Can I make two visa applications at the same time

[concerned dad]

Hi

We have applied for a settlement visa for our son. His mother has a current Spouse visa - awarded in April this year.

We paid for the priority route but have been told that it's a not straightforward application and therefore has gone over the 30 working day target time.

We also have the option of applying for a Child Student visa for him as he has a place at a qualifying CAS school here in the UK.

We think that he would be able to get here quicker with the Child Student visa - which is a more straightforward one - than the settlement visa that is currently being looked at.

We paid a lot of money for the settlement application and we know that we will still need to apply for one even if he does come on the Student one as we want him to have the same citizenship status as his mother.

So, my question is, can we apply for the Child Student visa and leave the settlement application still being considered, or do we need to cancel the settlement visa?

Also, if we cancel the settlement visa, will this have a negative effect on the Child Student application?

Many thanks.

[secret.simon]

An applicant, in this case, your child, can have only one immigration application open with the Home Office at any point in time.

You can vary the settlement visa to a Child Student visa without cancelling it, but be aware that if the biometrics have been submitted, you are unlikely to get a refund on any fees already paid.

As an aside, on the settlement visa, keep in mind that the child would be granted the same status as the less privileged parent and would be eligible to apply for ILR along with the second parent.