My child has turned 18: what should we check before visa renewal?

Start with the permission your child already has

This guide is for children who already hold dependant permission linked to a Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker parent. A dependant is a family member whose permission is linked to another person’s immigration route. Turning 18 does not automatically mean they must leave or get their own work visa.

The current Appendix Children rules allow an application at 18 or older where the last permission was as that parent’s dependent child and the stated permission-validity conditions are met. Check the expiry before making plans. Do not treat any exception for expired permission as extra time you can safely use.

Care worker and some other job categories have extra dependant restrictions and exceptions. Check the parent’s job category, sponsorship history and the relevant route guidance. Sources were checked on 14 October 2026.

Separate having a job from living an independent life

The Skilled Worker rules normally allow dependants to work, including self-employment and voluntary work. Work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach is excluded. Check the conditions attached to the actual permission.

Being allowed to work and meeting the next application’s family conditions are separate checks. The rules define not leading an independent life through partner status and living with a parent, with an exception for full-time education away from home. They do not define it simply by whether someone has a job.

A partner can include a spouse, civil partner or an unmarried relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership lasting at least two years. Do not stop the check at whether the child is married. If the facts are unclear, explain them to a regulated adviser.

Keep home and full-time study records

The published guidance permits living away at boarding school, college or university as part of full-time education. The caseworker guidance says the child must normally live with the parent. Moving away for another reason should not be described as this study exception.

Ask the college or university for a letter confirming the course and whether it is full time. Keep the course dates, home address and term-time accommodation details. Explain which address each document shows.

Made-up example: a 20-year-old lives with his parents, attends college and works weekends. He keeps his permission details, address records and college letter. Another student lives in university accommodation during term. Her family keeps both addresses and the course information. These examples show preparation, not guaranteed eligibility.

A course abroad raises a separate travel question. Keep departure and return dates and course records. Do not assume that a study exception answers every rule about time outside the UK.

Plan for changes before the application

Review the record when the child moves, finishes a course, starts a relationship or gets new permission. Save the actual date and the document that explains the change. If a date is uncertain, say so.

In REKODHA, keep these records with the correct family member. A brief history is more useful than a folder where school letters, addresses and old permissions have no explanation.

The address examples on GOV.UK include bank statements, driving licences, NHS registration documents and official college or university letters. Follow the application’s own document requests. A preparation record is not automatically a compulsory attachment.

Check settlement as a separate application

Settlement, also called indefinite leave to remain or ILR, lets someone stay without a time limit. A child’s settlement application has its own family and earlier-permission conditions. Both parents’ circumstances can matter, subject to the specified exceptions.

Adult child applicants also need separate English-language and Life in the UK checks, including exemptions. For Skilled Worker dependants, the published rules specify English at B1 before 26 March 2027 and B2 from that date. B1 and B2 are language levels; B2 is the higher level. This is a dated rule change, not just a proposal.

Check what proof is accepted before booking a test. Do not copy the main applicant’s checklist. If home, study, relationship or parents’ circumstances are disputed or complicated, get regulated advice before deciding what to submit.

A small step you can take today

Use this checklist to review your starting point.

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