Your dependent child can join you in the UK
Your dependent child can join you in the UK, if you are here on a Student visa.
Your dependent child can apply from outside the UK, seeking permission to enter, both where you are already in the UK as a Student, and where you are applying at the same time for entry clearance on the Student route.
You must be a Student who has received an award from a Government and has, or is applying for, permission to study on a full-time course of 6 months or longer, or a full-time Student who has, or is applying for, permission to study a postgraduate level course of 9 months or longer at a higher education provider with a track record of compliance, or a Student who has permission on the Doctorate Extension Scheme.
If you are not, then you must be a Student who has (or had within the last 3 months before the date of application) permission to study on a full-time course of 6 months or longer, and you are now applying for permission to study a full-time course of 6 months or longer. In this case, either your child must already have (or had within the last 3 months before the date of application) permission as a dependent child of yours, or your child must have been born since your last grant of permission (where you and your child are applying at the same time).
If the above requirements are not met, your child must instead have been born during your current period of permission to study a full-time course of 6 months or longer (but the child must apply for permission during that period).
Alternatively, if you have permission to re-sit examinations or repeat a module of a full- time course of 6 months or longer, your child must have been born either during your original period of permission, or during the period of permission granted for re-sitting examinations or to repeat a module.
If none of the above are met, your child must have been born no more than 3 months after the expiry of your most recent permission and must be making an application for entry clearance within 6 months of the expiry of your most recent permission.
The child may be your child or your partner’s child.
Both parents must apply at the same time as your child or have already permission to be in the UK other than as a visitor, unless you or your partner is the sole surviving parent or has sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing. If these requirements are not met, the decision maker may be satisfied that there are serious and compelling reasons to grant the child entry clearance or permission to stay with you or your partner.
If the child was born in the UK to you (the Student) or your partner, a full UK birth certificate showing the names of both parents must be provided.
If the child is aged under 18 on the date of application, there must be suitable arrangements for the child’s care and accommodation in the UK which must comply with relevant UK legislation and regulations.
The child must be under the age of 18 at the date of application, unless they were last granted permission as a dependent child of yours. If aged 16 or over on the date of application, the child must not be leading an independent life.
If your child applies for entry clearance, or has been in the UK for less than 12 months on the date of application, either you or your child must have funds of at least £845 per month (if you study in London) or £680 per month (if you study outside London).
The funds must be in addition to the funds required to you, as a Student, to meet the financial requirement, and in addition to the funds required to meet the financial requirement for any dependent partner or child who is applying at the same time, or is already in the UK as a dependent partner or child of yours.
Unless your child relies on financial sponsorship from a Government or international scholarship agency that covers the living costs of your partner and of yours, as a Student, your child must show that the required level of funds have been held for a 28-day period.
If your child applies for permission to stay and has been living in the UK with permission for 12 months or longer on the date of application, your child will meet the financial requirement and do not need to show funds.
If the decision maker is satisfied that all the requirements are met, the application will be granted. Your dependent child will be granted permission which will end on the same date as whichever of your child’s parents’ permission ends first.
Your child will have no access to public funds (will not be able to claim benefits), and will be permitted to work (including as self-employed or voluntary) except in some circumstances (for example, where you have been granted less than 9 months’ permission or where you study a course below degree level). Your child will not be allowed to take employment as a professional sportsperson or sports coach. Your child will be permitted to study.
You child may be required to register with the police.
If the application is refused, your child can apply for an Administrative Review.
If you want me to assist your dependent child in the process of applying for permission to enter or stay in the UK, feel free to contact me. Please note that I am an accredited immigration adviser, not an employee of the UK Visas and Immigration. I charge fees for the advice provided.