Parent of a Child Student visa

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Money you need

When you apply for a Parent of a Child Student visa, you must:

  • pay the application fee
  • pay the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay
  • prove that you have enough money to support yourself and your child while you’re in the UK

Visa application fee

A Parent of a Child Student visa costs £637.

Healthcare surcharge

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your online application. It usually costs £1,035 per year.

This is so you can use the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK.

Check how much you’ll need to pay before you apply.

You pay the surcharge as part of your online visa application.

Money to support yourself and your child

You’ll need to show that you have enough money to support yourself and your child in the UK.

You’ll need £1,560 for each month of your stay up to a maximum of 9 months. This amount is to support both you and your child.

For example, if you’re staying for 9 months or longer you’ll need to prove you have £14,040 (9 months × £1,560).

If you want to bring your other children

You’ll need an extra £625 per month, up to a maximum of 9 months, for each additional child that accompanies you to the UK. They must be a sibling of your other child and also have a Child Student visa.

If you’re extending your visa

If you’ve been in the UK for at least 12 months on a valid visa, you do not need to prove you have money to support yourself and your child for your visa application.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Apply for a Parent of a Child Student visa: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check if you need a visa

    You might be eligible for different visas depending on why you're visiting the UK and how long for.

    1. Check if you need a visa

  2. Step 2 Prepare the evidence you need

    1. Check what you need to show evidence of
    2. Check what documents you can use as evidence
    3. If your visa is for more than 6 months, check if you need a TB test

  3. Step 3 Apply

    1. Apply for a visa and book an appointment £637
    2. Check where your visa appointment will be

    You should get a decision within 3 weeks of your appointment.

    You might be able to pay an extra £500 for a decision within 5 working days or £1,000 for a decision within 24 hours (not including weekends or bank holidays). Check with your visa application centre.

  4. Step 4 Attend an appointment

    1. What you need to prove at your appointment

    You'll be told when a decision has been made about your visa.

  5. Step 5 Travel to the UK

    1. Check what you need to show at the UK border
    2. Check what you can bring with you

    Keep the documents that prove why you're visiting the UK in your hand luggage so you can show them if asked.

    1. Check the documents you can use to show why you're visiting the UK

  6. Step 6 After you arrive in the UK

    If your visa allows you to stay in the UK for longer than 6 months, you'll need to collect your biometric residence permit soon after you arrive.

    1. Collect your biometric residence permit

    Check your visa to find out when you must leave the UK. You may be able to extend your visa if you want to stay for longer.

    1. Extend your visa

    If you break the conditions of your visa you may not be able to return to the UK again.