Child Benefit UK: Can Immigrants Claim It? (2026 Guide)

Child Benefit is a regular payment from the UK government for people responsible for bringing up a child. It is worth up to £1,331 per year for a first child (2026/27). Whether you can claim it as an immigrant depends entirely on your immigration status — not your nationality or how long you have lived in the UK.

Who can claim Child Benefit in the UK?

To claim Child Benefit you must: be responsible for a child under 16 (or under 20 in approved education/training), and be present and ordinarily resident in the UK. You must also not be subject to immigration control — which is the key test for immigrants.

What does "subject to immigration control" mean?

You are "subject to immigration control" if your visa has a No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) condition. Most work visas (including Skilled Worker), student visas, and family visas have NRPF conditions. This means you cannot claim most means-tested benefits including Universal Credit, Housing Benefit — but Child Benefit is different.

Visa holders who CAN claim Child Benefit

• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settled status holders — full access to benefits
• EU/EEA nationals with EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) Settled Status
• Refugees and people with Humanitarian Protection
• British citizens
• Some visa holders whose visa does not include NRPF — check your BRP/eVisa conditions

Visa holders who CANNOT claim Child Benefit

• Skilled Worker visa holders (NRPF condition applies)
• Student visa holders
• Family visas (Spouse/Partner visa) — NRPF applies until settlement
• Graduate Route visa holders
• Visitor visa holders
• EU/EEA nationals with Pre-Settled Status only (not Settled Status)

How much is Child Benefit in 2026/27?

• First child: £25.60 per week (£1,331 per year)
• Each additional child: £16.95 per week (£881 per year)
• High Income Child Benefit Charge: applies if either parent earns over £60,000