Who is eligible for a UK parent visa?

The Parent visa is for parents of children who are:

• British or Irish citizen
• Settled in the UK with indefinite leave to remain, settled status or permanent residence; or 
• From the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and have pre-settled status.

The broad eligibility requirements for the parent visa are:

• You are living outside the UK at the time of application.
• Your child is living in the UK.
• Your child is under 18 years old at the time of the first application for leave under this route
• Your child is not living an independent life.
• Your child is a British or Irish citizen, is settled in the UK with indefinite leave to remain, settled status or permanent residence, is from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and has pre-settled status.
• Your child is a British or Irish citizen, is settled in the UK with indefinite leave to remain, settled status or permanent residence, is from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and has pre-settled status.
• You must either have:
  • Sole parental responsibility for your child; or 
  • Alternatively, you can provide evidence that you have shared responsibility for your child with another parent or carer who normally lives with the child and you have direct access to the child. The other parent or carer cannot be your partner and must be either a British or Irish citizen, be settled in the UK with permanent residence, settled status or indefinite leave to remain or be from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and have pre-settled status. 
• You have taken, and will continue to take, an active role in your child’s upbringing.
• You will also need to meet the immigration status requirement if you are applying from within the UK.
• You have adequate accommodation in the UK.
• You can adequately maintain (or financially support) yourself and any dependents in the UK without the need to access public funds. 
• You meet the minimum English language requirement unless you are exempt. 
• Note: If you do not meet the English language or financial requirements, you may still be granted a parent visa if you can provide evidence that your child in the UK is a British or Irish citizen or has lived in the UK for at least 7 years and it would be unreasonable for them to leave the UK.

What is the duration of a UK parent visa?

The initial grant for a parent visa is for 2 years and 9 months if applying from outside the UK or 2 years and 6 months if applying from within the UK. You must apply for an extension before that grant expires and if successful this will be for a further period of 2 years and 6 months.

After completing the required period of residence, you may be able to make an application for indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

Remember that immigration laws can change so it is best to seek up to date advice before submitting an application.