Family Law Dependent Children

If you are settled (have Indefinite Leave to Remain - ILR or are a British Citizen) in the UK you can apply for your children, including adopted children, to join you here. You will need to meet requirements including providing evidence of the relationship and evidence that your child can be supported without relying on State benefits. The procedures for adoption cases vary according to the country in which the adoption took place.

Children under 18 must be unmarried and not leading an independent life. If both parents are not in the UK it will be necessary to provide evidence as to why the child should join you in the UK, rather than stay with their other parent. While it is possible to bring children over 18 who are not living an independent life to the UK, it is very much more difficult: you will need to show that the child is dependent on you or on other relatives in the UK, and that there are exceptional, compassionate circumstances, for example a disability.

Whether or not people who are not settled but are working or studying in the UK can bring their children with them depends on the basis of their stay in the UK and this also affects the position of children born while they are here. EU nationals benefit from special provisions.