If you are seeking to bring your child to settle in the UK, there are certain criteria that you will need to meet.

If your child is coming to the UK to live with both parents, you must show that

  • Both parents are British citizens or have indefinite leave to remain, or are being admitted on the same occasion for settlement; or
  • One parent is a British citizen or has indefinite leave to remain, and the other parent is applying to come to the UK.

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If your child is coming to the UK to live with one parent only, you must show that

  • One parent is a British citizen or has indefinite leave to remain, and the other parent is dead; or
  • One parent is a British citizen or has indefinite leave to remain, and that parent has had sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing; or
  • One parent is a British citizen or has indefinite leave to remain, and there are serious and compelling family or other considerations that mean that it would be undesirable to exclude the child from the UK.

If your child is coming to the UK to live with another relative who is not their parent, you must show that

  • the relative is a British citizen or has indefinite leave to remain.
  • there are serious and compelling family or other considerations that mean that it would be undesirable to exclude the child from the UK.
  • You have indefinite leave to remain in the UK
  • You are resident in the UK
  • Your child us under 18 years of age
  • Your child is not married or leading an independent life
  • There is adequate accommodation and maintenance available for the child in the UK without relying on public funds

If the application is successful, the child will be granted indefinite leave to enter and remain in the UK.

If you are not a British citizen and do not have indefinite leave to remain, it may still be possible to bring your child to the UK if you can show that

  • You have limited leave to remain in the UK as a partner
  • You have sole responsibility for the child or there are serious and compelling family or other considerations which make exclusion of the child undesirable and suitable arrangements have been made for the child’s care
  • You meet the minimum income threshold

If the application is successful, the child will be granted limited leave to enter and remain in the UK.