UK Parent of a Child Visa Application Explained - 2025 Updates

What is the Parent of a Child route?

The UK Immigration Rules provide a route for a parent to join or remain with their British or settled child in the UK. This applies whether the parent is living overseas and seeking to apply for entry clearance or is already in the UK and eligible to apply for further leave to remain. This route falls under Appendix FM, specifically within Section EC-PT: Entry Clearance as a Parent of a Child in the UK and Section R-LTRPT: Requirements for limited leave to remain as a parent.

This route is distinct from the partner route and is only available where the applicant is not in a relationship with the child’s other parent or carer. Applicants must demonstrate an ongoing and active parental role in the child’s upbringing, and depending on the circumstances, show they have either sole responsibility for the child or direct access to the child.

UK Parent Visa Entry Clearance Requirements – Who Can Apply?

To qualify for a UK parent visa, the following general requirements apply:

The applicant must:

• Be over 18 years old
• Be applying from outside the UK (for Entry Clearance only)
• Not be eligible under the partner route
• have sole parental responsibility for the child or have direct access (in person) to the child  as agreed with the parent or carer with whom the child normally lives or as ordered by a court in the UK
• Take and intend to continue to take an active role in the child’s upbringing
• Meet the English language requirement unless exempt
• Demonstrate adequate maintenance and accommodation

The child must:

• Be under 18 years old at the date of application
• Be living in the UK
• Be either a British citizen, settled person (ILR or permanent residence), or hold pre-settled status under Appendix EU (excluding joining family members)

UK Parent Visa In-Country Leave to Remain Requirements – Who Can Apply?

The applicant must:

• Be over 18 years old
• Be applying from outside the UK (for Entry Clearance only)
• Not be eligible under the partner route
• Take an active role in the child’s upbringing
• Meet the English language requirement unless exempt
• Demonstrate adequate maintenance and accommodation

The child must:

• Be under 18 years old at the date of application; where the child has turned 18 years of age since the applicant was first granted entry clearance or leave to remain as a parent, the child must not have formed an independent family unit or be leading an independent life;
• Be living in the UK
• Be either a British citizen, settled person (ILR or permanent residence), or hold pre-settled status under Appendix EU (excluding joining family members)
• have lived in the UK continuously for at least the 7 years immediately preceding the date of application and there are exception circumstances

Relationship Requirements Explained: Sole Parental Responsibility or Direct Access

Applicants must satisfy one of the following:

• Sole Parental Responsibility
• Direct Access (in person) to the child where the child normally resides with someone else

In both scenarios, the applicant must also demonstrate that they are currently, and will continue to be, actively involved in the child’s upbringing.

1. Sole Parental Responsibility

Sole responsibility is not about day-to-day care, but about having primary decision-making authority over a child’s upbringing. It means the applicant exercises full parental control, including major decisions on education, health, religion, and welfare. Applicants will be expected to provide clear evidence of this arrangement and explain how this responsibility is exercised in practice.

2. Direct Access (Shared Parental Responsibility)

Where the applicant is not the sole caregiver but has a legally or informally agreed right to visit and participate in the child’s life, they may rely on “direct access”.

The Immigration Rules require that this access must be in person, not merely through phone calls or virtual contact. Applicants must show that this access is ongoing, and that they are playing a meaningful role in the child’s life.

Active Role in the Child’s Upbringing

Applicants must demonstrate that they are actively involved in their child’s life and will continue to do so in the UK. This may include providing care, financial support, educational input, and future co-parenting plans. Evidence must show both current involvement and a clear plan for ongoing support after relocation.Applicants must demonstrate that they are actively involved in their child’s life and will continue to do so in the UK.

Parent Visa Financial Requirement and English Language Requirements

Financial Requirement

There is no fixed minimum income threshold, but the applicant must show they can be адекватно поддържан and accommodated without recourse to public funds. This is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

English Language Requirement

Applicants must meet the English language requirement, unless exempt.

Suitability Requirement

The applicant must not fall for refusal under the general suitability requirements (e.g. criminality, deception, or breach of immigration laws).

Grant of Leave and Settlement

Successful applicants are granted entry clearance for 33 months (2 years and 9 months) or leave to remain for 30 months (2 years and 6 months) on the 5-year route to settlement. Those granted on the basis of exceptional circumstances may be placed on the 10-year route.

After completing 5 years (or 10 years if applicants do not meet certain requirements but there are exceptional circumstances ) of continuous leave in this category, applicants may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

Как можем да помогнем

At Angelov Solicitors, we understand how personal and complex parent-child immigration matters can be. We assist clients in preparing robust applications, gathering persuasive evidence of parental responsibility or access, and ensuring every requirement under Appendix FM is met.

Whether you are seeking to join your child in the UK from abroad, or are already here and need to regularise your status, we offer strategic legal support tailored to your family’s circumstances.