Table of Contents
- What is a Dependant visa?
- Who can apply for a Dependant visa?
- Core requirements for a dependant partner
- Core requirements for a dependant child
- Dependant visa vs family visa: the difference
- Dependant visa documents checklist
- How to apply for a Dependant visa?
- What is a Dependant visa processing time?
- Dependant visa fees
- Can a dependant work in the UK?
- Extending a Dependant visa
- Can a Dependant visa lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain?
- How can Sterling Law help?
- FAQ
What is a Dependant visa?
Dependant visa is a document that allows the partner and children of the main visa holder to legally reside in the United Kingdom with them. They are eligible to apply for the document with the main visa holder, if their visa allows for it. The list of main visas under which dependant visas may be applied for are as follows:
- Tier-2 Worker visas
- Tier-5 Temporary Worker permissions
- Student visa (only in limited cases)
- Innovator and Global Talent visas
- Ancestry routes
Who can apply for a Dependant visa?
The UK Home Office recognises several family members as dependants of the main visa holder.
Partner
A partner may qualify if they are:
- a spouse
- a civil partner
- an unmarried partner in a durable relationship (normally at least two years)
Applicants must demonstrate that the relationship is genuine and ongoing.
Typical supporting documents include:
- marriage or civil partnership certificates
- evidence of living together
- joint bank accounts
- shared financial responsibilities
- travel history together
Children
Children may qualify as dependants if they meet the following conditions:
| Child category | Requirement |
| Child under 18 | Must be financially dependent on the main visa holder |
| Child born in the UK | Can apply for dependant status if the parents hold eligible visas |
| Child over 18 | Usually must already hold dependant permission |
Children must normally live with their parents unless they are studying full-time at a boarding school or university.
They must also not be married or in a civil partnership.
Core requirements for a dependant partner
- Relationship requirement. Across routes, the Home Office expects clear evidence that the relationship is genuine and fits the relevant definition (spouse/civil partner/unmarried partner in a durable relationship). For example, for Skilled Worker dependants, acceptable ways to show the partner relationship, including marriage/civil partnership or living together in a relationship for at least 2 years, and also recognises situations where living together is not possible but the relationship is long-term and genuine.
- Intention to live together. Some routes explicitly expect the couple to live together in the UK, and evidence often focuses on shared residence and shared responsibilities (for example, evidence from banks, landlords, utility providers, and medical professionals).
- Identity and application linking. Dependant applications are usually made online and are linked to the main applicant.
Core requirements for a dependant child
- Under 18 at application (typical rule). For Student dependants, the child category is under 18, including children born in the UK during the Student’s stay. For many work routes, dependants are defined as children under 18 on the application date, with a limited “already a dependant” pathway for those over 18.
- Living arrangements and dependency. The Student route requires evidence that a child is not married/in a civil partnership and lives with the parent unless living away for full-time education.
- Children born in the UK. A child born in the UK does not automatically become a British citizen and usually needs their own dependant permission if the family plans to travel in and out of the UK.
Dependant visa vs family visa: the difference
If your relative is in the UK temporarily on a Work visa or Student visa, the Home Office route is usually a dependant application, not a “family visa”. The family visa guidance states that a family visa is not the route when the UK relative is in the UK temporarily on work/student permission, and you should apply as a dependant instead.
Family visas are mainly for joining a British/Irish citizen, someone settled, or someone with certain other statuses.
Dependant visa documents checklist
To apply for a dependent visa in the UK, it is necessary to prepare an assortment of documents. Normally, the UK dependent visa documents list includes:
- passports
- marriage certificates
- birth certificates of children
- bank statements
- proof of relationships (generally over a 2 year time period)
- additional documents for specific cases
Passports and other identity documents are required to prove both the identity and the history of traveling of the applicant. Marriage certificates are used as another proof of the relationships being genuine. It is worth mentioning that these certificates will only be approved if they were issued by organizations recognized in the United Kingdom or legally notarised.
Children’s birth certificates are needed to ensure their date of birth and their relationship to their parents. Bank statements are used as proof of meeting the financial requirement, which states that the person has to possess a specified sum of money in their bank accounts to support themselves throughout the period of stay in the country.
In order to prove a genuine, subsisting relationship between unmarried partners, applicants may submit evidence such as photographs taken together, utility bills issued jointly in the name of both partners, etc.
The additional documents may include tests for certain specified diseases, depending on the country of origin of the applicant or even questions regarding any criminal record or convictions. These documents may be required either based on the nationality of the applicant or the individual case of the original document holder.
How to apply for a Dependant visa?
The dependant visa application itself is rather straightforward. The rules typically match the ones of the respective main visa holder. In the majority of cases, the application can be done online: the person has to fill out the required form on the official website of the Home Office.
For some visas, the applications may be submitted either from within the United Kingdom and from outside of the country. For others, it is only possible to apply while being in the UK. The application process includes both submitting the necessary personal information and the documents mentioned in the previous section.
When the application is approved, the dependent will receive a letter and an invitation to collect biometric information at an approved centre in the country of their residence. It is worth knowing that the application may also be delayed or rejected, in case something turns out to be wrong with it. It may include incorrectly submitted documents, failing to submit some of the required documents, or, in the case of a rejection, it may be that the Home Office discovers the person is not eligible for the visa applied for. Where the main visa applicant’s application gets rejected, a dependant visa will not be approved either for lack of standing.
What is a Dependant visa processing time?
The processing time for a dependant visa in the UK typically matches the one of the main visa holder. For applications sent from outside the UK, the processing period rarely exceeds twelve weeks. It is also worth mentioning that the process includes visiting a department to let the Home Office collect the biometric data, so the duration of the process is partially up to the applicant. It is especially important to submit a correct application, as the process will be prolonged significantly, if something was submitted wrong. For an additional sum of money paid towards visa fees, processing time may be significantly reduced.
Dependant visa fees
There is no single fee for a “UK dependent visa” because the fee usually follows the main route. For example, current official fees show that Skilled Worker dependants generally pay the same route fee as the main applicant for the relevant period: £769 or £1,519 outside the UK, or £885 or £1,751 in-country, with lower fees where the job is on the immigration salary list. Health and Care Worker dependants currently pay £304 for up to 3 years or £590 for more than 3 years. Student dependants pay the Student route fee of £524. Global Talent dependants pay £766 each. Innovator Founder fees are currently £1,274 per person outside the UK and £1,590 in-country. UK Ancestry currently costs £682.
The immigration health surcharge also varies by category. The current surcharge guidance says that students, student dependants and under-18 applicants pay £776 per year. For most other adult visa applications, the annual rate is £1,035. The same guidance states that dependants aged 18 or over usually pay the same amount as the main applicant.
For many families, the total cost is therefore made up of three main parts:
- the visa fee
- the immigration health surcharge
- any extra costs for biometrics, translations, TB testing or priority processing where available
A route that looks cheaper at first glance can still become expensive once the surcharge is added for each family member.
Can a dependent work in the UK?
This is a popular question, and the answer is yes. There are a few exceptions: for example, it will be impossible for the dependent to work as a doctor. Another most common work restriction is working as a Sportsperson, as there is a separate visa with separate conditions for such work. In most other cases, dependants will be free to work in the United Kingdom. This also includes self-employment. The dependents are also free to study during their stay within the country.
Extending a Dependant visa
Dependants can usually extend their visa if the main visa holder extends their immigration permission. The extension application must normally be submitted before the current visa expires. Dependants must continue to meet relationship and financial requirements.
Can a Dependant visa lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain?
It is possible to get ILR with a dependent visa. To do so, it is required that the main holder becomes eligible for the document. Thus, the main holder will have to pass one of the routes that lead to ILR in order for their partner and children to apply for an Indefinite Leave to Remain with a dependent visa. One of the requirements is that they have to continuously reside in the United Kingdom for five years. Once the dependent gets granted an ILR, they stop being tied to the main visa holder and can continue living in the UK even without them.
How can we help?
As it becomes clear from the article, the process is rather tricky and requires an individual approach. The good news is that our professional team of lawyers is ready to provide the assistance required. The experts in Sterling Law have applied successfully for such visas several times and will be glad to help you with your individual case with the attention and expertise it deserves.
We are ready to guide you and your partner throughout the entire process, starting with determining which documents are required and ending with preparing everything for the application itself. Our office is based in London, but we also provide consultations online. Feel free to submit the form on this page, and we will reach out in no time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a UK Dependant visa?
A UK Dependant visa allows family members of a main visa holder to join them in the UK, with their permission linked to the main visa holder’s status. It applies under several visa routes, such as the Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, and Student visas.
Who can apply for a UK Dependant visa?
Family members eligible for a UK Dependant visa include the spouse or civil partner, unmarried partners in a long-term relationship, and children under 18 (and, in some cases, children over 18 who are financially dependent).
What evidence is required for a partner to apply as a dependant?
For a partner to apply as a dependant, evidence such as marriage/civil partnership certificates, proof of living together, and shared financial responsibilities is required. Unmarried partners must show at least two years of living together.
How long does it take to process a UK Dependant visa application?
Processing times vary, but generally, it takes around 3 weeks for applications made outside the UK and around 8 weeks for those inside the UK.
Can dependants work in the UK?
Yes, dependants of most visa holders can work in the UK, with a few exceptions, such as professional sports roles.
What if I want to extend my Dependant visa?
You can extend your Dependant visa if the main visa holder extends their permission. The extension will typically match the main visa holder’s visa duration.
Can dependants apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?
Yes, dependants can apply for ILR after a certain period of living in the UK, usually five years for Skilled Worker dependants, depending on the visa route.
