Children
This page explains how you can bring your child or children, including adopted children, to the United Kingdom if you are already living here (either as a British citizen or otherwise) or are coming here for more than six months. By 'child' we mean someone who is under 18 years old.
On this page
For information on applying for a child to visit the United Kingdom for up to six months, go to the section on child visitors.
Children of British citizens and people settled in the United Kingdom
If you are a permanent resident of the United Kingdom or we have given you permission to live here permanently, you may be able to bring your children to live here permanently. The section on children of permanent residents contains more information.
There are additional requirements if you want to adopt a child abroad or bring a child you have already adopted to the United Kingdom.
Children of people who have limited permission to enter or remain in the United Kingdom as a worker or a student
If you have limited permission to enter or remain in the United Kingdom as a worker or a student, you may be able to bring your children to live with you while you are here. The section on children of temporary residents contains more information.
Unless you have sole responsibility for your children or there are serious reasons why they must be allowed to come to the United Kingdom, they will not be allowed to come and live here unless both parents are already living in or coming to the United Kingdom. The section on partners contains information about bringing your partner to the United Kingdom.
There are additional requirements if you want to adopt a child abroad or bring a child you have already adopted to the United Kingdom.
Registering children for British citizenship
The British citizenship section of this website contains information about registering children as British citizens.