A Child Dependent Visa allows a child to join or remain with a parent in the UK where the family route requirements are met. The application needs careful alignment with the parent’s status, route to settlement, financial evidence and care arrangements.
Also known as applying as a child under the UK family visa route.
Reviewed by the Morgan Smith Immigration team — IAA-regulated UK immigration specialists. Last reviewed 2026-07-14.
TL;DR
The Child Dependent Visa is for a child joining or staying with a parent in the UK under the family route. The headline 2026 application fee is £2,064 from outside the UK, the child’s stay normally follows the parent’s permission and the usual decision time is 12 weeks outside the UK or 8 weeks inside the UK.
£2,064
Overseas application fee
Parent’s leave
Usual stay length
12 weeks
Typical decision (outside UK)
What is the Child Dependent Visa?
A Child Dependent Visa is the route for a child to join or stay with a parent in the UK under the family visa system. It can apply where the child was born in the UK or born overseas, but the requirements differ depending on age, parental responsibility and the parent’s immigration status.
The child must usually live with the parent unless living away from home in full-time education, and must not be married or in a civil partnership. Children aged 18 or over can only apply in limited circumstances, usually where their family permission started when they were under 18.
For families, the practical focus is route-matching: the child’s application should follow the correct form, financial evidence and settlement path connected to the parent’s own application or permission.
Eligibility Requirements
You must satisfy all three conditions to qualify for the Child Dependent Visa.
📄
Parent’s UK Status
Eligibility depends on the parent’s immigration position and whether the parent is applying, extending or already has permission in the UK. The form and evidence can differ depending on the parent’s route.
💼
Child’s Living Arrangements
The child must normally live with the parent, unless they are living away from home in full-time education. The child must not be married or in a civil partnership.
£
Financial Evidence
Where the child applies separately, proof of the parent’s income is usually required. If the parent has a partner family visa, the relevant family-route financial requirement may need to be evidenced.
What You Can and Cannot Do
Your rights and restrictions while in the UK on a Child Dependent Visa.
✓ You Can
- Apply with a parent where the parent is applying on an eligible family route.
- Apply separately if the child’s circumstances and parent’s status allow it.
- Extend in the UK before the child’s current permission expires.
- Follow the parent’s route to settlement where the rules allow.
- Use a fee waiver in eligible family-route cases where the family cannot afford the fee.
✗ You Cannot
- Apply as a married child or a child in a civil partnership.
- Ignore parental responsibility where only one parent is in the UK.
- Assume adult children qualify unless their family permission started when they were under 18.
- Rely on public funds unless the rules and sponsor status allow it.
- Use the family route where a dependant route under a work or study visa is the correct route.
Costs & Fees
Current fees as of 2026. Set by the Home Office — subject to change.
Fees set by the Home Office and subject to change. Last reviewed: July 2026.
| Item | Cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Overseas application | £2,064 |
| In-country application | £1,407 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) — 2.5 years | £1,940 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) — 5 years | £3,880 |
| Priority services | check current fees |
How to Apply
Five steps from preparation to decision.
Identify the Parent’s Route
Confirm whether the parent is applying, extending or already has status, and whether the child should apply on the family route or a dependant route.
Check the Child Requirements
Review age, living arrangements, marital status and parental responsibility evidence.
Prepare Financial Evidence
Include proof of the parent’s income or support where required by the route.
Submit the Correct Form
Use the correct online family application or Appendix FM route depending on the parent’s status and application type.
Receive Your Decision
GOV.UK states that child family applications usually take 12 weeks outside the UK or 8 weeks inside the UK, with some 10-year route cases taking longer.
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Sources
Legal information on this page is based on guidance from GOV.UK, the UK Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration, legislation.gov.uk, and Free Movement. Rules change frequently — speak to our team to confirm current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Child Dependent Visa from employers and applicants.
What is the Child Dependent Visa UK?
The Child Dependent Visa allows a child to join or stay with a parent in the UK under the family visa route. It is used where the child is linked to a parent’s family application or existing family permission.
How much does a Child Dependent Visa cost in 2026?
The 2026 overseas family-route fee is £2,064 per applicant. The in-country fee listed by GOV.UK for joining a partner, parent or child is £1,407 per person.
Can a child apply separately from their parent?
Yes, a child may be able to apply separately, but the correct form depends on the parent’s status and route. GOV.UK gives different form instructions depending on whether the parent has family-route permission or another qualifying status.
Can a child born in the UK apply as a dependant?
A child born in the UK can usually get the same permission to stay as their parent. The child can be added to the parent’s next application or apply separately.
Can a child over 18 apply as a dependent child?
A child aged 18 or over can only apply in limited circumstances. GOV.UK says they can only apply if they have family visa permission that started when they were under 18.
What documents are needed for a child dependent application?
Typical evidence includes the child’s identity documents, birth certificate, proof of the parent’s status, living arrangements and financial evidence. Cases involving sole parental responsibility or serious reasons require careful evidence.
Does a Child Dependent Visa lead to settlement?
It can, depending on the parent’s route and the child’s eligibility. The child’s settlement route normally needs to be aligned with the parent who is settled or applying to settle.
Can the child use public funds?
The child’s access to public funds depends on the permission granted and the family’s route. Most temporary family-route grants are subject to a no public funds condition unless an exception applies.
How long does a Child Dependent Visa take?
GOV.UK says applications outside the UK usually take 12 weeks. Applications inside the UK usually take 8 weeks, but some 10-year route applications may take about 12 months.
Is the Child Dependent Visa the same as a work-route dependant visa?
No. If the parent is in the UK temporarily on a work or student visa, the child may need to apply as a dependant under that route rather than under the family visa route.
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