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.

Requirements for a Parent of a Child Student Visa

In order to qualify for a Parent of a Child Student visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that:

• You are aged 18 or over;
• You are the parent of a child who has, or is at the same time applying for, entry clearance or permission to stay as a Child Student;
• The Child Student’s other parent is not in the UK and is not seeking to come to the UK;
• The Child Student is aged between 4 and 11 years old and has, or is at the same time applying for, entry clearance or permission to stay, as a Child Student;
• You intend to live with the Child Student during your stay in the UK;
• You have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds;
• You do not intend to make the UK your main home and have sufficient funds to maintain your main home outside the UK;

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

Financial Requirement for a Parent of a Child Student Visa

Subject to the exceptions below, 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.

Switching into the Parent of a Child Student route

If you currently have valid leave to remain in the UK, you can apply to switch into the Parent of a Child Student route provided you do not have, or were not last granted, permission to stay as a Visitor, Short-term Student or outside the Immigration Rules.

Duration of Stay on a Parent of a Child Student Visa

If your application for a Parent of a Child Student Visa is successful you will be granted leave which expires at the same time as that of the Child Student who you are coming to care for, or on the Child Student’s 12th birthday, whichever is sooner.

Can Both Parents Travel to the UK?

Only one parent is permitted to travel to the UK on a Parent of a Child Student Visa, even where multiple children are attending school. The other parent may be able to enter as a visitor for short visits or would need to make an application under a different category of the Immigration Rules.

Working on a Parent of a Child Student Visa

Parent of a Child Student Visa holders are not permitted to work in the UK.

Studying on a Parent of a Child Student Visa

Parent of a Child Student Visa holders are not permitted to study in the UK.

How our immigration solicitors can help

Our team of immigration solicitors has experience in assisting with all types of Parent of a Child Student visas.

Our barristers are experts in the immigration options for parents of Child Students and will guide you through the complex Home Office rules and policies.

We pride ourselves on being approachable and proactive in understanding and meeting our clients’ needs. We are a highly driven team, dedicated to providing clear and reliable immigration advice to parents of Child Students as part of a professional and friendly service.