Parent of Child Student Visa UK

The Parent of a Child Student visa allows one parent to accompany their child while they study at an independent (fee-paying) school in the UK. It is a temporary immigration route with strict eligibility rules and limited rights, including a complete prohibition on working in the UK. For UK employers and HR directors, understanding these restrictions is critical to avoid compliance breaches during right to work checks or when assessing applicants for employment.

What this article is about: This guide explains the Parent of a Child Student visa from an employer and HR perspective. It covers who can apply, the application process, conditions of stay, and — most importantly — the work prohibition and right to work implications. It also clarifies that this route is available only where the child attends an independent school (not a state school), that parents must demonstrate adequate maintenance and accommodation without recourse to public funds, and that the visa ends at the earlier of the child’s visa expiry or their 12th birthday. Switching into other immigration categories is generally not permitted from within the UK, save for limited scenarios such as eligible partner routes. Fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge are reviewed periodically; always verify current rates on GOV.UK.

 

Section A: Overview of the Parent of a Child Student Visa

 

The Parent of a Child Student visa is a narrowly defined immigration route designed for one parent to accompany their child under 12 who is studying in the UK at an independent (fee-paying) school. It is not a work or settlement visa, but a temporary stay option overseen by the Home Office. For HR directors and employers, understanding this framework is vital to avoid compliance risks.

 

1 What is the Parent of a Child Student visa?

 

This visa allows one parent to live in the UK to provide day-to-day care and supervision for their child who holds, or is applying for, a Child Student visa. The visa is directly tied to the child’s study and expires at the earlier of the child’s visa expiry date or their 12th birthday. It is strictly limited to its caregiving purpose and cannot be used to work or settle in the UK.

 

2 Who can apply?

 

Only one parent may apply under this route. The other parent may visit the UK on a different visa, such as a Standard Visitor visa, but cannot live in the UK on this visa. The applicant must show a genuine parental relationship with the child and an intention to live with and care for the child during their studies. Partners or other children cannot be included as dependants under this visa, although they may apply for separate visas where eligible.

 

3 Key restrictions on visa holders

 

The Parent of a Child Student visa carries strict conditions, including:

• No permission to work in the UK — this includes paid employment, self-employment, unpaid work, and voluntary roles.
• No access to public funds.
• No permission to study, except for short courses.
• Requirement to leave the UK when the child turns 12, or when their Child Student visa ends — whichever comes first.

 

These restrictions mean the route is strictly limited to supporting a child’s education, without providing broader immigration or employment opportunities.

 

Section A Summary
The Parent of a Child Student visa allows one parent to care for a child studying at an independent school in the UK until the child turns 12. It is a restricted route, prohibiting all work and settlement rights. For employers, the critical point is that this visa type does not provide the legal right to work under any circumstances.

 

Section B: Application Process

 

The Parent of a Child Student visa application process is structured to ensure that only eligible parents, with a clear purpose of accompanying their child, are granted permission to stay in the UK. For employers and HR managers, understanding these requirements reinforces why this visa prohibits employment.

 

1 Eligibility criteria

 

To qualify, the applicant must:

• Be the parent of a child under 12 years old who holds, or is applying for, a Child Student visa to attend an independent (fee-paying) school in the UK. This route is not available if the child attends a state school.
• Demonstrate a genuine parental relationship with the child.
• Show an intention to live with and provide day-to-day care for the child.
• Prove adequate maintenance and accommodation for themselves and the child, without relying on public funds.
• Apply from outside the UK, as switching into this visa category from within the UK is not permitted.

 

2 Required documents

 

Applicants must provide evidence to support their application, typically including:

• A valid passport or travel document.
• Evidence of the child’s Child Student visa or pending application.
• Proof of the parental relationship, such as a birth certificate.
• Financial documents showing adequate maintenance and accommodation for both parent and child.
• Tuberculosis test results, if applying from a country where testing is required.

 

All documents must meet Home Office evidential requirements and should be originals or certified copies.

 

3 Application steps and processing times

 

The application process involves:

1. Completing the online application form on the GOV.UK portal.
2. Paying the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
3. Booking and attending a biometric appointment at a visa application centre.
4. Submitting supporting documents online or in person at the appointment.

 

Processing usually takes around three weeks for overseas applications, though this can vary depending on the country and availability of priority services.

 

4 Visa fees and health surcharge

 

The application fee for a Parent of a Child Student visa is £637 (2025). In addition, applicants must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1,035 per year, giving them access to NHS services during their stay. Fees and surcharge levels are subject to annual review and may change; applicants should always confirm the latest rates on GOV.UK.

 

Section B Summary
The application process requires careful preparation of parental, financial, and accommodation evidence. Applications must be made from outside the UK, with significant costs including the visa fee and health surcharge. These conditions highlight the visa’s narrow purpose: to allow a parent to accompany a child at an independent school, without conferring any right to work or settle.

 

Section C: Conditions of Stay in the UK

 

Once granted, the Parent of a Child Student visa comes with very specific conditions that govern how long the parent can stay in the UK and what activities they are permitted to carry out. For HR directors and employers, the most important point is the absolute prohibition on work, which has direct compliance implications for right to work checks.

 

1 Duration of stay and extensions

 

The visa is granted either until the expiry of the child’s Child Student visa or until the child turns 12, whichever comes first. Parents may apply to extend their stay if the child continues their studies and the eligibility conditions remain satisfied. Once the child turns 12, the parent is no longer eligible under this route and must either leave the UK or apply for a new visa if eligible under another category.

 

2 Work prohibition and implications for employers

 

Holders of this visa are prohibited from working in the UK in any form. This restriction covers:

• Paid employment.
• Self-employment.
• Unpaid work.
• Voluntary roles.

 

Employers must ensure that individuals presenting this visa during right to work checks are not offered employment. Employing a Parent of a Child Student visa holder would amount to illegal working, exposing the business to civil penalties of up to £60,000 per breach, possible criminal liability, and reputational damage.

 

3 Study restrictions

 

Parents on this visa are not permitted to study in the UK, except for short courses which do not interfere with their childcare responsibilities. The restriction reflects the narrow purpose of the visa: providing care for the child, not pursuing education or employment.

 

4 Switching routes and settlement options

 

The Parent of a Child Student visa does not provide a pathway to settlement in the UK. Parents cannot apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under this route. If they wish to remain in the UK after the visa ends, they generally need to apply for a new visa from outside the UK, such as a Skilled Worker or partner visa, provided they meet the eligibility requirements. Switching from within the UK is generally not permitted, other than in limited circumstances explicitly set out in the Immigration Rules.

 

Section C Summary
The Parent of a Child Student visa is highly restrictive. It is granted only until the earlier of the child’s visa expiry or their 12th birthday and prohibits all forms of work and most study. It does not lead to settlement. For employers, the clear takeaway is that this visa type never provides the right to work, making strict right to work checks essential.

 

Section D: Employer and HR Considerations

 

For HR directors and employers, the Parent of a Child Student visa is a clear example of a route with no right to work. Understanding how to identify this visa and recording compliant right to work checks is essential to avoid civil penalties, criminal exposure, and reputational harm.

 

1 Right to work checks: what HR needs to know

 

UK employers must complete a compliant right to work check before employment begins. A Parent of a Child Student visa holder has no permission to work. Where this status is presented, the correct outcome is that the individual cannot be employed in any capacity (paid, unpaid, voluntary, or self-employed). Employers should:

• Obtain, check, and copy acceptable evidence of status, ensuring the document relates to the individual and is valid at the time of the check.
• Use the Home Office online right to work service where applicable and retain the profile output with date of check.
• Date and store copies securely for the duration of employment and two years after it ends.
• Repeat checks where time-limited permission applies to employees with continued employment.

 

Where the check confirms the visa category is Parent of a Child Student (or otherwise indicates no permission to work), employment must not proceed.

 

2 Risks of employing a Parent of a Child Student visa holder

 

Employing an individual without the right to work is unlawful. Risks include:

• Civil penalties of up to £60,000 per illegal worker.
• Potential criminal liability where the employer knows or has reasonable cause to believe the person has no right to work.
• Reputational damage and adverse media attention.
• For sponsor licence holders, increased Home Office scrutiny, potential compliance action, rating downgrades, suspensions, or revocation.

 

If any doubt arises during onboarding, pause hiring and seek immigration advice before proceeding.

 

3 Compliance best practices for UK employers

 

To minimise risk and maintain a statutory excuse against civil penalties, employers should:

• Embed a documented right to work policy aligned to the latest Home Office guidance and train HR/recruitment staff regularly.
• Conduct checks before employment starts and diarise follow-up checks where permission is time-limited.
• Use the official online right to work service where available; avoid reliance on uncertified third-party summaries.
• Escalate ambiguous or complex cases (including Parent of a Child Student visa queries) for specialist review before issuing offers or contracts.
• Maintain accurate records and audit trails to evidence compliant processes.

 

Robust processes help prevent unlawful working and protect any sponsor licence held by the business.

 

Section D Summary
Holders of the Parent of a Child Student visa have no right to work. Employers must identify this status during right to work checks and must not proceed with employment. Failing to do so can lead to substantial civil penalties, possible criminal exposure, and sponsor licence risk. Consistent, well-documented checks and trained HR staff are the best defence.

 

FAQs

 

 

1 Can a parent on this visa work in the UK?

 

No. The Parent of a Child Student visa does not allow any form of work, including paid employment, self-employment, unpaid work, or voluntary roles. Employers must not proceed with hiring if this status is presented during right to work checks.

 

2 How long can the parent stay in the UK?

 

Permission is granted until the earlier of the child’s Child Student visa expiry or the child’s 12th birthday. An extension may be possible while eligibility continues, but once the child turns 12 the parent must leave the UK or qualify under another route.

 

3 Can both parents come to the UK on this route?

 

No. Only one parent can live in the UK under this route. The other parent may visit on a separate visa (for example, as a Standard Visitor) but cannot reside in the UK under the Parent of a Child Student route.

 

4 Does the child have to be at an independent school?

 

Yes. This route is only available where the child is attending an independent (fee-paying) school on a Child Student visa. It is not available if the child attends a state school.

 

5 Can the parent switch to another visa or get settlement?

 

This route does not lead to settlement (ILR). Switching from within the UK is generally not permitted. If eligible for another route (for example, a partner or Skilled Worker route), a new application is usually made from outside the UK.

 

Conclusion

 

The Parent of a Child Student visa is a temporary and highly restricted immigration route. It allows one parent to accompany a child under 12 studying at an independent school in the UK but does not provide any right to work, settlement options, or access to public funds. Its sole purpose is to enable parental care during the child’s studies.

For UK employers and HR directors, the key compliance point is that holders of this visa cannot be employed in any capacity. Attempting to do so exposes the business to serious penalties, criminal risk, and potential Home Office action against any sponsor licence held. Employers must ensure rigorous right to work checks are applied and staff are trained to recognise visa categories without work permission.

By maintaining strong compliance processes and verifying immigration status accurately, employers can prevent illegal working and demonstrate a commitment to lawful hiring practices.

 

Glossary

 

Term	Definition
Parent of a Child Student visa	A UK visa allowing one parent to accompany a child under 12 studying at an independent school. It does not allow work or settlement.
Child Student visa	The visa route for children aged 4–17 to study at an independent (fee-paying) school in the UK.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)	A mandatory fee giving visa holders access to NHS services during their stay in the UK. The charge is set annually by the Home Office.
Right to work checks	Checks employers must carry out to confirm that an employee has legal permission to work in the UK. These are a statutory requirement.

 

Useful Links

 

Resource	Link
GOV.UK – Parent of a Child Student visa guidance	Visit site
GOV.UK – Child Student visa guidance	Visit site