Child of British / settled parent — Appendix FM Child route

Appendix FM Child route allows children of British citizens or settled persons to enter / remain in UK. The route is specifically for biological / adopted children of the UK sponsor.

For [CHILD_NAME] (age [CHILD_AGE]) child of [PARENT_NAME] (a [PARENT_STATUS]):

§1 — APPENDIX FM CHILD ROUTE ELIGIBILITY (120-150 words)

Appendix FM E-ECC.1 / E-LTRC.1:

Eligibility:
  ▪ Child under 18 at time of application
  ▪ Child of British citizen, settled person, refugee, or humanitarian protection holder
  ▪ Genuine + subsisting parent-child relationship
  ▪ Parental responsibility evidence required
  ▪ Best interests of child paramount (s.55 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009)

If both parents in UK:
  ▪ Child seeks entry to join both parents OR is with one in UK seeking to join other
  ▪ Sole responsibility analysis may apply (see §3)

If one parent in UK + one abroad:
  ▪ Sole responsibility narrative needed for child to settle with UK parent

§2 — SOLE RESPONSIBILITY ANALYSIS (180-200 words)

Where one parent in UK has applied and the other is abroad, UKVI may scrutinise "sole responsibility" — only relevant where the foreign parent has limited involvement.

Three categories under Appendix FM:

(a) JOINT RESPONSIBILITY (both parents involved):
  ▪ Both parents make decisions about child's upbringing
  ▪ Both contribute to child's welfare financially / emotionally
  ▪ Child has access to / relationship with both

(b) SOLE RESPONSIBILITY (one parent only):
  ▪ One parent has sole / primary responsibility
  ▪ Other parent absent / not involved / deceased
  ▪ Document the sole responsibility:
    - Other parent's absence (deceased, abandoned, court order excluding)
    - Other parent's lack of contact / contribution
    - Custody order from court
    - Financial / day-to-day primary responsibility

(c) ABSENCE OF OTHER PARENT (deceased / unknown):
  ▪ Death certificate of absent parent
  ▪ Court order regarding parental responsibility

For [OTHER_PARENT_STATUS]: assess which category applies. If other parent is present in another country (e.g. India) but not actively involved in child's life, document carefully.

§3 — RELATIONSHIP + PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY EVIDENCE (150-180 words)

For [CHILD_NAME] applying:

A. Parentage evidence:
  ▪ Original birth certificate showing UK parent
  ▪ If different surnames (UK parent vs child): explanation
  ▪ Translation of foreign birth certificate (Indian birth certificate from municipal authority)

B. Parental responsibility evidence:
  ▪ Marriage certificate of parents (showing relationship)
  ▪ If divorced: court orders regarding parental responsibility / custody
  ▪ If never married: parental responsibility agreement / acknowledgement / court order

C. Current care evidence:
  ▪ School records showing care arrangement
  ▪ Medical records showing care arrangement
  ▪ Current address evidence
  ▪ Financial support to child (from UK parent)

D. UK parent's status evidence:
  ▪ UK parent's passport (British or BRP/eVisa)
  ▪ UK parent's UK residence + employment
  ▪ Photos with child throughout child's life

E. Future care arrangements in UK:
  ▪ UK accommodation suitable for child
  ▪ UK school enrolment / inquiry
  ▪ UK NHS GP registration plan
  ▪ Childcare arrangements if both parents working

§4 — FINANCIAL REQUIREMENT FOR CHILDREN (100-120 words)

Same as Spouse but with child supplement:
  ▪ Parent applying with child: GBP 32,800 minimum [VERIFY]
  ▪ Each additional child: +GBP 3,800
  ▪ Cash savings conversion (Category D) applies

For [CHILD_NAME] alongside Spouse:
  ▪ Total household income required: GBP 32,800 for partner + 1 child
  ▪ Cash savings supplementation possible
  ▪ Third-party support consideration (Mahad)

For children born in UK after parent's settlement:
  ▪ If born to British / settled parent: may be British citizen automatically
  ▪ Check at British Nationality Act 1981

§5 — APPLICATION DOCUMENTS (100-120 words)

Document bundle:
  □ Child's passport bio page
  □ Original birth certificate
  □ UK parent's birth/naturalisation certificate
  □ Both parents' passports (showing relationship)
  □ Marriage certificate of parents (if applicable)
  □ Parental responsibility evidence (custody orders, etc.)
  □ Photos with UK parent throughout child's life (10+ spanning years)
  □ Child's current school records
  □ Child's medical records (vaccinations, GP)
  □ UK parent's financial evidence
  □ UK accommodation suitable for child
  □ TB test certificate (if child 12+ and 6+ month stay)
  □ Application fee + IHS

§6 — CHILD-SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS (80-100 words)

Best interests of child (s.55):
  ▪ Continuity of education
  ▪ Healthcare access
  ▪ Family relationships
  ▪ Cultural / religious community ties

For Indian children:
  ▪ Languages: English + Hindi/regional Indian language
  ▪ Schools: free state schools (typical) or fee-paying
  ▪ Healthcare: UK NHS (IHS exemption for children under 18 dependants)
  ▪ Religious community in UK
  ▪ Indian school alternatives if not granted

§7 — APPLICATION FEES + PROCESSING (60-80 words)

  ▪ Application fee per child: same as Spouse (GBP 1,846 / 1,048) [VERIFY]
  ▪ IHS: GBP 1,035/year × 2.5 years per child = GBP 2,587.50
  ▪ Standard processing: 12-24 weeks outside UK
  ▪ Children process alongside parent's application typically

After grant:
  ▪ Visa valid for 30 months
  ▪ Free state school enrolment
  ▪ NHS access
  ▪ Switch to ILR alongside parents at 5 years

End with: "DRAFT — for OISC/IAA-registered adviser or solicitor review. Children's applications require careful sole responsibility analysis where other parent is in India. Document UK parent's full involvement throughout child's life. Best interests of child (s.55 + KO Nigeria + Patel) is paramount in any UKVI assessment."