Child Visa

What Is a Child Visa? Requirements, Documents & Application Guide

A child visa lets a minor child join a parent who is a citizen, resident or visa holder abroad. It is linked to the parent's status and pays special attention to consent and the child's welfare.

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By Krosz Editorial Team · Reviewed by Krosz Visa Operations · Updated 2026-09-15

Find requirements by country

Pick a destination and your passport — we'll open the right guide.

Destination

Passport

Purpose

Allowing a minor child to join a parent abroad.

Who it’s for

Minor children (and sometimes young adult dependent children) of a citizen, resident or visa holder.

How you apply

Sponsored application with birth, custody and consent documents.

How Krosz helps

Krosz helps you understand the child visa route and prepare documents. We are a private service and not a government authority.

Destinations

Where you can go — 10 countries

Researched from official immigration sources. Each country has its own detailed guide.

United States

US

Immigrant visa for a child: IR-2 / CR-2 (child of a U.S. citizen) and F2A (child of a green-card holder)

Money needed
The petitioning parent must sign a legally binding Form I-864 Affidavit of Support showing they can support the child.
Stay
Permanent residence (green card) from the date of admission; CR-2 residence is conditional for 2 years.
See requirements

Canada

CA

Family Sponsorship - Dependent Child (permanent residence)

Money needed
See official source
Stay
Permanent residence.
See requirements

United Kingdom

GB

Family visa - child joining a parent (Appendix FM / child route)

Money needed
If the parent holds a family visa, their income must meet the requirement for their visa type (for partners, the partner financial requirement). Exact thresholds were not confirmed for this record.
Stay
Permission normally matches the parent's; health surcharge periods for children are 2 years 6 months, 2 years 9 months or 5 years.
See requirements

United Arab Emirates

AE

Residence visa for family members (children sponsored by a resident parent)

Money needed
Minimum salary of AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation.
Stay
See official source
See requirements

Australia

AU

Child visa (subclass 101) - offshore; onshore equivalent subclass 802

Money needed
See official source
Stay
Permanent - the child can stay in Australia indefinitely.
See requirements

New Zealand

NZ

Dependent Child Resident Visa

Money needed
See official source
Stay
Live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely.
See requirements

Singapore

SG

Long-Term Visit Pass (child of a Singapore citizen/PR) and Dependant's Pass (child of an Employment Pass / S Pass holder)

Money needed
Dependant's Pass: sponsoring EP/S Pass holder must earn a fixed monthly salary of at least S$6,000 (MOM).
Stay
Dependant's Pass is tied to the parent's work pass validity; LTVP is issued for a fixed period and renewable.
See requirements

Germany

DE

National (D) visa for child family reunification - Section 32 Residence Act (Kindernachzug)

Money needed
See official source
Stay
Temporary residence permit linked to the parent's stay in Germany.
See requirements

Ireland

IE

Long Stay 'D' Join Family visa - minor child

Money needed
Category A sponsors (e.g. Irish citizens): gross income of at least EUR 75,000 cumulative over the 3 years before applying. Category C (e.g. General Employment Permit holders), 2026 table: net income above EUR 39,780 for 1 child (indicative gross EUR 50,200), EUR 45,032 for 2 (gross EUR 60,200), EUR 50,284 for 3 (gross EUR 70,100). Category B (e.g. Critical Skills permit holders) is assumed to meet income levels. Only one sponsor's income counts.
Stay
See official source
See requirements

Netherlands

NL

Residence permit for minor child to stay with parent (with MVV entry visa)

Money needed
See official source
Stay
If the parent has a temporary permit, the child's permit ends on the same date; if the parent is Dutch or has a permanent permit, it is valid for 5 years.
See requirements

Figures come from each country's official immigration source, linked on every guide. Always confirm before applying.

Overview

What is a Child Visa?

A child visa lets a minor child live with a parent in the destination. It is tied to the parent's status and is designed around the child's welfare and legal guardianship.

Applications require proof of the parent-child relationship and, where parents are separated, the other parent's consent or custody documents. Guardians travelling with children may need extra documentation.

It differs from a dependent visa (broader family of a work/study principal) and from adoption visa (for adopted children being brought abroad).

Who needs it

  • Minor children of a citizen, resident or visa holder living abroad.
  • Dependent adult children in some routes (e.g. full-time students).
  • Children joining a parent who holds a qualifying visa.

Who may not

  • Children who are citizens of the destination do not need a visa.
  • Short visits may use a visitor visa with the travelling parent.
  • Some newborns born in the destination acquire status automatically.

Exemptions depend on your nationality, destination and circumstances — always confirm for your exact case.

Activities

What you can do with it

Living with parent

Residing with the parent in the destination.

Schooling

Attending school in the destination.

Travel in & out

Entering and leaving during the stay.

What you normally cannot do

  • Stay if the parent's status ends.
  • Travel without the required consent documents in separated-parent cases.
  • Work beyond limits for older dependent children where set.
  • Be sponsored onward as a parent later under this visa.

Documents

Common requirements

Only documents relevant to this category. Exact requirements vary by country — confirm for your destination.

Child's passport

Valid with sufficient validity and blank pages.

Photograph

Recent photo meeting the destination's rules.

Application form

Completed child visa application.

Birth certificate

Birth certificate proving the parent-child relationship.

Consent documents

Other parent's consent or custody orders where parents are separated.

Parent's visa

Copy of the parent's visa or residence permit.

Support proof

Evidence the parent can support the child.

Process

How to apply

Steps may differ by destination and your circumstances.

  1. 1

    Confirm parent status

    Check the parent's visa or residence allows child dependants.

  2. 2

    Prove the relationship

    Gather the child's birth certificate.

  3. 3

    Arrange consent

    Get the other parent's consent or custody documents if needed.

  4. 4

    Apply & pay

    Submit the child visa application sponsored by the parent.

  5. 5

    Processing

    The authority verifies relationship, consent and welfare.

  6. 6

    Decision

    Receive the visa linked to the parent's stay.

Need help with your Child Visa?

Tell us where you're going — a Krosz visa expert will walk you through it.

Comparison

Child Visa vs Dependent Visa

Point of comparisonChild VisaDependent Visa
WhoMinor (and some dependent adult) childrenBroader family of a principal
ConsentOther parent's consent often requiredNot typically
BasisParent-child relationship + welfareFamily tie to the principal's visa
SchoolingCore purposeAllowed but not the focus

Be prepared

Why applications get refused

  • Missing other-parent consent in separated-parent cases.
  • Insufficient proof of the parent-child relationship.
  • Parent's visa does not allow child dependants.
  • Concerns about the child's welfare or guardianship.
  • Failed health checks (often for serious conditions).
Explore rejection intelligence

Practical

Tips before applying

  • Carry the child's birth certificate and, if separated, the other parent's consent.
  • Confirm the parent's visa allows child dependants before applying.
  • Apply for the child at the same time as the parent where possible.
  • Keep custody and consent documents official and translated if needed.
  • Arrange school arrangements if the child is school-age.
  • Carry consent letters when travelling with the child alone.

FAQ

Common questions

About the Child Visa, answered by Krosz visa experts.

What is a child visa?

A visa for a minor child to join a parent who is a citizen, resident or visa holder abroad, with proof of relationship and consent.

Do I need the other parent's consent?

Often yes, where parents are separated. The other parent's consent or custody orders are commonly required to protect the child.

Can the child study?

Yes, dependent children generally can attend school in the destination.

How long is the visa valid?

Usually linked to the parent's visa or residence status.

Does it differ from a dependent visa?

A child visa focuses on minor children, consent and welfare; a dependent visa covers broader family of a principal visa holder.

Can an adult child apply?

Some routes include dependent adult children, e.g. full-time students. Check the age limits.

What documents prove the relationship?

The child's birth certificate showing the parent-child link, plus consent or custody documents where relevant.

Can I travel with the child alone?

Yes, but carry a consent letter from the other parent where required, especially for international travel.

Not sure which country fits? Ask us.

Share your trip and a Krosz visa expert will explain the child visa process for your destination. No documents or payment needed at this stage.

Related

Related visa types

Krosz is a private visa & travel assistance service — not a government website, agency or embassy. Visas are granted solely by the relevant government authorities.

Krosz is a private visa assistance platform and is not affiliated with any government or embassy. Visa decisions are made by the relevant authorities. Last reviewed: 2026-09-15.

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