Family Visa
Parent of a Child in the UK 2026
If your child is a British citizen or settled in the UK and you have sole or shared parental responsibility.
Application fee
£1,846
NHS surcharge
£1,035/year
Processing time
8–24 weeks
Who is eligible?
- Your child is a British citizen or settled person in the UK
- You have sole or shared parental responsibility
- You have direct access to the child
- Active, genuine parental relationship evidenced by contact
How to apply — step by step
- 1Gather evidence: birth certificate, court orders, evidence of contact with your child
- 2Apply at gov.uk/uk-family-visa
- 3Pay £1,846 fee and Immigration Health Surcharge
- 4Processing is 8–24 weeks
Key requirements at a glance
- Child must be British citizen or settled
- Sole or shared parental responsibility
- Active parental relationship
Frequently asked questions
Can I work on a Parent of a Child visa?▾
Yes, there are no restrictions on working in the UK on this visa.
How long does the visa last?▾
2.5 years initially, extendable for a further 2.5 years. After 5 years you can apply for ILR.
Next steps
Official application
Apply for the Parent of a Child in the UK on GOV.UK
All visa applications are processed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) via the official gov.uk website.
Apply on GOV.UK