Appendix FM Child Applications: New Care and Accommodation Requirement from 3 August 2026

The two new Appendix FM provisions

Statement of Changes HC 259 inserted E-ECC.1.7 for a child seeking entry clearance and E-LTRC.1.7 for a child seeking permission to stay. E-ECC.1.7 requires suitable care and accommodation arrangements in the UK that comply with relevant UK law. E-LTRC.1.7 expressly applies where the applicant is under 18 on the application date and uses the same suitability and legal-compliance standard.

The Home Office explanatory memorandum says the purpose is to align Appendix FM with Appendix Children so that dependent children are assessed against the same safeguarding standard.

What “suitable care” may involve

The application should make clear who will have day-to-day responsibility for the child. In a straightforward case, that may be the parent with whom the child will live. More detail may be needed where the child will live with a relative, spend substantial periods at boarding school, arrive before a parent, or rely on different care during school holidays.

Relevant information can include:

• the identity and immigration position of the parent or carer;
• parental responsibility and consent to the child’s living arrangements;
• who will meet daily, educational and medical needs;
• school or nursery arrangements where relevant;
• plans during holidays or parental absences; and
• any local-authority involvement, court order or safeguarding support.

What “suitable accommodation” may involve

The Home Office’s Appendix Children guidance says care and accommodation must comply with relevant legislation and regulations, including housing and fire-safety requirements. A caseworker may check whether an address is residential and ask about the number of rooms if there is an occupancy concern.

Depending on the facts, evidence might include:

• a tenancy agreement, title record or host letter;
• the full address and a description of the property;
• the names, ages and relationships of other occupants;
• the number and intended use of rooms;
• evidence the family can lawfully occupy the property; and
• an explanation of any temporary or shared arrangement.

A short, accurate housing explanation is generally more useful than unexplained documents. Do not overstate room availability or omit an occupant because that appears more convenient.

When private fostering may matter

Where a child under 16, or under 18 if disabled, will be cared for full-time for more than 28 days by someone who is not a close relative, the arrangement may be private fostering and local-authority notification may be required. The precise law and definitions can vary within the UK, so take location-specific advice.

The Appendix Children guidance says a decision maker should seek confirmation that the local authority has been notified where there is a private fostering arrangement. Families should not leave this issue until after the visa application.

Entry clearance and permission to stay

For entry clearance, the application needs a credible plan for reception and care in the UK. It should identify who will meet the child, where the child will live and the consent position. For permission to stay, focus on the child’s current and proposed arrangements and explain any recent change.

The rules took effect on 3 August 2026. The implementation provisions in HC 259 should be checked against the exact application date, particularly where preparation began before the change.

Does living with a parent usually satisfy the rule?

The Appendix Children guidance says that in most cases, where a child will live with a parent or at school, college or university, further care checks are not needed. That does not remove the burden of meeting the rule. It means a straightforward, properly evidenced arrangement may not require disproportionate material unless something creates concern.

Common evidence gaps

• The application gives an address but does not say who lives there.
• The proposed carer is not the parent and no consent or legal basis is explained.
• The property documents are old, inconsistent or in a different name without explanation.
• The child’s holiday care is unclear.
• A possible private fostering arrangement has not been considered.
• The family relies on a future move but provides no credible plan.

Official sources

• Statement of Changes HC 259
• HC 259 explanatory memorandum
• Appendix Children caseworker guidance

Sources checked 6 August 2026. Review on any Appendix FM or child-guidance update and otherwise no later than 4 November 2026. General information only.