The Parent of a Child Student visa allows one parent to accompany their young child to the UK for education at an independent fee-paying school. This visa is specifically for parents of children aged 4-11 who need parental care during their formative years of schooling. Unlike a dependent visa, this route is tied directly to the child's education status and ends when the child turns 12 or completes their studies. This guide covers eligibility criteria, financial requirements, the application process, and key restrictions you need to understand before applying.
Understanding the Parent of a Child Student Visa in 2026
This specialized visa route recognizes that very young children studying abroad need parental support. It allows one parent to live in the UK while their child attends an independent fee-paying school. The visa is tightly linked to your child's education—when they turn 12 or complete their studies, your permission to stay ends. This route does not lead to settlement and comes with strict restrictions on work and study.
What is the Parent of a Child Student Visa?
The Parent of a Child Student visa (formerly Parent of a Tier 4 Child visa) allows one parent to accompany and care for their child who is studying at an independent fee-paying school in the UK. It applies only to children aged 4-11 and grants permission to stay until the child turns 12 or completes their studies. The accompanying parent cannot work, study, or access public funds.
This visa acknowledges that young children in their formative educational years (ages 4-11) may need direct parental supervision and care while studying abroad. It's distinct from other parent-related visas because it's entirely dependent on the child's student status—if the child's permission ends, so does the parent's.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
You must be at least 18, be the parent of a child aged 4-11 with a Child Student visa (or applying simultaneously), your child must attend an independent fee-paying day school, you must have sufficient funds for maintenance, and the other parent must not be in the UK or planning to join under this route. You must not intend to make the UK your main home.
Core Eligibility Criteria
Suitability Requirements
Beyond eligibility, you must also satisfy suitability criteria under Part 9 of the Immigration Rules:
- No deception: Must not have provided false information in any immigration application
- No criminal history: Must not have relevant criminal convictions
- No immigration breaches: Must not have overstayed or breached previous visas (with some exceptions under paragraph 39E)
- Not on immigration bail: Must not currently be subject to immigration bail
What Are the Financial Requirements?
You must show £1,560 per month for up to 9 months (maximum £14,040) to cover maintenance for yourself and your child. If you have additional children under your care in the UK, you need an extra £625 per month for each child. Funds must be held for at least 28 consecutive days, with the end date within 31 days of your application.
Exemptions from Financial Evidence
You may not need to provide financial evidence if:
- Long-term resident: You've been in the UK with permission for 12+ months immediately before applying
- Partner's funds: You can rely on funds held in your partner's account (even if they're outside the UK)
- Differential evidence: You're from a country on the differential evidence list (but may still be asked)
How Much Does the Parent of a Child Student Visa Cost?
The visa application costs approximately £490 from outside the UK. You must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year of your stay. Processing takes around 3 weeks from outside the UK. Extensions from within the UK may have different fees and processing times.
For current UK visa fees, always check the official government website as fees can change. Extensions from within the UK use the FLR(IR) form and may have different processing times—see our guide on UK visa processing times.
What Documents Are Required?
You need a valid passport, proof of your relationship to the child, evidence of the child's school enrollment (admission letter/CAS details), financial evidence showing 28 days of held funds, accommodation details, and a TB certificate if required for your country.
- Valid passport or travel document
- Proof of relationship to child (birth certificate)
- Child's school enrollment evidence (admission letter/CAS number)
- Bank statements (28 days, showing required maintenance)
- Evidence of UK accommodation arrangements
- TB certificate (if from a listed country)
- Evidence of home outside UK (proving temporary intentions)
For more details on supporting documents for UK visa applications, see our comprehensive guide. Digital documents from recognized institutions are generally accepted.
What Are the Conditions and Restrictions?
This visa has strict conditions: no work (paid or unpaid), no study, no access to public funds, and no bringing other family members. Your permission ends when your child turns 12 or completes their studies—whichever is earlier. The visa does not lead to settlement.
What You Cannot Do
- No employment: Cannot work in any capacity (paid or unpaid)
- No study: Cannot enroll in any educational course
- No public funds: Cannot claim benefits or housing assistance
- No business: Cannot start or run a business
- No dependents: Cannot bring spouse, partner, or other family members
- No settlement: This route does not lead to indefinite leave to remain
Duration of Stay
Your permission to stay aligns with your child's study permission or until they turn 12, whichever comes first. Typically, visas are granted for up to 12 months at a time. You can apply to extend as long as your child still qualifies and is under 12.
If Your Application is Refused
If refused, you can request an administrative review under Appendix AR if you believe there was a caseworker error. Alternatively, you can address the issues and submit a fresh application.
Different Visa Routes for Parents and Children
The Parent of a Child Student visa is for parents accompanying children aged 4-11 at independent schools. The Dependent Child visa is for children joining a parent who is already in the UK on a work/study visa. The Parent of a British Child visa is for parents of British citizen children seeking to settle in the UK.
- Only one parent can accompany the child under this visa
- Child must be aged 4-11 at an independent fee-paying day school
- Visa ends when child turns 12 or completes studies
- No work, study, or access to public funds allowed
- Maintenance: £1,560/month plus £625 for each additional child
- This route does not lead to settlement in the UK
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I stay in the UK on a Parent of a Child Student visa?
Your permission aligns with your child's study permission or until they turn 12—whichever comes first. The visa is typically granted for up to 12 months at a time. If your child continues studying and is still under 12, you can apply to extend. For example, if your 7-year-old has permission to study for 2 years, you could potentially stay until they turn 12 (assuming you keep extending).
Can both parents stay in the UK under this visa?
No, only one parent can stay in the UK under the Parent of a Child Student visa. The other parent cannot be in the UK or have plans to join under this visa route. Spouses and partners cannot accompany you. If the other parent wants to visit, they would need a standard visitor visa for short-term visits.
Can I work on a Parent of a Child Student visa?
No, you cannot work in any capacity while on this visa. This includes paid employment, unpaid work, volunteering in a work-like capacity, running a business, or being self-employed. You also cannot study or access public funds. These restrictions are designed to ensure you're focused solely on caring for your child during their education.
Can my child attend a state school on a Child Student visa?
No. The Child Student visa and the Parent of a Child Student visa only apply to independent fee-paying day schools. State schools, academies, local authority-funded schools, and further/higher education institutions do not qualify. If your child is joining you as a dependent (because you have a Skilled Worker or other qualifying visa), they can attend state schools—but that's a different visa route.
What happens when my child turns 12?
When your child turns 12, your Parent of a Child Student visa permission ends. You must leave the UK. Your child can continue studying on their Child Student visa (valid until age 17), but you can no longer accompany them under this route. The child would typically need a UK-based guardian arranged through their school, or they may switch to boarding accommodation if available.
What if my application is rejected?
If refused, you can request an administrative review under Appendix AR if you believe there was a caseworker error. This must be requested within 28 days (from outside the UK) or 14 days (from inside the UK). Alternatively, you can address the reasons for refusal and submit a new application. The application fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
Can I bring additional children with me?
You can bring additional children only if they also have Child Student visas and are also attending independent fee-paying day schools. You'll need to show additional maintenance funds of £625 per month for each extra child (up to 9 months). The additional children must be siblings of the primary child student. You cannot bring children who don't have their own Child Student visa.
Does this visa lead to settlement or British citizenship?
No. The Parent of a Child Student visa does not count toward settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) and does not provide a pathway to British citizenship. It's a temporary visa tied entirely to your child's education. You must maintain a primary residence outside the UK and demonstrate that you don't intend to make the UK your permanent home. When the visa ends, you must leave the UK.