Child Visa UK Guide: PBS & Appendix FM Routes

A UK Child Visa allows children to live in the United Kingdom with their parent or parents who are lawfully present or settled in the UK. The visa can be granted under two main legal routes — the Points-Based System (PBS) Dependant route and the Appendix FM (Family Migration) route — each designed for specific parental circumstances. Understanding which route applies is essential to ensure eligibility, compliance and long-term security of residence. Applications for dependent children are assessed in line with Appendix Children (Dependent Child), which sets out general requirements applying across PBS and family routes, alongside the relevant category appendices.

What this article is about:
This guide explains the different UK child visa options under the PBS Dependant and Appendix FM Family routes. It covers who qualifies, how to apply, financial and evidential requirements, and what each route means for settlement and British citizenship. It is aimed at parents, guardians, employers and immigration advisers seeking clear, legally accurate guidance on how children can lawfully join or remain with their families in the UK.

The distinction between the two routes is critical. Children of migrants working or studying in the UK typically apply as dependants under the PBS framework, linked to their parent’s visa. By contrast, children of British citizens, settled persons or those with refugee or humanitarian protection status apply under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules.

Both categories are underpinned by the UK’s statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children under Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009, which requires all immigration decisions affecting children to consider their best interests.

Applicants and sponsors must therefore ensure that the child’s application meets the relevant eligibility criteria, that documentary evidence is comprehensive, and that the child’s living arrangements and dependency are clearly established.

Section A: Overview of the UK Child Visa Routes

1. What is a Child Visa?

A UK Child Visa allows a child under 18 to enter or remain in the UK to live with a parent or parents who have lawful immigration status or settled status. The visa ensures that children can stay with their family in the UK, whether the parent is a skilled worker, a student, a British citizen or a person with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

In practice, the “child visa” is not a single category under the Immigration Rules. Instead, it refers collectively to provisions that allow dependent or family migration for children based on parental circumstances. As a structural point, child dependant applications are assessed against Appendix Children (Dependent Child) in combination with the relevant route appendix (for example, Appendix Skilled Worker or Appendix FM).

2. Main Types of Child Visas

• PBS Child Dependant Visa: For children of individuals holding or applying for a Points-Based System visa, such as the Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Health and Care Worker, Innovator Founder or Student routes. This route allows dependants to accompany or join the main visa holder for the same duration as the parent’s visa.
• Appendix FM Child Visa: For children of British citizens, those with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), settled status or refugee/humanitarian protection. This route is settlement-focused and can lead to ILR and, in appropriate cases, British citizenship.

3. Key Differences Between PBS and Appendix FM Routes

This structural difference affects both initial strategy and long-term planning. For instance, a child under the PBS route cannot independently qualify for ILR unless the main applicant does, whereas a child under Appendix FM may be eligible for settlement in their own right once requirements are met.

4. Age and Dependency Criteria

For immigration purposes, a “child” generally means a person under the age of 18 at the date of application. The Home Office will also assess whether the child is “dependent,” meaning financially and emotionally reliant on their parent(s), and not living an independent life. The Home Office expects dependant children to live with their parent(s) in the UK unless they are attending full-time education at boarding school, college or university.

A child is usually deemed dependent if they live with their parent(s) (unless in education away from home), are financially supported by the parent(s) and are not married, in a civil partnership or living independently. If the child has turned 18 but previously held leave as a dependant, they may continue to extend under the same route, provided dependency continues and the main parent still holds valid leave.

Summary of Section A: The UK Child Visa framework divides applications between the PBS dependant route for children of temporary workers or students, and the Appendix FM route for children of settled or British parents. Understanding the parent’s status and the child’s dependency position — with Appendix Children (Dependent Child) setting the cross-cutting requirements — is critical to identifying which rules apply.

Section B: Child Visa under the PBS Dependant Route

The PBS Child Dependant Visa allows children of migrants holding visas under the Points-Based System to accompany or join their parents in the UK. This includes dependants of Skilled Workers, Health and Care Workers, Global Talent, Innovator Founders, Scale-up Workers and Students. The route ensures that families can remain together during the parent’s lawful period of work or study in the UK.

1. Eligibility Criteria

To qualify under this route, the applicant must be the child of a person who either holds a valid PBS visa or is applying for one at the same time. The Immigration Rules require that:

• The child must be under 18 at the date of application (unless already in the UK with dependant status).
• The child must not be married, in a civil partnership or living an independent life.
• Both parents should ordinarily be lawfully present in the UK, or applying together, unless exceptional circumstances apply.

Applications are assessed in accordance with Appendix Children (Dependent Child), which applies to all dependant applications across PBS routes. Where only one parent is present in the UK, the Home Office may still grant the visa if there is sole responsibility or serious and compelling reasons for the child to join that parent.

2. Parental Status and Immigration Control

The child’s eligibility depends directly on the immigration status of their parent or parents. If both parents are living in the UK under PBS visas, the child can normally apply to join them as a dependant. If one parent is in the UK and the other is not, the Home Office assesses who has primary or sole responsibility for the child’s care.

For example:

• A child of a Skilled Worker and their dependant partner can be included in the same application.
• A child of a Student Visa holder may qualify if both parents are lawfully in the UK, or one parent has sole responsibility.
• If one parent has already been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain but the other is still on a PBS visa, the child’s route depends on the current status and immigration conditions of the parents.

Where the main PBS migrant switches to another immigration route, dependants may also need to apply for new permission under the corresponding category. A child’s continuous residence for ILR is not affected if the main applicant switches between eligible PBS categories, provided the family maintains lawful residence without interruption.

3. Financial and Maintenance Requirements

PBS dependant applications are subject to maintenance requirements to ensure that the family can support themselves without recourse to public funds. As of current Immigration Rules:

• For children applying with a Skilled Worker parent: £315 for the first child and £200 for each additional child, unless the sponsor is an A-rated licensed employer certifying maintenance.
• For dependants of Students: maintenance depends on the parent’s study location — £845 per month (up to 9 months) if studying in London, or £680 per month (up to 9 months) if outside London.

Funds must have been held for at least 28 consecutive days before application, evidenced through bank statements or deposit certificates. Employers or sponsors may alternatively certify maintenance through a written confirmation letter.

4. Application Process and Supporting Documents

Applications can be made either from outside the UK (entry clearance) or within the UK (permission to stay), provided the applicant is not in breach of immigration laws. The process involves:

1. Completing the correct online visa form for dependants.
2. Paying the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
3. Attending a biometric appointment.
4. Uploading or providing evidence of relationship, finances and accommodation.

Common supporting documents include the child’s full birth certificate naming both parents, proof of the parent’s immigration status (visa, BRP or decision letter), evidence of adequate maintenance and accommodation, and parental consent letters where applicable. The Home Office may verify documents or request DNA evidence where parentage is unclear.

5. Length of Stay, Extension and Settlement

The child’s permission to stay will normally mirror that of the main PBS applicant. If the parent’s visa is valid for three years, the child’s visa will be granted for the same duration. Extensions can be made in line with the parent’s further leave, provided dependency continues. Once both parents (or the parent with sole responsibility) have obtained ILR and the child has completed five years’ continuous residence, the child can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

Applications for ILR are assessed under the relevant PBS appendix, depending on the parent’s route. A child born in the UK to PBS migrants does not automatically become British; however, once a parent obtains ILR, the child may apply for ILR as a dependant or register as a British citizen under section 1(3) of the British Nationality Act 1981.

Summary of Section B: The PBS Child Dependant route enables families of skilled workers, students and other temporary migrants to live together in the UK. It provides flexibility for family unity while linking the child’s status to the parent’s visa. Parents must evidence maintenance funds, parental responsibility and living arrangements clearly in accordance with Appendix Children (Dependent Child) and the relevant PBS appendix.

Section C: Child Visa under Appendix FM (Family Route)

The Appendix FM Child Visa route enables children of British citizens, individuals with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), settled status or refugee/humanitarian protection to live with their parent or parents in the United Kingdom. Unlike the PBS route, which is temporary and linked to a parent’s visa, the Appendix FM route is a family settlement route designed for permanent residence and long-term stability. Applications are assessed under Appendix FM in conjunction with Appendix Children (Dependent Child), which sets out the universal requirements for dependent children.

1. Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for a Child Visa under Appendix FM, the applicant must satisfy the following core requirements:

• The child must be under 18 on the date of application (unless already granted leave as a child under Appendix FM).
• The child must not be married, in a civil partnership or living an independent life.
• One or both parents must be:
  • A British citizen, or
  • Present and settled in the UK (holding ILR or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme), or
  • Being granted leave to remain as a partner or parent under Appendix FM, or
  • In the UK with refugee status or humanitarian protection.

Where only one parent is in the UK, the Home Office must be satisfied that the parent has sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing or that there are serious and compelling family or other considerations making exclusion undesirable. A child turning 18 while holding leave as a dependant may continue under Appendix FM if dependency continues and they are not living independently.

2. Sole Responsibility and Serious or Compelling Circumstances

The terms “sole responsibility” and “serious or compelling circumstances” derive from established case law, including TD (Paragraph 297(i)(e): “sole responsibility”) Yemen [2006] UKAIT 00049. Sole responsibility means one parent has continuing control and authority over the child’s upbringing, education and welfare — not merely financial support. It typically applies where one parent remains abroad, and the other exercises full parental control in the UK.

Serious or compelling circumstances apply where refusal would clearly harm the child’s welfare — for example, in cases of neglect, inadequate care arrangements abroad or other humanitarian grounds. Home Office caseworkers will assess evidence such as school records, custody orders and welfare statements to determine who exercises parental responsibility. Where neither parent is in the UK, applications by a relative (e.g. a grandparent) may only succeed in exceptional cases under Appendix FM’s exceptional circumstances provisions.

3. Financial and Accommodation Requirements

The sponsoring parent must demonstrate the ability to support the child without recourse to public funds and provide adequate accommodation. For sponsors applying under the partner route, the minimum income requirement (MIR) applies as follows:

• £18,600 for the sponsoring partner, plus
• £3,800 for the first child, and
• £2,400 for each additional child.

Evidence must comply with Appendix FM-SE (Specified Evidence) and may include payslips, bank statements, self-employment accounts, tax returns or proof of savings held for at least six months. For sponsors with refugee or humanitarian protection, the MIR does not apply, though adequate maintenance and housing must still be shown. Accommodation is assessed under the Housing Act 1985 to ensure there is no statutory overcrowding.

Where a sponsor cannot meet the minimum income requirement, Appendix FM GEN.3.1 allows the Home Office to consider exceptional circumstances. The decision-maker must assess whether refusal would result in unjustifiably harsh consequences or breach Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. In such cases, the welfare and best interests of the child remain the primary consideration.

4. Application Process and Evidence

The process for applying under Appendix FM includes:

1. Submitting an online family visa application form.
2. Paying the relevant visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
3. Providing biometric data (fingerprints and photograph).
4. Uploading documents proving relationship, finances and accommodation.

Typical evidence includes the child’s full birth certificate naming both parents, proof of the parent’s UK immigration status, evidence of relationship and dependency (school letters, correspondence, photos), and proof of financial maintenance and accommodation. Written consent from both parents is required where applicable. Applications may be made from inside or outside the UK provided the child is not in breach of immigration laws. Standard decisions take about 12 weeks, with priority services (if available) within five working days.

If refused, applicants generally have a right of appeal on human rights grounds under Article 8 ECHR, arguing that refusal would disproportionately interfere with family life. The tribunal will weigh the evidence, considering the child’s welfare under Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009.

5. Settlement and British Citizenship

Children under Appendix FM may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years of continuous residence, provided the parent(s) are settled or applying for ILR simultaneously. Once ILR is granted, a child may register as a British citizen if:

• They were born in the UK and a parent becomes settled or British (under section 1(3) of the British Nationality Act 1981), or
• They were born abroad and are eligible for registration under section 3(1) of the same Act at the Home Secretary’s discretion.

In all cases, the Home Office must consider the child’s best interests under Section 55 of the 2009 Act. Successful applicants gain a stable path to settlement and citizenship, reinforcing long-term family life in the UK.

Summary of Section C: The Appendix FM route offers a long-term pathway for children to live with parents or guardians in the UK. It is founded on principles of family unity and human rights, leading to ILR and citizenship. Sponsors must meet financial and accommodation standards, or show exceptional circumstances under GEN.3.1 if these cannot be met, supported by clear documentary evidence of parental responsibility and dependency.

Section D: Common Issues and Legal Considerations

Child visa applications, whether under the PBS Dependant or Appendix FM routes, are heavily evidence-driven. Even when eligibility appears straightforward, refusals frequently arise from inconsistent documentation, unclear parental responsibility or insufficient proof of dependency. This section highlights the most common legal and procedural issues and how the Home Office addresses them under UK immigration law.

1. Proof of Relationship and DNA Evidence

One of the most critical elements in a child visa application is establishing the biological or adoptive relationship between the applicant and sponsoring parent. Applicants should provide the child’s full birth certificate naming both parents. If the child is adopted, a legal adoption certificate recognised under UK law is required. Where the relationship is uncertain or documentation is missing, the Home Office may request DNA testing to confirm biological parentage.

DNA testing is voluntary but refusal to provide it without reasonable cause can lead to refusal if the relationship cannot otherwise be verified. In cases involving stepchildren or guardianship, applicants must show legal responsibility or sole parental control through court orders or official documentation. The Home Office assesses both legal and factual control, focusing on the genuineness of the relationship rather than its formal recognition alone.

2. Parental Consent and Custody Disputes

Parental consent is a mandatory requirement unless the sponsoring parent has sole legal responsibility or a valid custody order. The Home Office expects written consent from both parents confirming they agree to the child’s relocation or residence in the UK. Where a dispute exists, officials consider:

• Existing court orders (UK or overseas) establishing custody or guardianship;
• The child’s welfare and safety in their current environment;
• Whether relocation to the UK aligns with the child’s best interests.

If one parent opposes relocation but the other holds sole parental responsibility, the Home Office generally honours the custody arrangement if legally valid under relevant jurisdictional law. The overriding principle remains the best interests of the child under Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009.

3. Age Disputes and Independent Living

Children aged 16 or 17 face higher scrutiny to confirm dependency. The Home Office must be satisfied that they are not living an independent life — i.e., not financially self-sufficient, married or living apart from parents. Evidence such as school or college attendance, financial support and cohabitation helps prove dependency.

In rare cases, the Home Office may question the child’s claimed age, particularly in humanitarian or protection cases. When an age dispute arises, additional identity evidence may be requested, or an age assessment may be referred to a local authority. While uncommon for family visa cases, the process is governed by established child welfare and safeguarding procedures.

4. Refusals and Appeal Rights

Common reasons for refusal include:

• Insufficient evidence of relationship or dependency;
• Failure to meet financial or accommodation requirements;
• Inconsistent documentation or missing parental consent;
• Concerns over deception or misrepresentation.

For refusals under Appendix FM, applicants generally have a right of appeal on human rights grounds under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). For PBS dependants, appeal rights are limited, but applicants may request an administrative review under Appendix AR if they believe a caseworking error was made.

Where human rights issues are engaged, the tribunal will consider whether refusal would disproportionately interfere with family life, giving weight to the child’s welfare as required by Section 55. Legal representatives should ensure that family life arguments and the child’s best interests are explicitly raised in both applications and appeals.

Summary of Section D: Child visa applications often hinge on evidence quality rather than eligibility alone. Parents should ensure they can demonstrate dependency, parental consent and adequate maintenance with robust documentation. Custody and relationship evidence must be clear and consistent. Where refusals occur, appeals under Article 8 ECHR or administrative review under Appendix AR provide avenues for redress, especially where the welfare of the child is central to the case.

FAQs

What is the age limit for a UK child visa?

A child must generally be under 18 at the date of application. However, a child who has already been granted leave as a dependant may continue to extend their permission after turning 18, provided they remain financially and emotionally dependent and are not living an independent life.

Can a child apply for a UK visa without both parents?

Yes, but only in limited situations. The Home Office must be satisfied that the sponsoring parent has sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing or that there are serious and compelling reasons why the child should join that parent in the UK. Supporting evidence such as custody orders, welfare reports and consent letters is required to show parental control and responsibility.

How long does a UK child visa take to process?

Processing times depend on where and how the application is made. Standard applications are usually decided within 8 to 12 weeks, while priority or super priority services (where available) can provide decisions in around 5 working days. Complex cases involving custody, sole responsibility or missing documentation may take longer.

Can a child visa holder work or study in the UK?

Child dependants are permitted to attend school in the UK without restriction. Work rights depend on age and category. In most cases, child dependants are not allowed to take full-time employment but may take part-time work or internships if they reach the legal working age and their visa conditions allow it. Study is fully permitted in both PBS and Appendix FM routes.

Does a child visa lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?

Yes. Under the PBS dependant route, a child may qualify for ILR once the parent becomes settled and the child has lived lawfully in the UK for five years. Under the Appendix FM route, the child may qualify for ILR after five years of continuous residence, provided the sponsoring parent is settled or applying for ILR at the same time. Once settled, a child may also be eligible to register as a British citizen under the British Nationality Act 1981.

Summary of FAQs: Child visa applications are complex and depend on clear evidence of dependency and family structure. Understanding the relevant visa route, timeframes and long-term settlement rights helps ensure applications are correctly prepared and processed.

Conclusion

The UK’s immigration framework offers two principal visa routes for children depending on their parents’ immigration status. The PBS Child Dependant route supports families of skilled workers, students and other migrants temporarily living in the UK, while the Appendix FM route serves children of British citizens, settled individuals or those with refugee or humanitarian protection.

Both routes are underpinned by the statutory duty to consider the welfare and best interests of the child under Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009. Identifying the correct route is fundamental — it determines not only immediate eligibility but also the long-term immigration outcomes available to the family.

Parents and guardians must ensure that each requirement is carefully met: eligibility, dependency, parental responsibility, and financial maintenance. Evidence should be consistent and comprehensive, with attention given to both Appendix Children (Dependent Child) and the relevant category appendix, such as Appendix FM or Appendix Skilled Worker. Where financial or evidential barriers exist, Appendix FM GEN.3.1 provides scope for consideration of exceptional or compassionate circumstances to ensure that the child’s best interests remain paramount.

In practice, the child visa process is both a legal and emotional journey. The quality of documentation, clarity of relationship evidence, and alignment with immigration rules often determine success. Once granted, these visas offer families the opportunity to live together securely in the UK and progress towards Indefinite Leave to Remain and, ultimately, British citizenship.

Given the complexity of the Immigration Rules and their frequent updates, professional advice can help ensure that applications are accurate, compliant and supported by the strongest possible evidence. Taking an informed, structured approach from the outset is the best way to secure long-term stability for the family within the UK immigration system.

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