How To Apply For Parent Of A Child Student Visa

The Parent of a Child Student Visa is a UK short-term visa that allows one of the parents to accompany their child to the UK. The youngster must be between the ages of four and eleven and attend a UK independent school on a UK youngster Student Visa.

Who Can Apply for a Parent of a Child Student Visa?

Parents of children with or applying for a child student visa may apply for a Parent of a Child Student Visa. Depending on your nationality, a visa may be required to enter the United Kingdom.

Citizens of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland will require a visa to study in the UK for more than six months from January 1, 2021, as will their parents. In addition, they may need to apply for the UK’s points-based immigration system.

What Are the Conditions for a Parent of a Child Student Visa?

To be eligible for a Parent of a Child Student Visa, you must meet the following requirements:

• Your child is under 12 years old.
• Your child is applying for a child student.
• The other parent is not in the UK and is not seeking to go there.
• You maintain a second home outside of the UK.
• You do not intend to work or study during your stay.
• You intend to live with the child student during your stay.
• You intend to leave the UK after the visa expiration date.
• You have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds.
• You have enough money for your return or onward journey.

Financial Requirements for a Parent of a Child Student Visa

Regarding financial requirements, you:

• Need to have £1,560 for each month of your intended stay in the UK for up to nine months.
• Need to have £625 for each month of your intended stay in the UK for up to nine months for any child under your care other than the child student.
• Will need to have the money for at least 28 days prior to the application date.

How to Apply for a Parent of a Child Student Visa?

When applying for a parent of a child student visa, you need to complete the following steps:

Complete the Online Application Form
As long as you meet the visa requirements, you can start your online application. You can go back to it any time you want to add or remove information.

• Complete the Document Checklist

When applying, you are required to submit a few documents. The required documents are:

• A current passport or another valid travel document.
• Evidence that you have a permanent home in your country.
• Your tuberculosis test results, if you are from a country where you have to take the TB test.
• Evidence of financial means.
• A formal letter of employment. Issued by your employer in your home country and containing information about your employment period, wage, job position, and company’s contact.
• If you are self-employed, you need documents proving that you are a business owner.
• A letter of employment confirming that you can leave work and travel to the UK.
• Evidence of financial undertaking by a third party (if applicable). This applies when a UK resident covers your maintenance costs, and he/she is a relative, friend, or business. The documents you can use include:
• Bank statements of the third party.
• Employment letter from the employer of the third party.
• Proof of income if the third party is self-employed.
• A letter from the educational institution if you are a student. The letter must state that you are a full-time student at the institution and that you are granted leave.
• Proof of relationship to the child with a child student visa. You can submit his/her birth certificate.

Note: Depending on the circumstances, you might require extra documents and certified translations of any of the documents that are not in English or Welsh. The full set of documents will be presented to you throughout your online application procedure.

• Schedule a Visa Appointment

Find the nearest visa application center and book an appointment. It is necessary to schedule an appointment months before your intended trip to the UK because, depending on your country, a visa application center may be located in another country. Find the UK visa application center for your country of residence here.

• Pay the Visa Application Fee and the Healthcare Surcharge

A parent with a child student visa costs £516. You must also pay the healthcare surcharge when submitting your application. It costs £624 per year. You pay these fees as part of the online application process.

• Attend the Visa Appointment

At the appointment, coupled with the relevant documents, you will have to give your biometrics, which comprises a photograph and a scan of your fingerprints. At the appointment, you will go through an interview and answer questions detailing your route to the UK.

• Wait for an Answer

You should receive a decision on the Parent of a Child Student Visa within three weeks of submitting your application. You will receive a letter or email containing the decision on your application.

• Processing Time for a UK Parent of a Child Student Visa

The normal processing period for a UK Parent of a Child Student Visa is three weeks. However, if there is a high volume of applications at that time, it may take longer (six to seven weeks) to receive a judgment on your visa application, which is why you should apply sooner.

When applying from abroad, apply at least three months before your trip to the UK. When applying from within the UK for a visa extension or to switch to a Parent of a Child Student Visa, you must do so at least four weeks before the visa expires. You can apply up to six months before your anticipated travel date.

• How Long Can You Stay in the UK With a Parent of a Child Student Visa?

A Parent of a Child Student Visa is normally valid for 6–12 months. You can extend your visa for another 12 months, till your child becomes 12 years old. However, you will receive a visa with a reduced validity period and no possibility of renewal if:

• Your child is going to be 12 in the next 12 months.
• Your child will finish school in the next 12 months.

How Much Does a Parent of a Child Student Visa Cost?

The price for a UK Parent of a Child Student Visa is £516. In addition, you must pay the healthcare fee, which is £624 annually. However, if you desire to renew your visa, you must pay £1,033/£1,643 for a standard or premium service.

• Can I Extend the Parent of a Child Student Visa?

You can extend the visa as long as you and the child student continue to meet the conditions. You must request for an extension before your visa expires, and you may stay in the UK until you receive a decision. When you renew your visa, you can stay in the UK until your child’s visa expires or they become 12 years old.

• What You Can and Cannot Do in the UK With a Parent of a Child Student Visa?

A Parent of a Child Student Visa allows you to remain in the United Kingdom with your child until they reach the age of 12, as well as undertake volunteer work. However, you can’t:

• Do paid work.
• Enroll in a study program.
• Open a business.
• Access UK public funds and benefits.
• Bring other family members with you.
•  Switch to a different category of visa.