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If your child is in the UK under a student visa or child visa, you might need a visa to stay with him/her. The visa gets called Parent of a Child Student visa. It allows parents to legally stay with their children in the UK.

This article explains who needs a Parent of a Child Student visa, requirements, the application process, FAQs, and more.

Do you need a Parent of a Child Student visa?

Whether you need a Parent of a Child Student visa depends on:

  • Your nationality
  • The lengths of your stay

The EEA and Switzerland nationals don’t need a Parent of a Child Student visa. Parents can stay in the UK with a passport.

There is no definite list of which countries need and don’t need a Parent of a Child Student visa. The ultimate guide is the UK visa and immigration website. The website has a tool that tells you whether you need a visa or not. The source is the British government. So there is no higher reference.

When you enter the site, put your nationality. It must be the one that you travel with its passport. Then, the purpose of your trip comes up. In this case, you have to choose: “Stay with your child.” Now the website tells you whether you need a visa or not.

For example, citizens of South Korea don’t need a visa for up to six months. They can enter the UK with their passport and stay for up to six months. But they have to hold the documents you need for a visa to show at the UK Border Control. See the section below to see the requirements for a UK visa.

Who needs to apply for a UK Parent of a Child Student visa?

What are the rules and regulations over the Parent of a Child Student visa?

There are some activities you have no authorization to do under a Parent of a Child Student visa. They are as follows:

  • Receive public funds.
  • Apply or switch to another UK visa.
  • Get a paid job in the country.
  • Bring any other family members to the UK.
  • Apply for Permanent Residence
  • Study

Do you want to know how a doctor can move to the Uk? Read this article. 

Who is eligible for a Parent of a Child Student visa?

Not everyone can apply for the Parent of a Child Student visa. The parent must fulfill the eligibility principles. Bear in mind that the British government is strict with its rules. It is true for visa obligations. Remember that you can work to improve your conditions and meet the principles.

Eligibility principles for Parent

Funds

You must have enough money or funds to support yourself in the UK. The funds must cover all of your expenses. The financial requirement is also for the child. You must have enough for yourself as a parent and the child. Also, you must be able to support the relatives staying in your home country. It is if you have anyone in your home country.

Remember, the officials need proof of financial independence.

Being able to leave the UK

You have to hold enough money for your return journey. It must cover every expense.

Leaving intention

You must have an intention to leave the UK when your visa expires. You can not stay longer than the visa allows. Provide proof of it to the officials.

Accommodation

You must have a home outside the UK.

Eligibility principle for child

Age

The child must be under 12 years of age.

School

The child must study at a fee-paying day school in the UK. If the child is about to start education, the parent is still eligible.

Visa

The child must have a UK child student visa.

What are the requirements for the Parent of a Child Student visa?

The requirements for a UK Parent of a Child Student visa are as follows:

Passport

Your passport to enter the UK:

  • Mustn’t be older than ten years.
  • Hold one blank page (at minimum).
  • Not being damaged physically.

Photos

Submit two photos that are:

  • Identical.
  • Not older than three months.
  • In a clear white background.
  • Your face covers up to 80% of it.
  • With nothing unusual that blocks your face.

TB test result

A few countries need to take a TB test to enter the UK. If you are among them, take a test at a verified center. Provide the result of the test at the time of application.

Proof to have enough funds

One of the essential parts of the documents is proof to have enough funds. Focus on this part.

  • Bank statements for the latest three months to the date of the application.
  • Payslips.
  • Proof income from rented property.

Proof of sponsorship

If s sponsor or institution is covering your expenses, provide his/her:

  • Bank statements
  • Payslips.
  • Employment letter from the employer (if employed).
  • Proof of income as a self-employed.
  • Commitment letter that states the sponsor supports your expenses in the UK.

Acceptance letter

Provide a formal letter from the British school that approves the child’s registration. It must also indicate that you have paid part or all of the tuition.

Proof of relationship

Provide proof of relationship with the child. It is your

birth certificate. You might need to provide:

  • The child’s birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate

Previous travel documents

Previous visas or passport if you have any.

Proof of accommodation

Provide proof of the place you will stay in the UK.

Attention: There are different requirements based on your job status.

The officials might require further documents. It depends on your condition. Bear it to your mind.

How to apply for a Parent of a Child Student visa?

Follow the below procedures to apply for the Parent of a Child Student visa:

1. Who needs a visa?

As the article covered above, you might be exempt from a Parent of a Child Student visa. The best way to make sure of it is the UK Visa and Immigration website. It has a tool that says whether you need a visa or not. See the section above to know how to use it.

2. Are you eligible?

You need a visa? Fine, but are you eligible for it? Every year, thousands of applications get rejected due to ineligibility. You shouldn’t be one of them. So know the rules and try to change your conditions.

3. Application

The application process for a Parent of a Child Student visa is online. You have to apply to the UK visa and Immigration website.

Before you enter the site, you need an email address. You need the email address to make an account on the website. Also, you might need to visit the site later on.

You must have access to the email and know the password. Visa applicants recommend writing the details of it in a safe place.

There you have to choose a place to submit requirements and your biometrics. Pick it with care. See if you can travel to the center or not.

4. Requirements

Collect all the requirements for the Parent of a Child Student visa. See the section above to figure out what they are. You should know it might take a long time to gather every piece. So, it isn’t a bad idea to start this step earlier than the other ones.

Another point with the requirements is the details. Look at the small, unimportant details. Everything with them counts in the application.

5. Submitting biometrics

Make an appointment with the British embassy or the visa center. You find out where to submit while completing the online form. Get there in person and bring all the supporting documents. You could not wear a T-shirt for your meeting with the visa center. Instead, try something a bit formal.

Submit all the supporting documents to the officials. Then pay the fee for visa processing. They might ask you questions about the nature of your visit to the UK. Be honest and give true answers.

6. Processing

Once you complete everything with the visa center, wait until the officials process your visa. When they issue it:

  • They post it to you, or
  • You have to pick it up from the center.

7. UK Border Control

When you enter the UK, you have to go through the UK Border Control. The officials will check your documents and passport. It must hold the visa and valid for the entire duration of your stay.

What is the Processing time for a Parent of a Child Student visa?

The processing time for a Parent of a Child Student visa could be from 1-3 months. It all depends on:

  • Your case.
  • The country you apply from.
  • The time of the year you apply. The processing time is longer during the peak seasons. Also, the center might accept applicants due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Whether you have submitted a complete list of documents.
  • If the visa officials require further documents.

The earliest time you can apply for the Parent of a Child Student visa is three months to the date you wish to enter the UK. It would be better to apply as soon as you can. You don’t know what unexpected things might happen.

Is a faster decision possible?

The visa processing center might offer a faster processing time. Providing that you are in a hurry, you could pay more to get a reply sooner. The officials will work on your application sooner than others, and you don’t have to wait a long time.

How much does it cost to apply for a Parent of a Child Student visa?

The UK Parent of a Child Student visa would cost you £516. Ask the center whether they accept cash or credit card.

How long can you stay in the UK under the Parent of a Child Student visa?

The validity of a Parent of a Child Student visa is 12 months. When it is about to expire, you can extend it for another 12 months.

You may not get 12 months extension if:

  • The child will have his/her 12th birthday in the next 12 months.
  • The child will finish his/her education in the next 12 months.

When do I have to leave the UK?

When your child becomes 12, you can not stay with him/her. This is when your visa expires, and you have to leave the UK. Remember that you may not extend your visa when the child is 12.

Providing that your child will stay after being 12, you as the parent have to make arrangements for his/her stay.

Let’s sum up…

You have a child under 12 studying in the UK. You as his/her parent can join or accompany him/her/ To do so; you need a Parent of a Child Student visa. It allows you to stay with your child and stop worrying. But you have to be eligible to apply for it.

The text covered all about it. It explained who needs and doesn’t need it, requirements, the application, FAQs, and more.

Visa applicants request you to share your experience with them. It would help them avoid mistakes. You could write them in the comment section below.

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