Parent visa

Am I eligible for a UK parent visa?

Written by Bill Zahr  |  Noble Rose Immigration Service  |  IAA Regulated Level 1  |  Last updated June 2026

Overview

The UK Parent visa under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules provides an immigration pathway for non-UK nationals to enter or remain in the UK to care for their child. It is exclusively for separated or divorced parents, those in a subsisting relationship with the child's other parent must apply under the partner route. This page sets out who qualifies, what evidence is required, and how the financial requirement differs from the partner routes.

Core eligibility requirements

Core eligibility requirements

✓

You are not in a subsisting relationship with the child's other parent

If you are together with the child's other parent you must apply under the spouse or partner route, the parent route is only for separated parents
✓

Your child is physically present in the UK and is British, Irish, or settled

The child must hold British or Irish citizenship, ILR, or Settled Status under the EUSS, pre-settled status alone does not qualify
✓

Your child is under 18 at the date of your initial parent visa application

Extensions may continue after the child turns 18 provided they are not yet leading an independent life
✓

You have either sole parental responsibility or direct access rights evidenced by court order or written agreement

A formal Child Arrangements Order from a UK family court is the strongest form of evidence for direct access rights
✓

You play an active role in the child's upbringing with documentary evidence

School attendance records, medical involvement records, maintenance payments, and contact schedules are all required

You may be eligible if

You are not eligible if
✓

You are separated or divorced from the child's other parent

✓

Your child is British, Irish, or settled and physically in the UK

✓

Your child is under 18 at the initial application date

✓

You have a court order or formal written agreement confirming access rights

✓

You have evidence of active, ongoing involvement in the child's daily life
✗

You are in a relationship with the child's other parent

✗

Your child is not British, Irish, or settled in the UK

✗

You have no formal legal right of access to the child

✗

You cannot evidence meaningful, regular contact and involvement in the child's life

✗

You have a relevant suitability issue; conviction, deception finding, or immigration breach

Key facts at a glance

Entry clearance fee

£2,064

from 8 April 2026

Extension fee

£1,407

from within the UK

Route to ILR

5 years

Adequate Maintenance Test

What you need to know

Sole responsibility vs direct access: the two legal paths

The Parent route provides two distinct eligibility paths. Sole parental responsibility means you hold the exclusive right to make all major decisions about the child's upbringing, education, religion, medical care — without meaningful input from the other parent. This is a high legal threshold and financial support alone does not establish it. The key case is TD (Yemen) [2006]. Direct access applies where the child lives with the other settled parent and you have formal access rights established by court order or written parental agreement, combined with evidence of active parental involvement.

Section 55: the child's welfare as a primary consideration

Decision-makers are bound by Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 to treat the child's welfare as a primary consideration in all immigration decisions affecting children. Supported by case law including ZH (Tanzania) and KO (Nigeria), the caseworker must assess whether it would be unreasonable for the British child to leave the UK and whether separation from the active parent would cause unjustifiable disruption to the child's welfare.

Financial requirement: Adequate Maintenance Test, not £29,000

The Parent route does not impose the £29,000 MIR that applies to the partner routes. Instead, the applicant must demonstrate that they can adequately maintain and accommodate themselves and any dependants without recourse to public funds. The test uses UK Income Support rates as the benchmark: net income after housing costs (rent, mortgage, council tax) must equal or exceed the applicable Income Support rate for a comparable household. The current single person rate (aged 25 or over) is approximately £90.50 per week.

Evidence of active parental role: what the Home Office requires

A court order or access agreement is the legal foundation, not the totality of the evidence required. The Home Office requires specific documentary proof of genuine ongoing involvement: letters from the child's school confirming the applicant attends parent-teacher evenings and is listed as an emergency contact; letters from the child's GP or dentist confirming attendance at medical appointments; records of the regular visitation schedule; bank statements showing child maintenance payments; and photographs of the parent and child together in domestic settings

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Bill Zahr

Principal Lawyer & Managing Director

Bill Zahr (LLB Hons) leads Noble Rose Immigration Service with a methodical, "law-first" approach. Guided by the ethos ‘Navigare per Legem’, Bill combines rigorous legal expertise with genuine empathy to navigate complex UK immigration cases. Formerly of a top-tier UK firm, he ensures every client receives transparent, elite, and personalised care.

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Client Relations Manager & Immigration Paralegal

Renzel Carlos (LLB Hons, First Class) is the primary liaison at Noble Rose Immigration Service. Currently undertaking the Bar Vocational Studies (BVS) programme, she combines a meticulous legal foundation with deep frontline experience. Renzel is dedicated to guiding clients through the emotional complexities of immigration with high-level professionalism, precision, and compassionate care.