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Parents Visiting Children in the UK

Having your parents visit you in the UK is common, but the visa application requires care. This guide covers what your parents need to show, how you can support their application, and when a long-term visa makes sense.

Checked 2 September 20267 min readWritten by the Rowan Editorial Team
Section
Visitor Visa
Reading time
7 min
Last checked
2 September 2026
Source
The published Immigration Rules and GOV.UK guidance, linked throughout this guide.
Rowan does not
Look at your own case, tell you which route to choose, or say what the Home Office will decide. This guide shows the published rules and where to read them.

In short

  • Parents can visit for up to 6 months per visit on a Standard Visitor Visa.
  • An invitation letter from you is part of the usual evidence.
  • Long-term visitor visas (2-10 years) are good for regular visitors.
  • Retired parents may need extra evidence of ties to their home country.
  • Frequent or extended visits may raise concerns about living in the UK.

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:

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 and proof of your UK immigration status, along with proof of address. Biometric residence permits stopped being issued at the end of 2024, so UK status is now shown through an online immigration status (an eVisa) in a UKVI account, which you can share with a share code. 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 covers several visits on one application. A new 6-month visa costs £135 each time.

  • 2-year visa: £506
  • 5-year visa: £903
  • 10-year visa: £1,128

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 the visitor rules say a visitor must not live in the UK through frequent or successive visits.

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.

Questions and answers

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.

How much does a long-term visitor visa cost?

A 2-year visitor visa costs £506, a 5-year visa costs £903, and a 10-year visa costs £1,128. A new 6-month visa costs £135 each time. Each visit on a long-term visa 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.

This guide is general information about published immigration rules. It is not advice about an individual application under s.82 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, and Rowan is not regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority. Immigration rules change several times a year. For advice on a particular situation, contact an adviser authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority or an immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the authoritative current rules.

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