Can my parents visit me in the UK?

Yes. Your parents can visit you on a Standard Visitor Visa for up to 6 months per visit. They need to meet the standard visitor requirements: evidence of funds, ties to their home country, and a genuine intention to leave after the visit.

Should I get a long-term visitor visa for my parents?

If your parents plan to visit regularly, a 2-year (£400), 5-year (£771), or 10-year (£963) visitor visa may be better value than applying for a new 6-month visa (£115) each time. Each visit is still limited to 6 months.

Can my parents come to help with a new baby?

Yes. Parents can visit to help with a new baby. However, they should not stay for extended periods repeatedly, as this may look like they are living in the UK rather than visiting. Keep visits within the 6-month limit.

Parents Visiting Children in the UK 2026

Parents visiting their children in the UK is one of the most common reasons for Visitor Visa applications. The key challenges are demonstrating ties to the home country (especially for retired parents) and showing sufficient financial support. This guide covers the requirements and practical tips.

What Your Parents Need

Your parents apply for a Standard Visitor Visa like any other visitor. They need:

Valid passport
Financial evidence (their own or yours as sponsor)
An invitation letter from you
Evidence of ties to their home country
Travel itinerary and return flights

Your Invitation Letter

Your invitation letter should include:

Your full name, address, and immigration status in the UK
Your relationship to your parents
The purpose and dates of the visit
Accommodation arrangements (if they are staying with you)
Any financial support you are providing

Include copies of your passport, BRP or settled status, and proof of address. If you are sponsoring them financially, include your bank statements and employment letter.

Challenges for Retired Parents

Retired parents may face extra scrutiny because they have fewer obvious ties to their home country (no job to return to). To strengthen the application:

Show property ownership in the home country
Show other family members (spouse, other children) still in the home country
Provide pension or retirement income evidence
Show a history of previous travel and return (if applicable)

Long-Term Visitor Visas

If your parents visit regularly (for example, annually to see grandchildren), a long-term visitor visa saves money and hassle:

2-year visa: £400
5-year visa: £771
10-year visa: £963

Each visit is still limited to 6 months. See our visitor visa cost guide for value comparisons. For full fee details, see our UK visa fees guide.

Frequent Visits: Be Careful

If your parents spend more time in the UK than in their home country, or visit for extended periods frequently, the Home Office may question whether they are effectively living in the UK. There is no formal rule about how often visitors can return, but spending more than 6 months out of every 12 in the UK is likely to cause problems at the border.

If your parents want to live with you long-term, explore the adult dependent relative visa route, though this has strict eligibility criteria.

Next Steps

Related guides:

For official information, see the GOV.UK Standard Visitor visa page and the GOV.UK visas and immigration hub.