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Both parents have long-term UK visit visas and they want to visit the UK with their new baby. How should they apply for the baby's visa? Should they attempt to apply for a 10-year long-term visa with the same supporting evidence used for the parents?

Should anything be done differently than when applying as an adult individual or a family?

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Babies who are born outside the UK to parents who have long-term visit visas need to make an application that is fundamentally no different than any other applicant.

The form should be filled out by the primary and the primary should include a notarised scan of their entry clearance and the put their own GWF number in the remarks section (if available). If you plan for both parents or either parent to travel alone with the child, then both parents should submit notarised scans and their GWF numbers.

The big difference for this type of application is that (in addition to the Immigration Rules) Section 55 of the Borders Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 kick in and it's something they have been taking very seriously. Parliament has also told them to help enforce the various provisions of the Children Act 1989 concerning ALL children in the UK (it means they can and will challenge even Brits coming through if they want).

So evidence that establishes true distaff and spear side parentage must be included. They have the option, but not the obligation to get back to you during the application stage to get DNA testing done. You should also provide some very detailed evidence about child care for the times the child is in the UK and if anyone other than the parent will be providing care, information about them. I cannot stress enough UKVI's sobriety and determination where children are concerned.

You asked about what length of visa to ask for. Compare these three dates and select the earliest: expiry of the child's passport, expiry of the parent's passport, expiry of any parent's entry clearance. That's the length of visa you should ask for. They will not issue a visa to a child where the length extends beyond the accompanying guardian(s),

Finally, since having a baby is a big change of circumstances for YOU, and hence reportable against the terms and conditions of your own entry clearances. You would do that at your next landing interview. To play it strictly by the book you can say "I have a change of circumstances to report." They will know what to do after that. It's not a big deal as long as all the entry clearances are in order (you will get a +1 in your transcript) and it gets you off the hook in future applications for not reporting it.

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  • Thanks for the answer. Is it really necassary to include notarized versions of entry clearances? They can easily verify the photocopies from their own database. What would suffice as evidence of parentage? The infant's passport already includes the father's name. I know that some immigrant visa types require an original birth certificates, but I assume a notarized copy should be included here. 2) If the applicant asks for a a longer visa length, would it affect the absolute outcome of the application?
    – uberqe
    Aug 11, 2017 at 14:17
  • The applicants tells me he they did not report their marriage and both parents traveled on their old entry clearances and subsequently both managed to get visas without any issues. Would covering letters asking the ECO to issue a visa for their baby suffice as "reporting change in circumstances?" Appearing at the landing interview as a family should surely count as reporting "change in circumstances?" Is there any guide to what counts as "material change in circumstances?"
    – uberqe
    Aug 11, 2017 at 14:53
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    @uberqe the answer reflects best practices and the most effective procedures. If you think various shortcuts are acceptable or want to make other assumptions about what will suffice, that's your option. I cannot list everything. This answer has to stand "AS IS". If it does not satisfy your circumstances you can ask another question or wait for somebody else to give an alternate answer, please read stackoverflow.com/help/someone-answers thanks
    – Gayot Fow
    Aug 11, 2017 at 16:20
  • In effect, the visa validity for the child will end on the date of the end of the guardian's visa. Correct? So even if the child applied for a 10 year, he/she would get a visa valid only until the guardians' visa expiry date (in this case in 8 years).
    – uberqe
    Aug 11, 2017 at 16:53

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