The non EEA resident parents of children studying in the United Kingdom with valid leave and attending an independent fee-paying day school in the UK, can come to the UK as a visitor under this visa.
ELIGIBILITY
The parents of a Tier-4 child must fulfil the following basic eligibility criteria to apply for a visa:
• their child must be below 12 years of age.
• their child has a valid leave to study in a Tier 4 institution.
• they maintain a second home outside the UK.
• they do not intend to work or study while they are in the UK.
• they intend to leave the UK on the expiry of their visa.
• they can adequately maintain and house themselves in the UK without resorting to public funds.
• they must prove that they can afford to meet the cost of their onward and return journey.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
The following documents are required by an applicant:
• a passport sized coloured photograph.
• a current passport or other valid travel identification.
• a tuberculosis (TB) test result if he is from a country where taking this test is necessary.
• he must also have the documents to prove that:
> he has a permanent home outside the UK.
> he has money to support himself and his children in the UK or has relatives to support them in the UK.
> he can afford the cost to leave the UK at the end of his stay.
> he was not last admitted in the UK under the Approved Destination Status Agreement with China.
VISA ENTITLEMENTS
An applicant can apply for this visa up to 3 months before his date of travel to the United Kingdom and he can expect a decision on his visa within 3 weeks.
This visa is usually valid for either 6 or 12 months and it can be extended for 12 months at a time until the applicant's child 12 years of age. The visa holder must leave the UK after his leave expires and he cannot switch to a different visa category.
FEES
The Parent of a Tier 4 Child visa costs £405.
DOs AND DON'Ts
The visa holder can:
• extend his visa for up to 12 months at a time until his child turns 12 years old.
The visa holder can't:
• get public funds.
• switch into a different immigration category.
• make the UK his main home.
• take paid work or study.
• bring his dependants on his application- they must apply separately.
