Minimum requirements for visa application for a “Parent of a Child studying in the UK school”

To be eligible for the ‘Parent of a Child Studying at UK School Visa’, applicants must meet specific requirements. Eligibility criteria may include providing evidence of a genuine parent-child relationship, demonstrating financial capacity to support themselves and their child, and adhering to the immigration rules and regulations. Typically, you must:

• Be the parent of a child aged between 4 and 11 years who is attending an independent school in the UK
• Be applying under this category if your child already has ‘Child Student Visa’ or is applying for the ‘Child Student Visa’ or he/she is already in the UK on Tier-4 (Child) Visa
• Be able to show that you can support yourself and your child while you are in the UK. This means that you must have enough money to cover both of yours living expenses and your child’s tuition fees.
• You (applicant) should be the only parent accompanying your child in the UK on this visa. The other parent must be located abroad as both parents are not allowed to apply under this visa category
• Not stay or live in the UK beyond visa expiry date. You must either renew / extend your current visa or leave the UK before your current visa expires
• Be able to maintain your main home expenses without relying to earn within the UK or be dependent on public funding or benefits in the UK
• Have a valid passport and a police clearance certificate from your home country.
  
  

To obtain professional, most up-to-date, and accurate advice on your ‘Student Visa’ requirement, please contact our experienced, and accredited team of immigration consultants on 020 3911 1115 or send us your query using this form or email us on ukvisa@agclservices.com or request a call back by providing your contact details here and we will get back to you asap.

When applying for the ‘Parent of a Child Studying at UK School Visa’, you must provide all the necessary documents in order to complete a successful application. Here’s a breakdown of the some required documents:

• Current Passport or Travel Document: You will need a valid passport or an acceptable travel document to initiate your visa application. Ensure that it has sufficient validity beyond your intended stay in the UK.
• Financial Proof: Demonstrating your financial capacity to support both yourself and your child is a key requirement. This includes covering living expenses and educational costs. However, if you have been residing in the UK on a valid visa for at least 12 months, this financial proof may not be necessary.
• Evidence of Permanent Residence Abroad: You’ll need to provide evidence that you have a permanent home outside the UK, indicating your intent to return to your home country after your child’s education in the UK.
• TB Test Results (if applicable): Depending on your country of origin, you might be required to provide tuberculosis (TB) test results as part of your application. Check if this requirement applies to you.
• Certified Translations: Any documents that are not in English or Welsh will need to be accompanied by certified translations to ensure their authenticity and clarity.
  
  

The Significance of Accurate Documentation

• Accurate documentation is of paramount importance when applying for a “Parent of a Child Studying at an Independent School in the UK’ Visa. The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) scrutinizes all your submitted documents meticulously to determine if you meet the visa’s eligibility criteria. Any deficiencies, inaccuracies, or omissions in your documentation can result in delays or even the refusal of your application.
  
  

Our Role as Your Immigration Partner

As AGCL Services, an established immigration firm, we specialize in assisting for such Visa applications. Our comprehensive support encompasses:

• Thoroughly reviewing your documents to ensure they align with the UKVI’s stringent requirements.
• Expertly preparing your visa application form and all necessary supporting documents.
• Submitting your visa application to the UKVI on your behalf.
• Serving as your representatives throughout the application process, including addressing any queries or requests for additional information from the UKVI.
  
  

Essential Document Preparation Tips

• To enhance your application’s chances of success, consider the following document preparation tips:
• Ensure that every document is complete, precise, and up to date.
• Translate any documents not in English into English via a certified translator.
• Provide certified copies of all your documents.
• Maintain copies of all the documents you submit as part of your visa application.
• Should you have any queries regarding the documentation prerequisites for this visa category related applications or require assistance in preparing your documents, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. Our dedicated team is here to support you in achieving your immigration objectives.

Apply for a Parent of a Child Student Visa from Outside the UK

For a ‘Parent of a Child Student visa for the UK’, you’ll need to initiate your application online before you plan your travel. The application process entails several steps outlined as below

• It’s important to note that you can start your visa application six months before your intended travel date to the UK. This early start allows ample time for processing and ensures a smooth transition.
• Firstly, gather all necessary documents, including proof of relationship, financial documents, and a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the child’s school.
  
  

Contact one of our experts at AGCL Services who would be able to assist you throughout your visa application journey seamlessly from completing required applications forms to submitting your completed application along with mandatory and supporting documents, taking all the hassle away from you.

• Next, pay the required visa application fees.
• When you apply for a Parent of a Child Student Visa, you will need to provide various mandatory documents. Please note you may be asked to provide additional documents to ensure your application can be processed smoothly without any issues.
• Once approved, you can join your child in the UK and actively participate in their educational journey.
  
  

Renewal or Extension of your visa in the UK

• Staying in the UK Beyond Your Initial Visa: If you and your child meet the eligibility criteria, you have the opportunity to apply for an extension of your visa while residing in the UK. This option is available even if your child currently holds a Tier 4 (Child) student visa.
• Timing of application: To ensure a seamless transition, it’s imperative to apply for the extension before your current visa expires. The good news is that you’re permitted to stay in the UK while your visa application is being processed.
• Application Process: At our accredited immigration firm, we offer expert assistance throughout the entire visa application journey from application completion to documents review to application submission. With our support, you’ll smoothly submit your application and await the final decision.
• Decision Notification: Once a decision has been made on your application, you will receive a letter or email containing the decision. This correspondence will provide clear instructions on the necessary steps to follow based on the decision rendered.

Visa application processing duration when applied from outside UK

• After you’ve submitted your online application, provided the necessary documents, and completed your biometric appointment, the typical waiting time for a visa decision is approximately three weeks. However, for those seeking a faster decision, some visa application centres offer expedited services, though availability may vary.
  
  

Visa Renewal or Extension application processing duration when applied from inside the UK

• Waiting Period: Once you’ve submitted your application, proven your identity, and furnished the necessary documents, you can typically expect a visa decision within 8 weeks. Expedited processing options may be available, and you will be informed if you qualify for such services.
• Travel Restrictions: During this period, you are allowed to stay in the UK, provided you applied before your last visa expired. However, it’s crucial to refrain from traveling outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man until a decision is reached. Traveling beyond these territories could result in the withdrawal of your application.
• Faster Decision Services: For those looking to accelerate the decision-making process for their visa, there are two expedited services available:
  • the ‘priority service’ and the ‘super priority service.’
  • With the ‘priority service,’ you can typically anticipate a decision within five working days or shortly thereafter
  • With the ‘super priority service’ ensures that you usually receive a decision by the end of the following working day or soon after.
    
    

However, please be aware that in some cases where additional information is required by the Home Office, the decision may take longer than expected.

Initial Visa Duration:

• The initial visa duration for this category is usually granted in line with the duration of your child’s student visa expires or until your child turns 12, depending on whichever event occurs first.
  
  

 If you leave UK keeping your child alone to continue study in the UK

• In the event of your departure from the United Kingdom, it becomes imperative that you establish and coordinate suitable provisions for the continued care and guardianship of your child who remains enrolled in educational pursuits within the UK in your absence. To illustrate, consider a scenario where your child reaches the age of 12 while their visa remains in a valid state; under such circumstances, there exists the potential for your child to initiate a transition towards a boarding arrangement at their existing school or potentially reside with other relatives who are residing within the United Kingdom.
  
  

Renewal Visa Duration:

• When you successfully extend your visa, you’re allowed to remain in the UK until either your child’s student visa expires or until your child turns 12, depending on whichever event occurs first.
  
  

Settlement (ILR) Eligibility:

• Nope, it is not allowed to apply for settlement or ILR visa after completion of five years on this Visa category. This is a temporary visa to support your child’s overseas studies who is in the UK on ‘Child Student Visa’ which doesn’t lead to ILR or Settlement visa.
  
  

Switching from Another Visa Category:

• Nope, you are not allowed to switch to other type of visa category from this visa while you are in the UK. You must apply under different visa category separately on a new application.

Visa fees for a ‘parent of a child student’ studying the UK schools

• It costs £637 as visa fees for a ‘Parent of a Child Studying in the UK’ visa category when applied from outside the UK or £1,048 to extend or renew this visa from inside the UK. You will also need to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. The amount you pay depends on how long your visa lasts.
  
  

Other Charges

• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): The IHS is a charge that is paid by all overseas visitors to the UK who plan to stay for longer than 6 months. For this visa category it could be £624 however it’s recommended to check and go through necessary steps to calculate precise charge before the visa application process begins.
• Biometric fee: The biometric fee is a charge that is paid by all visa applicants who need to give their fingerprints and a photograph. The biometric fee is £19.20.
• Priority and Super Priority Visa Services: The UK Home Office offers two priority visa services: Priority Visa Service and Super Priority Visa Service.
  • Priority Visa Service: The Priority Visa Service allows you to get a decision on your visa application within 5 working days. The cost of the Priority Visa Service is £500.
• Super Priority Visa Service: The Super Priority Visa Service allows you to get a decision on your visa application within 1 working day. The cost of the Super Priority Visa Service is £1,000.
• If you are applying for the Priority service, you will need to attend a visa application centre in person on the same day that you submit your online application to have your fingerprints and photo taken.
• The Priority and Super Priority services are designed to speed up the visa application process. However, it is important to note that there is no guarantee that your application will be processed within the specified timeframe.

In addition to the above fees, you may also need to pay for additional services, such as:

• English language test fees
• Tuberculosis test fees
• Medical certificate fees

Police clearance certificate fees

Q.1  What is the validity period of this visa category?

• The initial visa duration for this category is usually granted in line with the duration of your child’s student visa expires or until your child turns 12, depending on whichever event occurs first.

When you successfully extend your visa, you’re allowed to remain in the UK until either your child’s student visa expires or until your child turns 12, depending on whichever event occurs first.

 Q.2  Can I work in the UK under this visa category?

No, this visa is primarily for parent to accompany their children during their education and does not grant work privileges.

 Q.3  Can I extend this visa?

Yes, you can extend this visa in line with your child’s continued education. When you successfully extend your visa, you’re allowed to remain in the UK until either your child’s student visa expires or until your child turns 12, depending on whichever event occurs first.

 Q.4  Can I apply for Settlement (ILR) after a certain period on this visa?

Nope, this is temporary visa to remain in the UK to support your child during his/her school education hence you’re not allowed to apply for Settlement or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) even if you stay 5 years or longer on this visa category.

 Q.5  Are there any travel restrictions under this visa?

You are allowed to travel in and out of the UK as long as your visa is valid.

 Q.6  Can I bring other family members under this visa?

Nope, only one of two parents can apply for this visa to accompany child.

 Q.7  Under the “Parent of a Child Studying at UK School Visa” which activities are allowed, and which aren’t?

You are allowed to:

• accompany and support your child during their education in the UK.
• attend parent-teacher meetings, actively engage in their educational journey and participate in their school life

You are not allowed to:

• it’s essential to note that this visa does not grant permission for employment or business activities
• access public funds or claim any benefits from government
• to join any study courses
  
  

 Q.8  Can I switch to another visa category while I am in the UK on the Parent of a Child Studying at UK School Visa?

Nope, you are not allowed to change your current visa category to any other visa category while you’re in the UK.

 Q.9  What are the advantages of this visa?

• It provides an opportunity to be closely involved in your child’s education, ensuring their well-being and progress.
• You can actively participate in their school activities, fostering a supportive environment for their academic growth
• It offers the chance to strengthen family bonds and provide a stable educational foundation for your child in the UK