Apply as a child to join or stay with a close relative in the UK
Overview
You may be able to apply to join or stay with a close relative in the UK if you鈥檙e a child with no-one else to look after you.聽
Eligibility
You must be under 18 with no family members who can support or care for you (other than your close relative in the UK).
Your relative must be a close relative but not your parent. They must have protection status (permission to stay as a refugee or person with humanitarian protection) but must not be settled in the UK or a British citizen.
To join a parent who has protection status or is now settled (has 鈥榠ndefinite leave to remain鈥�) after having protection status, you鈥檒l need to apply for family reunion instead. To join a relative who is settled in the UK or is a British citizen, you鈥檒l need to apply for a family visa instead.
How much it costs
You鈥檒l usually need to pay an application fee. How much it costs depends on whether you鈥檙e applying from outside or inside the UK.
You鈥檒l also need to pay the healthcare surcharge if either:
- you鈥檙e applying from inside the UK
- you鈥檙e applying from outside the UK to stay for more than 6 months
You might not need to pay the fees if you can prove that you cannot afford it.
Check how much money you鈥檒l need.
How to apply
How you apply depends on whether you鈥檙e applying from inside or outside the UK.
As part of your application, you鈥檒l need to prove your identity and your relationship to your relative.
How long it takes
If you鈥檙e applying from outside the UK, you鈥檒l usually get a decision within 12 weeks.
What you can and cannot do
You can usually stay in the UK for as long as your close relative has permission to stay.
You can do the following:
- study
- travel abroad and return to the UK
- apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as 鈥榠ndefinite leave to remain鈥�) when your close relative applies or once they are settled
You usually cannot apply for most benefits (public funds).