Children
UK citizens or permanent residents (mainly those with Indefinite Leave to Remain) can apply for their children, including adopted children, to join them in the UK. The procedures for adoption cases vary according to the country in which the adoption took place.
If you want your child to come to the United Kingdom both parents must show that they live and are settled in the United Kingdom. You will need to provide evidence of the relationship and evidence that your child can be adequately maintained and accommodated without recourse to public funds. Children under 18 must be unmarried and not leading an independent life.
If both parents are not in the UK it will be necessary to provide evidence as to why the child should join you in the UK, rather than stay with their other parent. In such cases, there are complicated rules which must be satisfied. We would strongly recommend that you seek professional legal advice in such cases.
While it is possible to bring children over 18 who are not living an independent life to the UK, it is very much more difficult: you will need to show that the child is dependent on you or on other relatives in the UK, and that there are exceptional, compassionate circumstances, for example a disability.
Whether or not people who are not settled but are working or studying in the UK can bring their children with them depends on the basis of their stay in the UK and this also affects the position of children born while they are here. EEA nationals benefit from special provisions
