Parent of a Child Student Visa

Parent of a Child Student Visa enables the parent of a Child Student under the age of 12 to come to the UK and look after their child.

Parent of a Child Student Visa does not offer a route to settlement.

Requirements for a Parent of a Child Student Visa

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy will vary depending on your circumstances.  You may wish to speak to an immigration lawyer for an individual expert advice.

Eligibility requirements

You will need to satisfy the following eligibility requirements to qualify for a Parent of a Child Student Visa:

  • your child has to have or needs to be applying for a Child Student visa

  • your child must be aged between 4 and 11 when you apply, and be attending an independent school in the UK

  • you must be the only parent accompanying your child in the UK

  • you must have enough money to support yourself and your child in the UK

  • you must maintain your main home outside the UK

  • you must show that you plan to leave the UK when your visa expires

  • When you apply you’ll need to provide:

    • a current passport or other valid travel document

    • proof that you have enough money to support yourself and your child - unless you’ve been in the UK for at least 12 months on a valid visa

    • evidence that you have a permanent home outside the UK

    Depending on your circumstances, you might also need to provide:

    • your tuberculosis (TB) test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the TB test

    • a certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh

  • Once you’ve applied, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.

    You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

  • While you’re in the UK on a Parent of a Child Student visa, you cannot:

    • do paid work

    • study

    • start a business

    • make the UK your main home

    • apply for benefits (public funds), or the State Pension

    • bring other family members with you

    • switch to a different type of visa

  • When you apply for a Parent of a Child Student visa, you must:

    • pay the application fee

    • pay the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay

    • prove that you have enough money to support yourself and your child while you’re in the UK

    You will need to have £1,560 for each month of your intended stay in the UK up to a maximum of 9 months, plus £625 for each month of your intended stay up to a maximum of 9 months for any child other than the Child Student who will be under your care in the UK.

    You will need to have held the money for at least 28 consecutive days ending not more than 31 days before the date of your Parent of a Child Student Visa application.

    If you are applying for permission to stay and have been in the UK with permission for more than 12 months then you will be deemed to satisfy the financial requirement for a Parent of a Child Student Visa and will not need to show funds.

    If you are applying together with the Child Student for either entry clearance or leave to remain in circumstances where you have both lived in the UK for less than 12 months then you will satisfy the financial requirement if the Child Student satisfies the financial requirement applicable to their application.

  • You can stay in the UK until your child’s visa expires or they turn 12, whichever happens first.