Parents who wish to send their children to an Independent Fee Paying School in the UK on a Tier 4 Child visa can apply to join them in the UK. The Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa was specifically introduced for this purpose. Whilst the eligibility requirements for the Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa are not as stringent as some of the other visa routes under the Immigration Rules, the Home Office has made it clear that Applicants must comply with their visa conditions. Applicants found to be in breach of their visa conditions will face harsh consequences and could have their future applications put under harsher examination.
Parents can accompany their Children on a Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa
The Home Office recognises that it is difficult for young children to come to the UK to study on a Tier 4 Child visa without the support and care of their parents. Therefore, the Home Office has introduced the Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa category in an attempt to encourage parents to send their children to the best independent educational institutions in the UK. The UK is well renowned for its high level of education with popular independent schools such as Concord College and Eton College.
To apply for a Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa the following requirements must be met:
- The Applicant’s child must be under the age of 12 and be studying at an Independent Fee Paying School in the UK on a Tier 4 Child visa;
- Applicant must have enough money to support themselves and any dependents while in the UK;
- Applicant must be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient resources to maintain a second home outside the UK; and
- Applicant must demonstrate that they intend to leave the UK at the end of their visit and must show that they have the funds to cover the costs of their return.
Applicants should seek legal from specialist Immigration Solicitors and Barristers before submitting any UK Visas and Immigration application. The earliest an Applicant can apply for a Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa is 3 months before the date of the intended travel and a decision in most cases is made within 3 to 4 weeks of submission.
Staying in the UK on a Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa
Applicants who are issued with a Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa can reside in the UK for either 6 or 12 months. However, there is an option for Applicants to apply for extensions for up to 12 months to extend their stay in the UK. Applicants can keep on submitting extension applications until their child reaches the age of 12. A child on the Tier 4 Child visa can continue to study until the age of 17 and can then apply for a Tier 4 General Student visa.
An important to point to note is that Applicants applying for a Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa will not be able to extend their visa if their child is going have their 12th birthday in the next 12 months from the date of their application. Similarly, Applicants cannot apply for an extension if their child is going to finish their final year at school within the next 12 months.
What you can and can’t do on a Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa
It is important for Applicants to meet the conditions of their Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa and not to engage in any prohibited activities. The Home Office has made it clear that there will be harsh consequences for Applicants who are found guilty of breaching their Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa. If Applicants are not aware of what activities their Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa allows, then it is highly recommended they seek legal advice from specialist Immigration Solicitors and Barristers. Applicants who are found to be guilty of breaching their Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa are likely to have their leave curtailed and it could have an adverse impact on all future applications UK visa applications.
You can carry out the following activities on a Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa:
- Applicants can enter the UK as a Parent of a Tier 4 Child and extend their visa for 12 months at a time until the child reaches the age of 12.
You cannot carry out the following activities on a Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa:
- Applicants cannot bring other family members with them. Every Applicant must apply within their own right.
- Applicants cannot have access to public funds or social benefits.
- Applicants cannot engage in activities in relation to work or studying in the UK.
- Applicants must not intend to make the UK their principal place of home and cannot switch into any other visa category within the UK.
If you are unsure of what activities are prohibited or permitted on a Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa, our specialist Immigration Solicitors and Barristers can advise you on specific activities.
Using Legal Representation to submit a Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa Application
Legal representatives, such as our specialist immigration and visa law firm, are qualified to advise you on immigration law and your immigration matter. You can instruct one of our immigration and visa legal representatives to successfully assist you with a Parent of a Tier 4 Child visa application. Our Solicitors and Barristers will help you comply with the Home Office’s requirements and meet the Immigration Rules.
Caseworkers at the Home Office are trained to reject applications which are improperly prepared, for example by failing to provide the correct supporting evidence. In order to ensure your Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa application succeeds and meets all the rules, the necessary documents must be provided.
This can be a significant administrative task and you will need to submit the correct documentary evidence in support of your Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa application. The UK Immigration Rules are complex and a legal representative can help ensure that your application meets the Immigration Rules.
Successful Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa Application
Our team of Immigration Solicitors and Barristers are specialist immigration lawyers who act in your best interest. We offer a client-tailored approach from the outset. From the very first meeting, we will be able to advise you in respect of your Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa Application and the merit of an application before your application even reaches the Home Office UK Visa & Immigration department. We can assist you with the preparation of your Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa Application and ensure that you meet all the requirements of the relevant rules.
We are based in the legal epicentre of London, just across the road from the Royal Courts of Justice in order to ensure we get the best results for our clients. We are minutes away from the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal, the Royal Courts of Justice and other central London courts.
Preparation is the key to successful immigration applications. Our UK immigration and visa solicitors are here to guide you through the complex immigration rules and requirements. If you wish to meet one of our lawyers, please call our Immigration Team so we can assess your case and arrange your legal consultation to discuss a Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa Application.
Contact our London immigration solicitors on 02030110276 or complete our contact form.