The Parent of a Child Student Visa UK allows one parent to accompany their young child to the UK while the child studies at an independent fee-paying school. This route applies only to children aged 4 to 11 and ends when the child turns 12 or completes their studies. From 8 April 2026, the visa fee is £726 (up from £682), plus the £1,035/year Immigration Health Surcharge. This 2026 guide covers eligibility, the £1,560/month maintenance requirement, application process, and the strict no-work / no-study / no-settlement conditions.
Source: Home Office fees table — gov.uk (effective 8 April 2026)
The UK has multiple parent visa routes that searchers frequently confuse, leading to wrong applications and lost fees. Parent of a Child Student Visa (this route, £726) is for parents accompanying children aged 4-11 at independent fee-paying schools only. The Parent of a British Child Visa (£2,064) is for parents of UK-citizen or settled children — leads to settlement. The Adult Dependent Relative route is for elderly parents joining settled UK family. Dependent visas via Skilled Worker / Student route are for partners and children of main applicants. Picking the wrong route wastes £726+ in non-refundable fees.
- What is the Parent of a Child Student Visa?
- Eligibility Requirements 2026
- Financial Requirements: £1,560 per Month
- Cost & Processing Time 2026
- Documents Required
- Your Child Also Needs a Child Student Visa
- Conditions & Restrictions: What You Cannot Do
- Parent Route Comparison: Which Visa Do You Need?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding the Parent of a Child Student Visa UK 2026
This specialised visa route recognises 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 under a Child Student Visa. 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.
Who Qualifies for the Parent of a Child Student Visa?
The Parent of a Child Student visa (formerly Parent of a Tier 4 Child) is for one parent of a child aged 4-11 studying at an independent fee-paying UK school. It costs £726 from 8 April 2026, plus £1,035/year Immigration Health Surcharge. Permission ends when the child turns 12 or finishes their studies. The accompanying parent cannot work, study, settle, 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. Only one parent can be in the UK under this route at any time; the other parent cannot be in the UK or planning to join.
Eligibility Requirements 2026
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
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Your Age | Must be 18 years or older |
| Child's Age | Child must be aged 4-11 at time of application |
| Child's Visa Status | Child must have or be applying for Child Student visa |
| School Type | Independent fee-paying day school only (not state, academy, or boarding) |
| Other Parent | Cannot be in UK or planning to join under this route |
| Primary Residence | Must maintain home outside UK (not intending to settle) |
| TB Certificate | Required if from a listed country (Appendix T) |
Suitability Requirements
Beyond core eligibility, you must satisfy suitability criteria under Part 9 general refusal grounds:
- No deception: Must not have provided false information in any prior immigration application
- No criminal history: Must not have relevant criminal convictions
- No immigration breaches: Must not have overstayed or breached previous visas (with limited paragraph 39E exceptions)
- Not on immigration bail: Must not currently be subject to immigration bail in the UK
Financial Requirements: £1,560 per Month
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 (£5,625 over 9 months per additional child). Funds must be held for at least 28 consecutive days, with the end date within 31 days of your application.
| Financial Element | Amount Required |
|---|---|
| Parent + Child Maintenance | £1,560/month (up to 9 months = £14,040) |
| Each Additional Child | £625/month (up to 9 months = £5,625) |
| Child's School Fees | Outstanding fees for 1 academic year (per CAS) |
| Funds Holding Period | 28 consecutive days (ending within 31 days of application) |
Exemptions from Financial Evidence
You may not need to provide financial evidence if:
- Long-term resident: You've been in the UK with valid permission for 12+ months immediately before applying
- Joint application: If you apply at the same time as the Child Student and your child meets their own financial requirement, you are deemed to satisfy yours
- 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 (UKVI may still request evidence)
Parent of a Child Student Visa Cost & Processing Time 2026
The visa application costs £726 from 8 April 2026 (up from £682). You must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year of your stay. Processing takes approximately 3 weeks from outside the UK. Extensions from within the UK use form FLR(IR) and cost £1,407 (up from £1,321).
| Cost Element | Amount (8 Apr 2026) |
|---|---|
| Parent Visa Application Fee | £726 (up from £682) |
| Parent Immigration Health Surcharge | £1,035/year |
| Child Student Visa Fee | £558 (up from £524) — payable for your child |
| Child Immigration Health Surcharge | £776/year |
| In-UK Extension (FLR(IR)) | £1,407 (up from £1,321) |
| Standard Processing Time | ~3 weeks (outside UK) |
For the complete fee schedule across all visa categories, see our UK visitor visa fees guide. Note that processing times can stretch significantly during peak academic seasons — applications timed close to UK school term starts may face visa decision delays from Non-Straightforward case flags, so apply at least 3 months before term begins. See our UK visa processing time guide for current expectations.
Documents Required for Application
You need a valid passport, proof of your relationship to the child (birth certificate), evidence of the child's school enrolment (CAS from a licensed independent school), bank statements showing 28 days of held maintenance funds, accommodation details, evidence of your home outside the UK, and a TB certificate if required for your country.
- Valid passport or travel document
- Proof of relationship to child (birth certificate)
- Child's school enrolment evidence (CAS number from licensed independent school)
- Bank statements (28 consecutive days, showing required maintenance funds)
- Evidence of UK accommodation arrangements
- Evidence of home outside the UK (proving temporary intention)
- TB certificate (if from a listed country)
- Translated documents (certified translations for non-English evidence)
- Letter from other parent (if alive, consenting to child travelling with you)
For comprehensive guidance on document standards, certified translations, and evidence formatting, see our UK visa supporting documents checklist. The UK visa application form guide also covers the online application steps and common mistakes that lead to refusal.
Your Child Also Needs a Child Student Visa
Before or alongside your Parent of a Child Student Visa application, your child must apply for a Child Student Visa (£558 from 8 April 2026) with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed UK independent school. Both applications can be submitted simultaneously, which simplifies the financial requirement assessment. The Child Student Visa is valid up to age 17, but your accompanying parent visa ends at age 12.
The Parent of a Child Student route is dependent on the Child Student visa — without the child's accepted application, you cannot qualify. The Child Student Visa (previously known as the Tier 4 Child visa) is a separate visa route covered in detail in our UK Student Visa requirements guide.
Key Differences: Parent Visa vs Child Student Visa
| Aspect | Parent of Child Student (You) | Child Student (Your Child) |
|---|---|---|
| Fee (8 Apr 2026) | £726 | £558 |
| IHS | £1,035/year (adult) | £776/year (child) |
| Age Range | Adult (18+) | 4-17 (but Parent visa ends at 12) |
| Work Permitted | No (strict prohibition) | Limited (depending on age and term) |
| School Type | N/A | Independent fee-paying school only |
| Leads to Settlement | No | No (not under this route) |
Conditions & Restrictions: What You Cannot Do
This visa has strict conditions: no work (paid or unpaid), no study, no access to public funds, no business activity, and no bringing other family members (spouse, partner). Your permission ends when your child turns 12 or completes their studies — whichever is earlier. The route does not lead to settlement or British citizenship under any circumstances.
What You Cannot Do
- No employment: Cannot work in any capacity (paid or unpaid, employed or self-employed)
- No study: Cannot enrol in any educational course, training, or qualification
- No public funds: Cannot claim benefits, housing assistance, or NHS services beyond what IHS provides
- No business: Cannot start, run, or invest in a UK business
- No dependents: Cannot bring a spouse, partner, or other family members under this visa
- No settlement: Time on this route does not count toward Indefinite Leave to Remain or British citizenship
- No switching: Cannot switch to another visa category from within the UK on this route
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 (using form FLR(IR), £1,407 from 8 April 2026) as long as your child still qualifies and remains under 12.
If Your Application is Refused
If refused, you can request an administrative review under Appendix AR within 28 days (outside UK) or 14 days (inside UK) if you believe there was a caseworker error. The most common UK visa refusal reasons for this route are insufficient financial evidence, doubts about intention to leave, and incorrect school documentation. For a country-by-country view of approval probability, see our UK visa success rate guide.
Parent Route Comparison: Which Visa Do You Need?
The UK has multiple parent-related visa routes that searchers commonly confuse: Parent of a Child Student (this route, £726, for parents of independent school students aged 4-11), Parent of a British Child (£2,064, for parents of UK-citizen children, leads to settlement), and Adult Dependent Relative (for elderly parents joining settled UK family). Dependent visas via Skilled Worker or main Student routes are for partners and children, not parents.
| Visa Route | Purpose | Fee (8 Apr 2026) | Settlement? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent of Child Student | Accompany child (4-11) at independent school | £726 | No |
| Dependent Child Visa | Child joins parent on work/study visa | Varies by parent's route | Via parent's route |
| Parent of British Child | Parent of UK citizen or settled child | £2,064 | Yes (5 years) |
| Adult Dependent Relative | Elderly/dependent parent joining family | £3,635 | Yes (immediate) |
| Family Visitor Visa | Visit child in UK (short-term, <6 months) | £135 | No |
| Skilled Worker (with child dependent) | Parent works, child included as dependent | £819 + dependent fee | Yes (5 years) |
- Visa costs £726 from 8 April 2026 (up from £682), plus £1,035/year IHS
- Only one parent can accompany the child — spouses/partners cannot join
- Child must be aged 4-11 at an independent fee-paying day school (not state, academy, or boarding)
- Visa ends when child turns 12 or completes studies, whichever is earlier
- No work, study, settlement, or public funds permitted under this route
- Maintenance: £1,560/month for parent+child, plus £625/month per additional child
- Apply 3+ months before UK term starts to absorb potential processing delays
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Parent of a Child Student Visa cost in 2026?
The visa costs £726 from 8 April 2026 (up from £682). You must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year of your stay. Your child's separate Child Student visa costs £558 (up from £524) plus £776/year IHS. For a family with one child, total upfront costs for a 12-month visa are approximately £3,095 (£726 + £1,035 + £558 + £776).
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 using form FLR(IR) (£1,407 from 8 April 2026). For example, if your 7-year-old has permission to study for 2 years, you could potentially stay until they turn 12 (assuming continued extensions).
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 (£135 for up to 6 months).
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. If you need work rights, the Skilled Worker visa with your child as a dependent is the alternative route.
Can my child attend a state school under this route?
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 up to 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 switch to boarding accommodation if available. Schools registered as Tier 4 sponsors must have approved guardianship arrangements for unaccompanied minor students.
What if my application is refused?
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. See UK visa refusal reasons for common causes and UK visa success rates for approval statistics by country.
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. The additional children must be siblings of the primary child student. You'll need to show additional maintenance funds of £625 per month for each extra child (up to 9 months = £5,625 per additional child). You cannot bring children who don't have their own Child Student visa under this route.
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. For routes that lead to settlement, see the Parent of a British Child visa or Skilled Worker visa.
Is this visa the same as the old "Parent of a Tier 4 Child" visa?
Yes — the Parent of a Child Student visa replaced the former "Parent of a Tier 4 (Child)" route. The rules and structure are largely the same, but the route is now governed by Appendix Parent of a Child Student in the Immigration Rules rather than Tier 4 rules. The Child Student Visa similarly replaced the Tier 4 (Child) Student visa and is now governed by Appendix Child Student of the Immigration Rules. If you have an old visa under the Tier 4 designation, it remains valid until expiry but renewals fall under the new Appendix.