Advice Needed – Bringing Minor Dependant Back to the UK on Compassionate Grounds (Post-Study Visa)

[shamnafath]

Hello,

I am seeking urgent advice regarding my 6-year-old daughter’s return to the UK on compassionate grounds.

I first came to the UK in 2023 on a student visa. My husband and daughter (then 4) joined me in November 2023 as my dependants. In August 2024, due to the demands of my studies and an additional teaching course, I temporarily sent my daughter to India to be cared for by my father and sister. At that time, her dependant visa was valid until 31st December 2024.

I am now on a 2-year Graduate Route (post-study work) visa, valid until January 2027, and working full-time as a Primary school teacher. Unfortunately, I could not apply for my daughter’s visa renewal in January 2025 along with mine.

Since then, my father (her primary carer in India) suffered a stroke around 2.5 months ago and has been hospitalised for over 80 days. He is also a dialysis patient and now needs continuous assistance. My father is now paralysed due to stroke & requires additional support himself, he's completely unable to cater to her needs.

At this stage my daughter is seeking deep emotional & mental support & longs to be with her parents (Us). My sister is struggling to manage his care alongside my daughter’s needs. There is now no one in India who can give her the level of care, attention, and emotional security that a young child of her age requires. She is at a tender and vulnerable stage in her life, and being separated from her parents while lacking a dedicated caregiver is causing her significant distress. Each passing day, she feels the absence of a safe, stable, and loving environment ,something only we, as her parents, can provide her now.

My daughter has been emotionally affected and misses her parents. I wish for her to live with us in the UK, continue her education here, and receive the parental care she needs.

Could anyone advise:
• Whether a dependant visa application is possible under my current post-study work visa, and
• If not, what other visa or compassionate/exceptional route might apply?
• What supporting evidence would strengthen the case?

I can provide my father’s medical records, proof of my employment, and any other relevant documents.

Thank you for your time and guidance.

[secret.simon]

Have you looked at getting a job that would qualify you for a skilled worker visa? That may be the surest way to be able to sponsor your immediate nuclear family over.

Generally, compassionate grounds, etc, apply to people already in the UK who may have extenuating circumstances for extending their stay in the UK. I am not sure that they would apply for people who are outside the UK.

Also, why can't your husband move back to your daughter's country of residence to take care of her?

[razergd1]

Hello,

I am seeking urgent advice regarding my 6-year-old daughter’s return to the UK on compassionate grounds.

I first came to the UK in 2023 on a student visa. My husband and daughter (then 4) joined me in November 2023 as my dependants. In August 2024, due to the demands of my studies and an additional teaching course, I temporarily sent my daughter to India to be cared for by my father and sister. At that time, her dependant visa was valid until 31st December 2024.

I am now on a 2-year Graduate Route (post-study work) visa, valid until January 2027, and working full-time as a Primary school teacher. Unfortunately, I could not apply for my daughter’s visa renewal in January 2025 along with mine.

Since then, my father (her primary carer in India) suffered a stroke around 2.5 months ago and has been hospitalised for over 80 days. He is also a dialysis patient and now needs continuous assistance. My father is now paralysed due to stroke & requires additional support himself, he's completely unable to cater to her needs.

At this stage my daughter is seeking deep emotional & mental support & longs to be with her parents (Us). My sister is struggling to manage his care alongside my daughter’s needs. There is now no one in India who can give her the level of care, attention, and emotional security that a young child of her age requires. She is at a tender and vulnerable stage in her life, and being separated from her parents while lacking a dedicated caregiver is causing her significant distress. Each passing day, she feels the absence of a safe, stable, and loving environment ,something only we, as her parents, can provide her now.

My daughter has been emotionally affected and misses her parents. I wish for her to live with us in the UK, continue her education here, and receive the parental care she needs.

Could anyone advise:
• Whether a dependant visa application is possible under my current post-study work visa, and
• If not, what other visa or compassionate/exceptional route might apply?
• What supporting evidence would strengthen the case?

I can provide my father’s medical records, proof of my employment, and any other relevant documents.

Thank you for your time and guidance.

I think your only option is skilled worker visa. If you apply for compassionate grounds the view will be for you to return to India rather than for them to grant permission.

[shamnafath]

Thank you for your response and for taking the time to share your advice.

Yes, the school I am currently working with has indicated that sponsorship could be an option for me, but only after a few months , most likely after 6–8 months , as I am still very new in the role. At this stage, it feels premature to request sponsorship, and even if I did, the process would take time.

My husband works remotely and, due to the nature of his job, often has to travel, meaning he is not always at home. You may understand me, perhaps more than anyone else, from the perspective of a mother ,my young daughter needs me by her side for emotional comfort, guidance, and stability.

One of the key advantages of my current situation is that I can take my daughter to the same school where I work, which gives me greater flexibility and peace of mind, knowing she is close to me during the day. This arrangement would provide a sense of security and allow me to fully focus on my work without the constant worry of her being far away.

It’s not easy for me to consider leaving my job and returning to India because I have significant financial responsibilities here, and this position enables me to support my family. I strongly wish for my daughter to continue her education here in the UK, as I believe it would be far more beneficial for her learning, emotional growth, and overall development. I am ready to bear all the costs involved in reuniting her with me.

Lately, I have been in a deeply distressed state, struggling to focus on my daily tasks and responsibilities, as thoughts of her are constantly on my mind. It is a painful and helpless feeling as a parent. I know that this country values human empathy and understanding of personal circumstances, and I kindly request that you consider my situation with these values in mind.

[CR001]

Unfortunately, it is not possible to apply for a post graduate dependent visa from abroad. It never has been. There is also no other route other than skilled worker dependent route at this stage, that would be applicable only if you or your husband, switched to skilled visa.

You should have brought her over before her visa expired and applied for her when you and your husband did within the uk.

You state her visa expired 31st December 2024. That is the date all BRP cards expired, not necessarily the actual visa. What was your actual student visa, and her dependent visa, expiry date??