Parent Visas

The Parent route under Appendix FM applies where you are the parent of a child who is a British citizen, settled in the UK, or has lived in the UK for at least seven years. To qualify, you must not be in a relationship with the child’s other parent, or you must have sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing. You must also show that you are taking an active role in the child’s upbringing and have direct access (in person) to the child as agreed with the other parent or ordered by a court.

Unlike the Partner route, the financial requirement for the Parent route is assessed under the adequate maintenance test rather than the £29,000 income threshold. You must show that your income, after deducting housing costs, equals or exceeds the amount a family of your size would receive in income support. If the sponsor receives certain disability or carer’s benefits, the adequate maintenance test applies automatically.

You must also show that you have adequate accommodation that is owned or legally occupied exclusively by the family unit, available without recourse to public funds, and not overcrowded under the Housing Act 1985 standards.