If you are a child under 18 living overseas and you have a parent or other relative who is either settled or applying for settlement in the UK, then you may be eligible to apply for a child visa to enter and remain in the UK indefinitely.

If you are the child under 18 of a parent who has, or is applying for, limited leave as a partner (spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner) of a British citizen or settled person then you may be eligible for a child visa for limited leave in line with your parent.

Requirements for Indefinite Leave to Enter the UK as a Child

An application for indefinite leave to enter the UK as the child of a settled parent or relative may be appropriate in the following circumstances:

• Where the child is coming to the UK to live with both parents and either:
• Both parents are British citizens or have indefinite leave to remain, or are being admitted on the same occasion for settlement; or
• One parent is a British citizen or has indefinite leave to remain, and the other parent is applying to come to the UK.

• Where the child is coming to the UK to live with only one parent and either:
• One parent is a British citizen or has indefinite leave to remain, and the other parent is dead; or
• One parent is a British citizen or has indefinite leave to remain, and that parent has had sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing; or
• One parent is a British citizen or has indefinite leave to remain, and there are serious and compelling family or other considerations that mean that it would be undesirable to exclude the child from the UK.

• Where the child is coming to live with another relative who is not their parent and the relative is a British citizen or has indefinite leave to remain, and there are serious and compelling family or other considerations that mean that it would be undesirable to exclude the child from the UK.

Additionally, the child will have to show that they satisfy the following requirements:

• They are related to the parent or other relative as claimed; and
• They are under 18 at the date of application; and
• They are not married, in a civil partnership or leading an independent life; and
• There is adequate accommodation and maintenance for the child, without relying on public funds