Child Under 18 Dependent Visa | Requirements, Eligibility & Cost
If both the parents of a child under 18 living outside the UK are present and settled in the UK (i.e. they have either indefinite leave to remain or British citizenship) the child may be able to apply for a child settlement visa to join his/her parent (s) for indefinite leave in the UK. If only one parent is present and settled in the UK it still may be possible to apply for a child settlement visa, depending on the circumstances. The sponsor parent will have to prove that he/she has the sole responsibility for the child’s welfare and support.
It is important to note that sole responsibility is not just financial, the sponsor parent must be able to show that he/she makes all the important decisions of child’s life including but not limited to his/her education, religion, health, schooling, etc. The sponsor parent will also have to show regular contact and that they maintain de facto control.
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Child Dependent Visa
Child Dependent Visa (CDV) is a visa for family members of British citizens and permanent residents of the UK to join them in the UK. There are several different visas that can be issued to dependent children who wish to live with their parents, these include;
All dependent visa categories allow entry into Britain without any initial time limit on how long they may remain. The primary purpose of CDVs is for children to reside with their loved ones, as such there is no specific requirement that dependent children should be maintained by those receiving the visas. If the child does not require financial support, it would usually be unreasonable to refuse entry into Britain on this basis alone. However certain factors must be taken into account when assessing whether an individual will be able to maintain themselves without recourse to public funds.
The CDV applications are split into two categories depending on the age of the child;
A parent must be at least 18 years old, or 16 if they have permission from their partner's parents or guardians before they can apply for a dependent visa. There is no upper age limit on CDVs, however, if the applicant does not meet the required financial requirement, they will need to make an application under Section 9 of Appendix FM which would require them to provide details of income and capital. If this application is successful then it usually means that they are considered sufficiently financially independent enough to live in Britain without requiring public assistance. However, if their finances are insufficient then they may be refused entry into the UK.
What is the (Long Term) D Child Dependent Visa?
The Long-Term D-Child Dependent Visa is a UK visa that allows children to enter and remain in the United Kingdom with their parents. It is usually issued for a period of 5 years, following which it can be extended by an additional five years. Applicants must have been continuously resident in the UK without any absences from the country for more than 180 days during this five-year period. The sponsoring parent will need to earn a minimum amount of money as stipulated by Appendix FM or Part 9 of the Immigration Rules depending on whether they are over 18 or under 18 respectively. Prior to applying for a Long-Term Child Dependent Visa applicants must first make an application for entry clearance as a dependent child under either Appendix FM or Part 9 of the Immigration Rules.
There are certain requirements that must be met by dependent children who wish to apply for residence in Britain. This includes that they must have either entered into a marriage with their sponsoring parent before they turn 18 or be under 18 at the time of application, however, there is no requirement for them to be unmarried. If the child turns 18 between submitting their entry clearance application and receiving a decision then it will not affect their eligibility for this visa category. However, if the CDV applicant turns 18 after receiving an initial decision then they will need to make an application under Section 9 of Appendix FM which would require them to provide details of income and capital. If this application is successful then it usually means that they are considered sufficiently financially independent.
What is the application like to bring a Dependent (Under 18) Child into Ireland?
The process of bringing a dependent child into Ireland is fairly straightforward. The parent or guardian wishing to bring the child into the country must first complete an application form, available from the Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service (INIS) website. They must also provide copies of the child's passport and birth certificate, as well as evidence that they will be able to financially support them. This can include payslips, bank statements or proof of other income. If the child is not traveling with the parent or guardian then a letter of consent must be provided from both parents or guardians. The application must be accompanied by a fee of €60, which is non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
Once the application is complete it will be assessed by the INIS to ensure that all the necessary requirements are met. If the child is deemed eligible then they will be granted entry into Ireland and will be issued with a stamp in their passport which will allow them to stay for up to 3 months. During this time the parent or guardian must apply for a residence permit for the child, which can be done either online or at an Irish embassy or consulate. The residence permit costs €300 and will be valid for 5 years.
If you have any questions about bringing a dependent child into Ireland or would like help completing the application form, please contact us and we will be happy to assist you.
What supporting documentation must I submit to bring my child into Ireland with me?
To bring a dependent child into Ireland with you, you must provide copies of their passport and birth certificate, as well as evidence that you will be able to financially support them. This can include payslips, bank statements or proof of other income. If the child is not traveling with the parent or guardian then a letter of consent must be provided from both parents or guardians. The application must be accompanied by a fee of €60, which is non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
What are the financial requirements to bring under 18 dependents into the UK?
There are no financial requirements to bring an under 18 dependents into the UK. However, the parent or guardian wishing to bring the child must be able to provide evidence that they will be able to support them financially. This can include payslips, bank statements, or proof of other income. If the child is not traveling with the parent or guardian then a letter of consent must be provided from both parents or guardians. The application must be accompanied by a fee of £50, which is non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
What are the financial requirements to bring an under 18 dependents into the UK?
There are no financial requirements to bring an under 18 dependents into the UK. However, the parent or guardian wishing to bring the child must be able to provide evidence that they will be able to support them financially. This can include payslips, bank statements, or proof of other income. If the child is not traveling with the parent or guardian then a letter of consent must be provided from both parents or guardians. The application must be accompanied by a fee of £50, which is non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
Finances and adequate accommodation:
The sponsor parent must also be able to show that he/she has sufficient financial means to support and accommodate the child in the UK without recourse to public funds.
Almost half of the clients come to us at the appeal stage i.e. after the refusal. The main causes of refusal are two-fold:
- The sponsor's parent has been unable to show sole responsibility.
- The lack of evidence of communication to show control.
This is a complex area of UK immigration because unless the application was properly documented with a detailed cover letter explaining the supporting evidence, the Entry Clearance Officers seem keen to refuse such applications. At Immigration Solicitors 4me we encourage the individuals making such applications, to seek prior legal advice to avoid disappointment especially when the current appeal backlog can delay an appeal being listed for hearing at the immigration tribunal to, more than 48 weeks.
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1. TMC Solicitors is a fully SRA-regulated law firm. It has a client base all over the UK and the world.
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