK and has no plans to visit.
- The Child Student is between the ages of 4 and 11 years old and has received or is currently awaiting entry clearance or permission to remain as a Child Student.
- During your time in the UK, you intend to live with the Child Student.
- You have sufficient income to support yourself without relying on government assistance.
- You do not intend to make the United Kingdom your primary residence and have adequate means to do so.
Documents needed for a parent of a child student visa application
- A current passport or other valid travel documents
- Proving that you have enough money to maintain yourself and your child
- Evidence that you have a permanent residence outside the UK
Depending on your situation, you may also be required to provide:
- If you are from a nation where you have to take the TB test, your tuberculosis (TB) test results in a certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh
How to apply for a parent of a parent-child student visa
1. Check if you need a visa
You might be eligible for different visas depending on why you’re visiting the UK and how long for.
2. Prepare the evidence you need
You need to check what documents you can use as evidence and if your visa is for more than 6 months, then also confirm if you need a TB test.
3. Apply
Within three weeks of your appointment, you should get a decision. You may be able to pay an additional £220 for a decision within 5 working days or £956 for a judgment within 24 hours by paying an additional £220. (not including weekends or bank holidays).
4. Attend an appointment
What you need to prove at your appointment will be communicated to you when a decision has been made about your visa.
5. Travel to the UK
Keep the documents that prove why you’re visiting the UK in your hand luggage so you can show them if asked and also come along with some documents to show the Immigration officers at the UK border.
6. After you arrive in the UK
If your visa allows you to stay in the UK for more than six months, you must obtain a biometric residence permit as soon as possible after arriving, and don’t forget to check your visa to find out when you must leave the UK. You may be able to extend your visa if you want to stay for longer.
7. Extend your visa
If you break the conditions of your visa you may not be able to return to the UK again.
Additional information
- When to apply
Whether you apply from within or outside the UK determines when you can apply. if you are applying from a country other than the united kingdom then you must apply for a visa at least 6 months before the start of your study.
Within three weeks, you should have a decision if you will be applying from the United Kingdom. The earliest you can apply is three months before the commencement of your course. Before your existing visa expires, you must apply.
Your new course must commence within 28 days of the expiration of your current visa. Within 8 weeks, you should receive a decision on how long you will be able to stay.
The length of your stay is determined by your age at the time of application and the length of your program.
When you apply, you must be of legal age. When you can travel to the UK. You can arrive in the UK up to 1 month before your course starts.
- Staying longer in the UK
You may be able to:
- extend your visa if you’re eligible, for example, to continue your studies in the UK
- switch to a Child Student visa from another visa if you’re already in the UK
- Visa application costs
- £348 to apply for a Child Student visa from outside the UK
- £475 to extend or switch to a Child Student visa from inside the UK
You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.
Activities you are permitted to do in the UK as a Parent of a Tier 4 Child
- Live in the UK for as long as the Tier 4 Child has a valid visa and they are under 12.
- Apply to extend your visa period.
- Get a voluntary job.
Activities you are not permitted to do in the UK as a Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa
- Using the UK Public Funds and Benefits.
- Switch into Another Category of a UK
- Apply for Settlement Permit.
- Get a Paid Employment.
- Bring Other Family Members as Your Dependents.
- Stay in the UK When Your Child Reaches the Age of 12 or Completes Their Studies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
How Long Will My Parent of a Child Student Visa Be Granted For?
If your application for a Parent of a Child Student visa is successful, the period of permission granted will be in line with that granted to the Child Student or when the Child Student turns 12, whichever is sooner.
How Do I Apply for a Parent of a Child Student Visa?
To apply for a Parent of a Child Student visa, you must apply online using the specified application form. For an application to be valid, you will need to pay a visa application fee and Immigration Health Charge.
The visa application fee for a Parent of a Child Student visa is £516 and the Immigration Health Charge is £624 per year for adults and £470 per year for children. You will also need to provide your biometrics and a passport or travel document establishing your nationality and identity.
How Long Can I Stay in the UK with a parent of a Child student Visa?
As a parent of a Tier 4 child, you can decide on the following term of stay:
When applying for the first visa, choose between 6 and 12 months (entry clearance).
No more than 12 months at a time – each time an extension is requested (further leave to remain).
How Much Does It Cost to Apply for a parent of a Child-Parent Visa?
You have to pay £516 on the occasion of applying for a Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa from abroad. When applying for a visa extension, you have to pay £1,033/£1,643 for a standard/premium service.
What is the parent of a Child student Visa Application Processing Time?
This is how much you are expected to wait for a decision on your Parent of a Child student visa application:
- Application submitted from abroad – not more than 3 months.
- Application from the UK for an extension – up to 8 weeks (using the standard service) and on the day you apply (through the premium service).
Conclusion
If your child is coming to the UK to study at an independent school and you wish to accompany or join your child then this guide will be of help to you as we have set out what you need to know about a parent of a child student visa.
