Joining Your Loved One in the UK: A Simple Guide to the UK Dependant Visa

Introduction

The UK Dependant Visa allows spouses, partners, and children of individuals with UK visas like the Skilled Worker or Student visa to live with them in the UK.

Who Qualifies as a Dependant?

This includes your spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner (with proof of a genuine relationship), and children under 18. Children above the age of 18 may be eligible if they are already dependents in the United Kingdom and financially reliant on the primary applicant. Parents, siblings, and other extended family members are ineligible.

Applying for a Dependant Visa from outside the UK

1.     Submitting online applications through the UK Home Office website.
2.     Paying the visa cost and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). The IHS allows access to NHS healthcare. Adults pay £1,035 per year for a skilled worker dependent visa, while minors under the age of 18 pay £776. All dependents on a Student Dependant Visa must pay £776 per year.
3.     At a Visa Application Centre (VAC), provide biometric information (fingerprints and digital image).
4.     Submitting supporting documents, such as proof of relationship, evidence of financial maintenance, accommodation details, a Tuberculosis (TB) test (if required), a police clearance certificate (if the main applicant needed one), and proof of sole responsibility if only one parent is applying with a child.
5.     Waiting for a decision, which usually takes around 3 weeks.

Financial Requirements for Dependents

Dependants must prove they can be supported without public funds.

1.     For a Skilled Worker dependent visa

The requirements are £285 for a spouse/partner, £315 for one child, and £200 for each additional child. These funds must be held in the applicant's or sponsor's bank account for at least 28 consecutive days before applying, unless the main applicant has lived in the UK for 12 months or more.

2.     For Student dependent Visa

The requirements are £845 per month (up to 9 months) if the course is in London and £680 per month (up to 9 months) if the course is outside London. These funds must be held in the applicant’s bank account for at least 28 consecutive days before the application date.

Applying for a Dependant Visa Within the UK

Applying From Within the UK Dependants already in the UK may be able to extend their stay if the main applicant is extending their visa or switch to a UK dependent visa from an eligible visa type (e.g., from a student visa to a UK Spouse visa).

However, switching to a dependent visa from a Visitor visa, Short-term study visa, Parent of a Child Student visa, or Seasonal Worker visa is not permitted; applicants in these categories must leave the UK and apply from their home country.

UK Dependent visa Duration

A dependent visa is typically granted for the same duration as the main applicant’s visa. Extending the Dependent Visa To prolong a dependent visa, applicants must show that the connection is still real, that the financial conditions have been satisfied, and that there is enough housing. The application can be made concurrently or later, but the visa period will be the same as the primary applicant's.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for main applicant & dependants

When the primary applicant applies for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), dependents do not automatically obtain it. They must fulfil specified standards, such as residing in the UK as a dependent for 5 years, showing a genuine relationship, and spending no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period within the qualifying period. If a dependant is not yet eligible for ILR, they must extend their dependent visa.

Dependent Children and ILR When both parents have ILR, their dependent children under 18 can apply for ILR concurrently. If only one parent has ILR, the child usually waits until both parents are settled, unless the parent with ILR has sole parental responsibility. Children who turn 18 must still meet dependency requirements when applying for ILR, not leading an independent life.

British citizen for main applicant & dependants

When the Main Applicant Becomes a British Citizen Dependants do not automatically become citizens. They must usually apply for ILR first and then meet naturalization requirements after holding ILR for 12 months (if applicable). Failure to extend or apply for settlement before the visa expires can lead to overstaying and affect future applications.

Updates and Policy Changes

1.     Since March 11, 2024, dependants are no longer permitted for those applying under the Health and Care Worker visa route as Care Workers or Senior Care Workers.
2.     Since January 1, 2024, restrictions on Student Visa dependants mean only government-sponsored students on courses longer than six months and full-time postgraduate students on research-based degrees of nine months or longer (if the course started before January 1, 2024) can bring dependants. For postgraduate courses starting on or after January 1, 2024, dependants are generally only allowed if the course is a PhD or other doctorate (RQF level 8) or a research-based higher degree.

Contact Expert:

It is recommended to seek professional advice for UK Dependant Visa applications due to the complexity of the rules. Organisations like The SmartMove2UK offer assistance with these applications. They have helped many clients with their Dependent Visa applications. You can contact them for a consultation.