Immigration and Asylum
Bringing a child to live with a parent in the UK needs careful attention to the child's circumstances and the parent's immigration status. SJS can help you identify the relevant family or dependant route and prepare the evidence about care, relationships and the proposed home in the UK.
Understanding your next steps
A child joining a British or settled parent may use a different route from a child joining a parent with work or study permission. Some children may already be British. Checking this first avoids preparing the wrong application.
Where parents live apart, the application may require detailed evidence about responsibility for the child and their upbringing. Birth certificates alone may not answer every question. We can identify the relevance of court orders, consent and the existing care arrangements.
The child's age, dependency, accommodation and financial support can affect eligibility. Records from school, carers or the other parent may be relevant. Documents should explain the facts without overstating who makes decisions or who provides support.
A clear way forward
Provide the child's birth certificate, both parents' details, immigration documents and a clear account of where the child has lived.
We review the parent's status and the child's circumstances, including responsibility, consent and any existing family court order.
We explain the documents and forms needed and agree the work, including translations or separate applications where appropriate.
Planning ahead
We will quote according to the application and the evidence involved. Government charges, any healthcare surcharge and translations need to be budgeted separately. The number of family members may affect costs.
Contact us before making travel or school arrangements. A child approaching 18 or a parent with expiring permission may need prompt advice. Court orders and overseas documents can take time to obtain.
Read our published Price Guide, then contact us to confirm the work you need and the costs involved.
View Price GuideUseful to know
No. The permission granted depends on the route and the parent's status. Some children receive limited permission rather than indefinite leave to enter or remain.
Not in every case, but where one parent remains overseas the applicable responsibility and care requirements need careful assessment. Consent alone may not answer every requirement.
There are limited circumstances for older dependent children, often linked to permission first granted while under 18. The exact history and route must be checked.
Possibly. Place and date of birth and the parents' nationality or status can matter. A nationality check may be needed before deciding whether a visa application is appropriate.
General information about UK immigration. Contact us for advice about your circumstances.
SJS Solicitors · Balham
