The Immigration Rules for child protection purposes
All children applying to visit the United Kingdom will need to declare whether they are travelling alone or with an accompanying adult; if the latter, their visa will be endorsed to that effect and will only be valid if the child travels with that adult. In both cases there will be a need to satisfy the Entry Clearance Officer that satisfactory arrangements have been made for their care while they are in the UK. We do not expect these changes to be onerous for most applicants or that they will add significantly to the work of visa sections (in most cases it will simply be a matter of recording the child's parents' details, with whom the child is travelling, and where they will be staying). The visa application form (VAF 1) has been amended in order to capture the additional information The new VAF 1 form at the link below should be used for all VISITOR applications.
All children applying to visit the United Kingdom will need to declare whether they are travelling alone or with an accompanying adult; if the latter, their visa will be endorsed to that effect and will only be valid if the child travels with that adult. In both cases there will be a need to satisfy the Entry Clearance Officer that satisfactory arrangements have been made for their care while they are in the UK. We do not expect these changes to be onerous for most applicants or that they will add significantly to the work of visa sections (in most cases it will simply be a matter of recording the child's parents' details, with whom the child is travelling, and where they will be staying). The visa application form (VAF 1) has been amended in order to capture the additional information The new VAF 1 form at the link below should be used for all VISITOR applications.
Application form VAF1 - Visitor
Children as Visitors - Applicants FAQ
Q: What are the requirements of the children as visitor rules?
A: Children must meet the requirements of the visit rules. Additionally, they must show that they have a parent or guardian who is responsible for their care (in the UK and their home country), that they have suitable travel, reception and care arrangements concerning their travel to the UK and they must travel in the company of the adult identified on their visa.
Q: Who does this affect?
A: All persons under the age of 18.
Q: Why must child applicants provide these details?
A: To provide a record of children who travel to the UK as visitors. To identify adults involved in their travel and to establish who is responsible for the child’s care.
Q: Is it really necessary?
A: Yes. It is important that we have an accurate record of those persons who are involved in the travel, reception and care of children travelling to the UK.
Q: Is it more difficult for children to apply for a visa?
A: No. The application process is the same. The only additional information required is the consent of the parent or the legal guardian and details of the child’s travel, reception and care arrangements.
Q: How can a child ‘show that they have a parent or guardian who is responsible for their care and that they have suitable travel, reception and care arrangements for their travel to the UK'?
A: The application form must provide information about the child’s travel plans and the names and contact details of all the adults who are involved in the child’s application and travel arrangements. Additionally there should be evidence of parental consent, either on the Visa Application Form (VAF) as a statement and signature or as a letter attached to the VAF.
Q: What if a child is travelling with both parents? Who should be on the visa?
A: Two parents can be named on the child’s visa by using their passport numbers. The child can travel with either one of the named parents on the visa, or with both.
Q: What if a child wants to travel with an adult(s) who is not the parent(s) or legal guardian(s)?
A: Up to two adults can be identified on the child’s visa providing the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) has given consent, either by completing and signing the VAF on the child’s behalf, or by an accompanying letter which should be attached to the form.
Q: When is the visa valid?
A: The visa will only be valid for the holder travelling under those circumstances and within the dates specified.
Q: Can children apply for long-term visit visas, such as 1, 2, 5 and 10year visas?
A: Yes. A child may apply for a 6-month, 1, 2, 5 or 10year visa. It is important to note that the visa will only be valid when the child is travelling with the adult(s) recorded on the visa at the time of issue. If the child has an accompanied visa, but intends to travel with an adult not named on the visa or alone, the child must obtain a new visa before travel. The rules regarding single entry visit visas, and long-term visit visas remain the same, and apply to children as well as other types of visitor.
How to apply:
* Fill in VAF 1 form at the link below following the instructions carefully.
Children as Visitors - Applicants FAQ
Q: What are the requirements of the children as visitor rules?
A: Children must meet the requirements of the visit rules. Additionally, they must show that they have a parent or guardian who is responsible for their care (in the UK and their home country), that they have suitable travel, reception and care arrangements concerning their travel to the UK and they must travel in the company of the adult identified on their visa.
Q: Who does this affect?
A: All persons under the age of 18.
Q: Why must child applicants provide these details?
A: To provide a record of children who travel to the UK as visitors. To identify adults involved in their travel and to establish who is responsible for the child’s care.
Q: Is it really necessary?
A: Yes. It is important that we have an accurate record of those persons who are involved in the travel, reception and care of children travelling to the UK.
Q: Is it more difficult for children to apply for a visa?
A: No. The application process is the same. The only additional information required is the consent of the parent or the legal guardian and details of the child’s travel, reception and care arrangements.
Q: How can a child ‘show that they have a parent or guardian who is responsible for their care and that they have suitable travel, reception and care arrangements for their travel to the UK'?
A: The application form must provide information about the child’s travel plans and the names and contact details of all the adults who are involved in the child’s application and travel arrangements. Additionally there should be evidence of parental consent, either on the Visa Application Form (VAF) as a statement and signature or as a letter attached to the VAF.
Q: What if a child is travelling with both parents? Who should be on the visa?
A: Two parents can be named on the child’s visa by using their passport numbers. The child can travel with either one of the named parents on the visa, or with both.
Q: What if a child wants to travel with an adult(s) who is not the parent(s) or legal guardian(s)?
A: Up to two adults can be identified on the child’s visa providing the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) has given consent, either by completing and signing the VAF on the child’s behalf, or by an accompanying letter which should be attached to the form.
Q: When is the visa valid?
A: The visa will only be valid for the holder travelling under those circumstances and within the dates specified.
Q: Can children apply for long-term visit visas, such as 1, 2, 5 and 10year visas?
A: Yes. A child may apply for a 6-month, 1, 2, 5 or 10year visa. It is important to note that the visa will only be valid when the child is travelling with the adult(s) recorded on the visa at the time of issue. If the child has an accompanied visa, but intends to travel with an adult not named on the visa or alone, the child must obtain a new visa before travel. The rules regarding single entry visit visas, and long-term visit visas remain the same, and apply to children as well as other types of visitor.
How to apply:
* Fill in VAF 1 form at the link below following the instructions carefully.
* Ensure that the adult(s) whom you wish to be identified on the visa is the same adult(s) who will seek entry to the UK with the child application.
* Enclose passports, forms, photograph, and fee and any supporting documentation.
Last Updated: February 2009
