Children under the age of 18 years can travel to the United Kingdom through a Child Visitor Visa. These applicants can travel on their own or can be accompanied by a designated guardian. These children must be able to prove to the UK Immigration Authorities that necessary arrangements have been made for their reception, accommodation and care in the UK. They must also have the permission from their parents or guardians in their home country for travelling, who are otherwise responsible for their care.
ELIGIBILITY
To come to the United Kingdom as a Child visitor, the applicant must:
be under 18 years of age.
be able to pay for his return and onward journey.
be visiting the UK for a maximum period of 6 months (12 months if travelling with an academic visitor).
have consent to travel to the UK from his parent or guardian.
have made necessary arrangements for travel and stay in the UK.
have enough funds to support himself in the UK without working or resorting to public funds in the UK, or he must have relatives or friends to support and accommodate him in the UK.
LONG TERM VISIT VISA
A child visitor can also apply for a long term visit visa if he can prove that he needs to pay several visits to the UK over a longer period. He will be allowed to stay in the UK for a maximum period of 6 months on each visit while his visa can validly last for 1,2,5 or 10 years. This long term visit visa for a child will last only up to 6 months past the applicant's 18th birthday, after which he will need to apply for a long term visit visa as an adult. Some additional requirements for a long term visit visa for a child are:
• he must prove that he have a frequent and ongoing need to come to the UK.
• he must intend to leave the UK at the end of each visit.
• he must prove that his reason for coming to the UK is unlikely to change significantly while the visa is valid.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
• A current passport or a valid travel identification.
• A passport sized coloured photograph.
• Evidence of being able to support oneself in the UK (eg bank statement) or that he will be financially supported by his parents or carers.
• Contact details of at least one parent or guardian in the home country.
• Detailed information of where he intends to stay and his travel plans- ticket etc.
• His Tuberculosis (TB) test results if he is from a country where taking this test is necessary.
• If coming to the UK for studying, one must also provide details of the course and the institution where he will be studying.
• Some additional documents from the applicant's parents or guardian if he intends to travel alone to the UK.
• If a child visitor is accompanied by someone except his parents, then he will need to provide specific information about the companion in the application.
STUDY IN THE UK AS A CHILD VISITOR
A child visitor can take a short course ( of up to 6 months) during his visit in the UK but he must be accepted on a course at a place of study listed by the authorised bodies in the UK.
FEES
A child visa costs around £83.
A long term visitor visa cost for:
• 1 year- £300
• 2 years- £300
• 5 years- £544
• 10 years- £737
DOs and DON'Ts
A child visitor can:
• stay in the UK for a maximum of 6 months.
• study a course that last for a maximum period of 6 months.
• stay for as long as your visa lasts, even if you turn 18 during your visit.
A child visitor can't:
• work
• get married or form a civil partnership.
• get public funds.
• study at a government funded institution.
• get private medical treatment.
• get family member or dependants along.
