Child dependant visa: Indian citizen in India → United Kingdom
Indian children apply for a UK family visa to join a parent in the UK, including proof of the parent's income, then give biometrics at a UK visa application centre in India.
A UK family visa for a child to join their parent in the UK. The child must live with the parent (unless in full-time education away from home) and not be married or in a civil partnership.
- Validity
- Granted in line with the parent's family visa permission. If 18 or over, you can only apply if your leave to remain on a family visa started when you were under 18.
- Entries
- Multiple entry while the visa is valid.
- Max stay per visit
- In line with your parent's family visa, after which you can apply to extend.
When to start
Start 30 days–3 months before your travel date.
Getting an appointment in India
- Delhi & Mumbai: usually 1–2 weeks for a slot; peak season can stretch towards 4 weeks.
- Tier-2 centres (Pune, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad) often have earlier slots — a train ticket can beat the wait.
- The New Delhi centre relocated in early 2026 — confirm the current address on the official VFS site before you go.
- Applicants report slots opening 7–21 days out in normal months — book the moment you pay your fee.
You can apply for a family visa to join your parent in the UK.
If you apply outside the UK you'll usually get a decision within 12 weeks.
You must live with your parent (unless living away in full-time education, e.g. boarding school or university) and not be married or in a civil partnership.
Complete the online family visa application to join your parent and pay the fee. Include proof of your parent's income if applying separately.
Book and attend an appointment at a UK visa application centre to provide fingerprints and a photo. Take the passport — it's usually returned the same day.
What you'll need
- Passport — The child's passport, taken to the biometrics appointment; it's usually returned the same day. ✓ verified
- Proof of your parent's income — Evidence of your parent's income, required when you apply separately from your parent. ✓ verified· applying separately from your parent
- Evidence you are not married or in a civil partnership — You must not be married or in a civil partnership to qualify as a dependent child. ✓ verified
Where you'll apply
Apply online from outside the UK, then attend an appointment at a UK visa application centre (VFS Global) in India to give biometrics. Children under 16 must attend with an adult over 18.
Fees
| Family visa (child) applied for outside the UK | GBP 2064 |
Gotchas to watch
- If you're 18 or over, you can only apply if you already have leave to remain on a family visa that started when you were under 18.
- You must not be married or in a civil partnership, and must live with your parent unless you're away in full-time education.