Parent of a British Child Visa (10-Year route)
The UK Immigration Rules allow parents of British or settled children living in the UK to apply for a visa to come and live with them. If you are a parent of a British child and do not meet the requirements of the parent visa under the 5-year route, you can apply for the parent of a British child visa under the 10-year route.
Application Process for a Parent of a British Child Visa
The Parent of a British Child Visa allows a non-British parent to remain in the UK if they have a British child who is under 18, lives in the UK, and is either a British citizen or settled in the country. The application process can be complex, so it’s crucial to follow the correct steps and provide the necessary documentation. Here’s a detailed explanation of the process:
1. Complete the Online FLR (FP) Application Form
The first step in applying for the Parent of a British Child Visa is to complete the online FLR (FP) form. The FLR (FP) form is specifically designed for individuals applying for family-based visas in the UK, including parent of a British child.
Form Submission: The form requires detailed personal information, including your immigration history, family background, and the relationship you have with your child.
Provide Information About Your parent of a British child: You will need to provide information about your child, such as their name, date of birth, citizenship status, and living arrangements.
2. Pay the Home Office Fee and Immigration Health Surcharge
After completing the application form, you will need to pay two important fees:
Home Office Application Fee: This fee is required for processing your visa application. The amount may vary depending on whether you’re applying for the 5-year or 10-year route. The fee is paid online during the application process.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): This is a mandatory fee that covers the cost of healthcare under the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) during your stay for parent of a British child. The IHS is also paid online during the application process and ensures you have access to the NHS in the UK.
3. Book an Appointment for Biometrics
Once you’ve submitted your application for parent of a British child and paid the fees, you will need to attend an appointment to enrol your biometrics (fingerprints and photographs). This step is crucial as the Home Office uses biometric data to verify your identity and process your application.
Biometric Appointment Booking: The appointment will be booked through the UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services) portal, where you will be directed to choose a convenient location for your appointment.
Attend the Appointment: On the day of your appointment for parent of a British child, you will need to bring your passport and any documents requested by UKVCAS. After the biometric enrolment, your application will be processed.
4. Upload Supporting Documents to the UKVCAS Portal
Before attending your biometric appointment, you will need to upload all required supporting documents to the UKVCAS portal. This is a critical step as the Home Office will use these documents to assess your application. The required documents typically include:
Proof of Identity: A valid passport or travel document.
Proof of Relationship to the Child: Evidence of your relationship with your child, such as a birth certificate.
Proof of the parent of a British child Status: Documents confirming you are parent of a British child is a British citizen or settled in the UK, such as their UK birth certificate or passport.
Financial Evidence: Proof that you can financially support yourself and your child as a parent of a British child in the UK (bank statements, pay slips, etc.).
Evidence of Direct Access to the parent of a British child: As detailed below, you need to show that you have direct access to the parent of a British child, either through a residence order or contact order or through other proof of your ongoing involvement in the parent of a British child life.
Relationship Requirements
To qualify for the Parent of a British Child Visa, you must meet the following relationship criteria:
The Child’s Age and Status: Your child must be under 18 years old, living in the UK, and either a British citizen or settled in the UK (having indefinite leave to remain or settled status).
Parental Responsibility: You must have sole parental responsibility for the child or be the parent or carer with whom the child normally resides. You cannot apply for this visa if your child lives with the other parent, and they are your partner.
Active Role in the Child’s Life: You must show that you play an active role in your child’s upbringing. This can be supported by documents that demonstrate your ongoing involvement in your child’s daily activities, education, and general care.
Direct Access to the Child
If you do not live with your child but are applying for the visa, you must demonstrate that you have direct access to the child as agreed with the parent or carer your child lives with, or as ordered by a UK court.
What is Direct Access?
Direct access means that you have regular physical access to your child, such as scheduled visits or overnight stays. You will need to provide evidence of this arrangement.Evidence of Access:
You can provide evidence such as a contact order, residence order, or a sworn affidavit from the parent or carer with whom the child normally lives, confirming your access rights.
Switching Routes
If you were initially granted leave to remain as a parent under the 10-year route, you may be eligible to switch to the 5-year Parent of a British Child Visa once you meet all the requirements under Appendix FM of the immigration rules.
Eligibility for Switching: If you’ve been in the UK on the 10-year route, and your circumstances have changed to meet the criteria for the 5-year route, you can switch to the shorter route, potentially speeding up your path to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
How Can We Help?
At Primus Solicitors, our expert UK immigration solicitors are here to assist you throughout the Parent of a British Child Visa application process. We offer comprehensive support, including:
Detailed Immigration Advice: We provide personalized advice tailored to your specific case and ensure you understand the full requirements.
Document Assessment: Our solicitors will carefully assess your supporting documents to ensure they meet the Home Office’s requirements.
Complete Application Process Support: From booking your biometrics appointment to submitting your application and uploading supporting documents to the UKVCAS portal, we handle every detail of the application process.
Legal Representations: We will prepare legal representations, including a cover letter, to accompany your application.
Unlimited Chase-Up Letters: We offer unlimited chase-up letters to the Home Office to ensure your application is processed smoothly and efficiently.
Whether you are applying for a Parent of a British Child Visa for the first time or switching from another route, our team is here to make the process as seamless as possible.
Get in Touch with Us
Hire our specialist immigration lawyers to help you through this process and ensure a successful outcome for your parent of a British child visa application. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you with your immigration matter.
Conclusion
Applying for a Parent of a British Child Visa is a multi-step process that requires careful preparation and documentation. With the help of an expert immigration solicitor from Primus Solicitors, you can navigate this process with confidence and ensure the best chance of success. Let us assist you in making the right choices for your family’s future in the UK.
