Special visitor, child visitors sponsored by charities: VAT04
Published 9 December 2013
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1. VAT4.1 What are the requirements
Immigration Rules for child visitors (Paragraph 46A-F)
Children being sponsored through charities for short term stays in the UK should be treated as Child Visitors to the UK (see section of child visitors) and subject to the requirements of paragraph 46A of HC395 as amended - which requires that suitable arrangements be made for the child’s reception and care in the United Kingdom.
- All children over the age of five must provide biometric details at the time of making an application.
- Visa application forms should be completed in full, including a record of the name, address (not a PO Box number) and landline telephone number (where one exists) of the parent or carer in the child’s home country.
- A letter from the parent or guardian confirming their relationship to the child and consenting to the child’s application should be presented.
- Schooling details in the child’s home country.
- A letter from the school if the child is travelling during school term time.
Charities should include in the visa application form:
- Full details of the hosts allocated to accommodate the children whilst in the UK.
- Full details of checks carried out on the hosts. These checks must be in line with the charity’s own child protection policy and any Charities Commission or Devolved Authority requirements, such as CRB checks.
- State whether this is the first or a subsequent visit sponsored by the charity for the child.
ECOs must be satisfied that appropriate checks have been carried out by the charity prior to a visa application being submitted. As a guide, at the time of application any CRB checks should be no more than three years old.
Charities may only change host families allocated to children, and as stated on the visa application form, in exceptional circumstances. Full details of the new host family and the checks (as set out above) carried out on them must be presented.
Where children are not residing with host-families (for example in cases where they may be residing in residential centres), charities should provide full details of the arrangements.
Where a child’s visit exceeds 28 days, under child foster care arrangements the host family is required to present evidence to satisfy the ECO that they have contacted their local Social Services for a home assessment. Where a home assessment has been completed and approved, evidence of this should be provided.
Where a council declines to carry out such an assessment, their response and any relevant evidence to demonstrate that suitable arrangements have been made for the child’s stay in the UK should be presented.
ECOs should only issue visas when they are satisfied that children will be adequately accommodated and duty of care obligations have been met.
2. VAT4.2 How charities register their details
Charities facilitating child visits to stay with UK host families should be encouraged to register their details with the Embassy on the charity registration pro-forma below prior to submitting applications on the child’s behalf.
Child visitor charity registration form can be downloaded from this guidance page.
Charity Registration details to include:
- the Charity Commission registration number*,
- list of trustees,
- charity details in both the UK and home country,
- charity’s child protection policy,
- outline of the selection process for inclusion of children in scheme,
- details of host families including their CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checks and
- assessment of suitability.
*To note: If a charity’s income does not reach the threshold of £5,000 per annum it does not need to register with the Charities Commission under the Charities Act 2006.
Charities should notify posts of any amendments to their registration details, which should be recorded accordingly. It is recommended that charities re-register and provide up-to-date details every 12 months
3. VAT4.3 When is the visa valid for travel?
Where children are sponsored to travel to the UK through charities, ECOs should limit the entry clearance to a single entry visit visa valid for six months - for more information see VAT01 Visitors: general for visa validity.
4. VAT4.4 What is the visa endorsement for an accompanied child?
Where a child is travelling in the company of the group leader(s) the ‘Child Accompanied’ endorsement should be used and their details should be identified on the child’s visa vignette:
C: VISIT CHILD ACCOMPANIED LTE 6 MONTHS, CODE 3. Only valid if accompanied by [adult’s passport number and first name initial and full surname] or [adult’s passport number and first name initial, and full surname] (space allowing).
If the child sponsored by a charity is travelling to the UK with one adult:
C: VISIT CHILD ACCOMPANIED LTE 6 MONTHS, CODE 3. Only valid if accompanied by [enter the accompanying adult’s passport number, first name initial, and full surname] (space allowing).
5. VAT4.5 What is the visa endorsement for an unaccompanied child?
Where a child is travelling unaccompanied, the ‘Child Unaccompanied’ endorsement should be used. The ECO should pay particular attention to the applications and circumstances of a child - recording full details on Proviso of the host in the UK.
C: VISIT CHILD UNACCOMPANIED LTE 6 MONTHS, CODE 3