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Applying for a Child’s Visa While the Parent is in the UK and Child is Abroad

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2025 1:51 pm
by user34359
Hello everyone,

This is my first post, so I apologize if I miss any important details. I hope this topic can be helpful to others who might be in a similar situation.

Currently, I am in the UK on the Post Study Work (PSW) visa, accompanied by my spouse. We also have a six-month-old baby who was born here in the UK. When our child was born, we didn't apply for a visa for them because we had no immediate plans to travel. Instead, we only applied for a UK passport for the baby. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, we now need to travel back to our home country urgently.

As part of the travel plan, I will return to the UK after a short stay in our home country, while my spouse and child will remain there for a couple of months. During this time, I intend to apply for a Global Talent Visa in the UK, as I am eligible for it. My employer is also fully supporting me in this process, and they will provide all the necessary documentation for the visa application.

In addition to applying for my own visa, I am planning to apply for a visa for my child as well so they can return to the UK. I would like to clarify that my child will be in our home country with my spouse, while I will be in the UK when we submit the application.

My question is: is it possible to apply for my child’s visa under these circumstances, with the baby being outside the UK during the application process, and my return to the UK after a few months? If anyone has experience with a similar situation or can offer guidance, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

Re: Applying for a Child’s Visa While the Parent is in the UK and Child is Abroad

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2025 1:57 pm
by CR001
The child applies separately from the home country. You cannot apply for the child in the uk.

When does your wife's visa expire?

Re: Applying for a Child’s Visa While the Parent is in the UK and Child is Abroad

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2025 2:02 pm
by user34359
Thank you for such a quick response.

My wife's visa expire later this year in November so will have plenty of time for her and she can make her application after coming to the UK with the baby.

My only concern was for my child. Can I myself make the application for the child after returning to the UK? Will the process be any different than applying in the UK?

Re: Applying for a Child’s Visa While the Parent is in the UK and Child is Abroad

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2025 2:08 pm
by CR001
If your wife is not applying for a visa, a dependent visa for your child will have the same expiry date as your wife's visa in November. It will not have the same visa expiry as you will get.

You can complete the application for the child but the process is an out of UK application for biometrics and passport submission etc.

Re: Applying for a Child’s Visa While the Parent is in the UK and Child is Abroad

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2025 2:11 pm
by user34359
user34359 wrote:
Mon Mar 03, 2025 1:51 pm
Instead, we only applied for a UK passport for the baby. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, we now need to travel back to our home country urgently.
Just a small correction, we applied for Indian passport for the child, not UK.

Re: Applying for a Child’s Visa While the Parent is in the UK and Child is Abroad

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2025 2:11 pm
by user34359
CR001 wrote:
Mon Mar 03, 2025 2:08 pm
If your wife is not applying for a visa, a dependent visa for your child will have the same expiry date as your wife's visa in November. It will not have the same visa expiry as you will get.

You can complete the application for the child but the process is an out of UK application for biometrics and passport submission etc.
But I am the main applicant? The wife and child will be my dependent. How come the child's visa will end on the same date as my wife's visa?

Re: Applying for a Child’s Visa While the Parent is in the UK and Child is Abroad

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2025 2:19 pm
by CR001
Because the immigration rules state a child dependent visa will expire at the same time as the parent whose visa expires first. You don't have a choice in this.

Either they both apply together for a GTV dependent visa from abroad, or you apply for the child and then have to apply for the child again when your wife does later.

Re: Applying for a Child’s Visa While the Parent is in the UK and Child is Abroad

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2025 2:21 pm
by user34359
CR001 wrote:
Mon Mar 03, 2025 2:19 pm
Because the immigration rules state a child dependent visa will expire at the same time as the parent whose visa expires first. You don't have a choice in this.

Either they both apply together for a GTV dependent visa from abroad, or you apply for the child and then have to apply for the child again when your wife does later.
Thank you for the clarification on the matter.

Do we have any other options so that my wife and child can return to the UK and make their applications later this year?

Re: Applying for a Child’s Visa While the Parent is in the UK and Child is Abroad

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2025 2:24 pm
by CR001
No, not really.

They apply for a gtv deodent visa together or your child gets a shorter duration and you have to apply again when your wife does.

Those are your only two options.

Re: Applying for a Child’s Visa While the Parent is in the UK and Child is Abroad

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2025 3:24 pm
by user34359
Thank you so much for your guidance and support. Really appreciate it.

Re: Applying for a Child’s Visa While the Parent is in the UK and Child is Abroad

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2025 3:34 pm
by user34359
I have one more query, and that is regarding IHS refund.

If I apply now while my visa expires in November, will I get the IHS refund that I paid initially? I will have more than 6 months left on my visa and also do my dependents get IHS refund if I applied for their visa as well?