The Parent of a British Child Visa route is designed for individuals who have parental responsibility or access to their British child after the breakdown of their relationship with the child’s other parent. This visa route is available for applicants who:

• Have sole parental responsibility for their British or qualifying non-British child.
• Do not live with their British child (who resides with a British or settled parent or carer) but have direct access to the child as agreed with the parent/carer or ordered by a family court.
• For leave to remain applications, applicants are the parent with whom the British child primarily lives, rather than the child’s other parent who is British or settled.

Yes, you can apply for a UK visa as the parent of a British child if you are no longer in a partnership with the child’s other parent, and you either live with or have direct contact with the child. You must meet the requirements outlined in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules.

How Long is the Initial Parent of a British Child Visa Granted?

• If applying from outside the UK, the initial visa is granted for 33 months.
• If applying from within the UK, the visa is granted for 30 months.

You can apply for a renewal of your Parent of a British Child Visa within 28 days before your current leave expires.

Yes, you can apply under the Priority or Super Priority Service to expedite your application.

• For applications from outside the UK, the Priority Service allows for a decision within 30 working days.
• For in-country applications, you can use the Super Priority Service to receive a decision within 24 hours.

To qualify for this visa, you must have sole or shared parental responsibility for your child. If you share parental responsibility, the other parent must not be your partner. They must either:

• Be a British or Irish citizen,
• Have settled status in the UK (e.g., ILR, settled status, or proof of permanent residence),
• Be from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein and hold pre-settled status living before 1 January 2021 in the UK.

If the child lives with their other parent or carer, you must have in-person access to the child, as agreed with the other parent or as determined by a court order. You must also demonstrate that you actively participate in the child’s upbringing.

Applicants must demonstrate they can adequately maintain and accommodate themselves and any dependants in the UK without recourse to public funds. Additionally, you must provide proof of adequate accommodation, ensuring that:

• The property is not overcrowded.
• It complies with public health regulations.

Yes, the Parent of a British Child Visa permits full-time employment or self-employment while residing in the UK.

You can apply for the extension 28 days before completing 30 months of residence in the UK. At Aden & Co Solicitors, our expert family visa solicitors can expedite your renewal application, ensuring a decision within 24 hours via the Super Priority Service.

Yes, you can switch to a Parent of a British Child Visa from inside the UK using the Super Priority Service for a decision within 24 hours. At Aden & Co Solicitors, we are registered with the Home Office and UKVI to offer Super Priority Service, ensuring fast processing and decision-making on your application.

Yes, it is common for individuals to switch from a spouse or partner visa to a Parent of a British Child Visa if the relationship with the other parent breaks down irretrievably. If the other parent prevents contact with the child, you may apply for a Child Arrangements Order through the family court, which can serve as the basis for your visa switch. Note that switching to the Parent of a British Child Visa resets the timeline for ILR, and your time spent under the spouse visa will not count toward the 5-year ILR period.

You can apply for an extension or renewal of your Parent of a Child Visa (5-Year Route) through the Super Priority Service, allowing you to receive a decision on your application within 24 hours.

As expert family visa solicitors based in London, Aden & Co Solicitors are registered with the Home Office, UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI), and their commercial partner UKVCAS Sopra Steria, to offer the Super Priority Service for Parent of a British Child Visa applications. By opting for the Super Priority Service, your visa application will be processed and a decision made within 24 hours.

The term “parent” includes:

• Biological parent.
• Legal parent, such as the birth mother (even if not genetically related), spouse or civil partner of the birth mother, or person with a parental order under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008.
• Adoptive parent, either recognised under UK law or with adoption formally completed in the UK.

At Aden & Co Solicitors, our experienced team of family visa lawyers can guide you through every step of your Parent of a British Child Visa application. Contact us today for expert advice and legal assistance.