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Child of a Partner or Settled Person Visa
United KingdomUnited Kingdom•Europe
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Child of a Partner or Settled Person Visa

Residency Pathway PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

2–3 months

Varies by processing route

Estimated Cost

GBP £3,347–£4,392

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

Matches parent's visa duration

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Not specified

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote work OK

Apply Now Official Information
United Kingdom flag

Living in United Kingdom

Cost of Living
2% cheaper than United States
Avg Salary£31,000
Quality of Life
174/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

This visa allows a dependent child under 18 to join or remain with a parent who is settled in the UK, has British citizenship, or has limited leave to enter/remain under Appendix FM.

The UK Appendix FM Child visa lets children under 18 join a parent who holds British/Irish citizenship, ILR, or Appendix FM leave. The sponsoring parent must meet a £29,000 income threshold or show adequate maintenance, plus prove suitable accommodation.

Leave matches the parent's visa duration, with a pathway to ILR. The application fee is £2,064 from outside the UK (£1,407 inside), plus IHS at £776 per year for under-18s — roughly £2,328 for a 3-year grant. Decisions typically take 8 weeks (inside UK) or 12 weeks (outside).

This visa is ideal for children under 18 whose parent is settled or has limited leave in the UK under the family route and who need to join or remain with that parent.

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Cost Breakdown

Application Fee (Outside UK)GBP £2,064
Application Fee (Inside UK)GBP £1,407
IHS (Outside UK - 3 years)GBP £2,328
IHS (Inside UK - 2.5 years)GBP £1,940
TotalGBP £3,347–£4,392

Processing Time

Track 13 months
Track 22 months

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Child must be under 18.

Child must not be married or leading an independent life.

Parent must be in the UK and hold British/Irish citizenship, ILR, or Appendix FM leave.

Must meet sole responsibility or compelling circumstances criteria.

Must meet financial requirement (either £29,000 threshold or adequate maintenance).

Must have adequate accommodation.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Child's passport

Child's birth certificate

Proof of parent's status

Evidence of sole responsibility or compelling circumstances

Financial evidence of parent

Proof of adequate accommodation

Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate (if applicable)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Allows family reunification
  • Pathway to permanent residency
  • No language requirement for children

Worth Knowing

  • Strict sole responsibility rules
  • Financial requirements tied to the parent's visa type
  • High upfront costs
  • Child is married or in a civil partnership
  • Child leads an independent family unit
  • Failure to meet financial requirements

Application Process

1

Verify qualification and gather documents

2

Complete online application

3

Pay application fee and IHS

4

Book and attend biometric appointment

5

Upload supporting documents

6

Wait for decision

Application Forms

Go to application portal
Child Visa Application
Apply to join family in the UK (child)
Fill online

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