Child Visitor Visa

If you or your child want to come to the UK for less than six months, you can apply under the Child Visitor category of the Standard Visitor Visa. This visa also permits you to study whilst here.

To come to the UK as a Child Visitor you must be able to show that you:

• are under the age of 18 years at the time of applying;
• have suitable arrangements in place (i.e. for your travel, care maintenance etc) and can disclose full details of them;
• have a parent or guardian in your home country who is accountable for your care and can offer their address and landline contact number;
• if accepted on a course of study, are at a learning institute that is on the register of education and training providers. It cannot be state funded.

Child Visitors who are visa nationals must have a valid Entry Clearance which identifies the adult accompanying the child visitor, or states that the child visitor is unaccompanied. If they do not have proof that they are able to travel alone, the Child Visitor Visa will only be valid if the named adult physically escorts the child.

If you/your child want to study in the UK for a period longer than six months, you can apply for a Tier 4 Child Student Visa under the points-based-system.

If you (or your child) visit the UK as a child visitor you are only allowed to stay for a maximum of six months. If you were granted leave to enter the UK for three months then this will be noted in your passport.

If you wish to apply for a Child Visitor extension you can do so by using the FLR(O) application.

You are not allowed to stay in the UK as a visitor for more than six months and you are expected to return to your home country when your visa expires.

You may appeal a decision to refuse entry clearance if you are visiting a close family member. An immigration officer will say which members of the family qualify for this appeal.

We recommend that you apply for Entry Clearance in your country of residence before travelling to the UK.

At IAS, our team of expert advisers can help assist and support you through each stage of your visa application process.

Our services include:

• advising you on your child’s eligibility under the UK immigration rules;
• assessing and collating your documents, ensuring they are sufficient for the application;
• professionally completing and compiling all necessary paperwork;
• producing a tailored Letter of Representation highlighting the merits of your case, referring to supporting; documentation and citing UK immigration law;
• liaising with the Home Office until a decision is reached.

Contact us now to speak to one of our immigration lawyers.