UK Dependent visa | Student Dependent Visa

UK Spouse Visa

UK Dependent or spouse/family visa

A Dependent visa enables overseas immediate family members of UK visa holders to come to the UK. Many different visa types allow holders to bring dependent family members to the UK, including work, study, business, and ancestry visas. The immigration rules refer to a PBS Dependent visa and Dependent visa. Both visas broadly have the same purpose; to allow dependent family members to join the main visa holder in the UK. PBS Dependent visas simply refer to the ability of those on points-based visas (e.g., work visas such as the Skilled Worker visa) to bring family members to the UK.

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Dependent Visa

A ‘dependent’ refers to a partner/spouse or child of the main visa holder.
Partners must either be married or in a civil partnership with the main visa holder, or they must have been living together for 2 or more years.
To apply for a child dependent visa, children must be under 18 years, or if 16 years or older, they must be dependent on the main visa holder. Being dependent means that they:
Are not living an independent life (i.e., not married, in a civil partnership, or have children)
Live with the main visa holder (unless they attend boarding school or university)
Are financially supported by the main visa holder

New rules for the UK dependent visa implemented in 2024

Beginning in January 2024, international students are no longer permitted to bring dependents to the UK unless they are engaged in PhD studies or postgraduate research programmes.

Additionally, from 11 March 2024, care workers and senior care workers will no longer be permitted to bring dependents.

UK Dependent visa new rules 2024

Your partner and children (‘dependents’) may be able to apply to come to the UK or stay longer in the UK.
You must be one of the following:
- A government-sponsored student starting a course that lasts longer than 6 months
- A full-time student on a postgraduate level course (RQF level 7 or above) that lasts 9 months or longer
- If your postgraduate level course starts on or after 1 January 2024, it must be either:
  - A PhD or other doctorate (RQF level 8)
  - A research-based higher degree

Who can apply for a student dependent visa?

Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible. They’ll need to complete separate applications.
If your partner or child’s application is successful, their visa will usually end on the same date as yours. If a child’s parents have visas with different expiry dates, the child’s visa will end on the earlier date.

Skilled worker dependent visa

Your partner and children cannot apply to join you or stay in the UK as your dependants unless you were employed as a care worker or senior care worker in the UK and on a Skilled Worker visa before 11 March 2024 and one of the following is true:

You’re currently still on a Skilled Worker visa
You’re extending your Skilled Worker visa with your current employer

You’re changing to a new job within the same occupation code while on a Skilled Worker visa

If you’re a care worker or senior care worker

Your partner or child can:

Work, except as a sportsperson or coach
Study
Travel abroad and return to the UK
Apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) if they’ve lived in the UK for 5 years and meet the other eligibility requirements
They cannot apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension.

What your partner or child can and cannot do

UK Dependent visa requirements

The general requirements for a UK dependant visa are:

Prove you meet the relationship requirements as a dependant family member (as a partner/spouse or child)
Prove you meet the financial requirements to have enough money to support your life in the UK
Prove your identity and relationship to the visa holder
Intend to live together with the sponsor while you are in the UK

Because dependant visas are available under several immigration categories, the specific requirements for a dependant visa in the UK will depend on the type of visa held by the sponsor (i.e., the main visa holder)

Dependent visa financial requirements

Whether any financial requirements apply will depend on the type of visa held by the main visa holder. For example, when applying for a Skilled Worker Dependant visa in the UK, it must be shown that the main visa holder or the applicant has the following:

£285 for a partner
£315 for one child and £200 for each additional child
In most cases, if the main visa holder and dependant have been in the UK for 12 months or more, there is no financial requirement.

Dependent visa validity and conditions

Dependent visas are typically granted for the same duration as permission given to the main visa holder. For example, if the main visa holder has a 2-year visa, the Dependent visa will also be granted for 2 years.

Dependent visa holders enjoy a great deal of flexibility and are able to live, work, study, and travel freely. Importantly, dependants do not require sponsorship to work in the UK and can change jobs and employers without seeking permission from the Home Office.

Dependent visa holders cannot, however, apply for public funds such as benefits while in the UK.