At First Law Solicitors, we help parents secure lawful residence for their children under the Child of a Parent with Leave to Remain (LTR) route. Whether your child was born in the UK or abroad, we ensure their immigration status matches your own, safeguarding their future in the United Kingdom.
Based in Manchester and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA ID No: 665823), our immigration team provides detailed, outcome-driven representation for families navigating the complexities of Appendix FM: Children. Every case is handled with precision, compassion, and an understanding of the emotional importance of keeping families together.
This route is designed for children whose parent or parents are already living in the UK with limited leave to remain. It ensures that dependent children can remain lawfully in the UK with their parent, reflecting the Home Office’s statutory duty under Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 to safeguard the welfare of children.
A child may qualify if they:
If both parents are in the UK, the child’s visa will generally be linked to the same duration as the parent with the longer period of leave. If only one parent holds valid leave, the Home Office will assess whether the other parent is involved in the child’s life and if continued residence is in the child’s best interests.
Applications are made under Appendix FM: Children, and the decision must comply with both the Immigration Rules and Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which protects the right to family life.
Where the strict Immigration Rules cannot be met, the Home Office must still consider whether refusal would be disproportionate under Article 8, particularly where the child has lived in the UK for several years or where removal would disrupt the family unit.
Our solicitors prepare persuasive representations that address both the Immigration Rules and wider human rights considerations, ensuring your child’s case meets the highest evidential and legal standards.
Every application must show that the child is genuinely dependent on their parent. We prepare and organise detailed supporting evidence, including:
Where parents are separated, we also provide evidence of sole or shared parental responsibility, court orders (if applicable), and statements clarifying the nature of the child’s contact with the other parent.
All documents are reviewed in accordance with Appendix FM-SE, which sets out the Home Office’s evidential standards for family applications.
If your child was born in the UK but does not automatically qualify for British citizenship, they may still be granted leave in line with your immigration status.
Our solicitors assist with:
We ensure every application is future-proof, preserving your child’s eligibility for indefinite leave to remain and eventual citizenship.
Where a child is born overseas, they must obtain entry clearance before joining their parent in the UK. We manage the full application process, preparing detailed representations that demonstrate both parental relationship and adequate maintenance and accommodation without recourse to public funds.
Our solicitors liaise with the relevant Visa Application Centre, ensuring compliance with local document authentication and translation requirements.
If your child’s application is refused, we act swiftly to challenge the decision through Administrative Review or an appeal before the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber).
Appeals often focus on Article 8 ECHR and the best interests of the child. We prepare detailed witness statements, welfare assessments, and submissions citing relevant case law such as ZH (Tanzania) v SSHD [2011] UKSC 4 and EV (Philippines) [2014] EWCA Civ 874, ensuring the Tribunal is fully informed of the human impact of refusal.
All applications are filed securely via the Home Office digital platform (MyHMCTS). Under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, we utilise Digital ID Verification and Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) to ensure secure, paperless submissions.
This allows us to manage your child’s case efficiently from anywhere in the world, with full compliance and data integrity throughout.
At First Law Solicitors, we believe that a child’s right to stability should never depend on administrative complexity. We combine strategic legal expertise with a human focus to achieve lasting solutions for families.
Strategic Oversight: Every case is reviewed by a senior solicitor with specialist expertise in family-based immigration.
Holistic Support: We coordinate with family law professionals to address issues of parental responsibility and guardianship where necessary.
Future Planning: We structure each application to support eventual settlement and British citizenship, ensuring long-term stability.
If you are a parent with limited leave to remain and need to secure lawful status for your child, contact First Law Solicitors for expert legal guidance.
Call 0044 161 224 4066
Complete our secure online enquiry form to arrange a private consultation with an immigration solicitor.
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