Skilled Worker (Tier 2) Dependant Visa

Key takeaways

The Skilled Worker Dependant visa lets a partner and children join a person who holds a UK Skilled Worker visa.
Eligible dependants are a husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner of two years or more, and children under 18 (including children born in the UK).
As of June 2026, the application fee ranges from £628 to £1,865 per person, plus the healthcare surcharge of £1,035 a year for an adult and £776 a year for a child.
Families must show maintenance funds of £285 for a partner, £315 for a first child and £200 for each further child, held for 28 consecutive days, unless the employer certifies these costs.
Most care workers and many medium-skilled workers can no longer bring new dependants, following rule changes in March 2024 and July 2025.
Dependants can work and study, and may apply for indefinite leave to remain after five years, though the Government has proposed extending this qualifying period.

For most people who move to the United Kingdom for work, keeping the family together is the first priority. The Skilled Worker Dependant visa is the route that makes this possible, allowing close family members to live in the UK for the same period as the main visa holder.

What is a Skilled Worker Dependant visa?
Who can apply as a Skilled Worker dependant?
Can care workers and medium-skilled workers bring dependants?
What are the requirements for a Skilled Worker Dependant visa?
How much money do you need to show?
Do dependants need to meet an English language requirement?
How to apply for a Skilled Worker Dependant visa
Can dependants switch to a Skilled Worker dependant visa inside the UK?
What documents do you need?
How much does a Skilled Worker Dependant visa cost?
How long does it take to process?
What can dependants do, and what are the restrictions?
Does a Skilled Worker Dependant visa lead to ILR?
Common reasons for Skilled Worker dependant visa refusals
Why choose Sterling Law?
FAQ

What is a Skilled Worker Dependant visa?

A Skilled Worker Dependant visa is permission for the partner or child of a Skilled Worker visa holder to live in the UK with them. The dependant’s visa normally runs until the same date as the main applicant’s visa.

The term “dependant” simply means a family member whose right to be in the UK is linked to the main visa holder. The route was once known as the Tier 2 dependant visa, and many people still use that name, but the official title is now the Skilled Worker Dependant visa.

Each family member must complete their own application and pay their own fees. They can apply at the same time as the main applicant or join them later.

Who can apply as a Skilled Worker dependant?

A partner and children under 18 can usually apply. Adult children can apply only if they already hold permission in the UK as a dependant.

Partners

A partner means a husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner. The relationship must be genuine, and the applicant must prove one of the following:

they are in a marriage or civil partnership that is recognised in the UK;
they have lived together in a relationship for at least two years when they apply; or
they have been in a relationship for at least two years but cannot live together — for example because of work, study or cultural reasons — and can show an ongoing commitment to each other.

Couples who are married or in a civil partnership provide their certificate together with evidence that the relationship is real. Unmarried couples need to evidence both that the relationship is genuine and that it has lasted at least two years. A dedicated spouse and partner visa may be more suitable for some families.

Children

Children under 18 can apply, including a child born in the UK during the parent’s stay. Being born in the UK does not grant automatic residence, so a separate application is still needed. To qualify, a child must:

live with the parent, unless they are away in full-time education such as boarding school or university;
not be married or in a civil partnership; and
where over 16, not be living an independent life and must remain financially supported by the main visa holder.

A child aged 18 or over can apply only if they are already in the UK with permission as a dependant.

Can care workers and medium-skilled workers bring dependants?

Many cannot. Following rule changes in 2024 and 2025, new care workers and many workers in medium-skilled roles are no longer able to bring partners and children to the UK.

The Home Office now treats different groups of Skilled Workers differently, depending on the role and when the person started it. The table below summarises the current position.

Whether dependants can normally join, by the main worker’s role (2026)

Main worker’s role	Can dependants normally join?
Standard Skilled Worker in a graduate-level role	Yes, subject to the usual requirements.
Care worker or senior care worker	Only if they have been employed in that role on a Skilled Worker visa continuously since before 11 March 2024. Limited exceptions apply for a child born in the UK or where there is a sole responsible parent.
Medium-skilled role below graduate level (not care)	Only if they have been employed in that role on a Skilled Worker visa continuously since before 22 July 2025. The same limited child exceptions apply.

If you are unsure which category your job falls into, this is worth checking before anyone applies, because an application made by an ineligible family member will be refused and the fee is not refunded.

What are the requirements for a Skilled Worker Dependant visa?

The core requirements are a qualifying relationship to the main visa holder, an intention to live together, enough money to support the family, and a clean immigration and character record.

In practice, an applicant must:

be the partner or child of someone who holds, or is applying for, a Skilled Worker visa that allows dependants;
intend to live with the main visa holder;
show that there are enough funds to support the family without relying on public funds;
for a child, show that suitable care and accommodation are available;
meet good character and immigration history requirements; and
provide the required documents and pay the relevant fees.

How much money do you need to show?

Each dependant must show £285 for a partner, £315 for a first child and £200 for every further child, on top of the £1,270 the main applicant must hold.

These are maintenance funds — money that proves the family can support itself on arrival. The amounts are cumulative, so a partner and two children would need £285 plus £315 plus £200, which is £800.

Maintenance funds for dependants

Dependant	Amount to show
Partner	£285
First child	£315
Each additional child	£200

The money must sit in a bank account for 28 days in a row, and the 28th day must fall within 31 days of the application. If the balance drops below the required figure on any single day in that window, the requirement is not met.

There are two ways to avoid showing this evidence: if the whole family has already been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months, or if the employer certifies on the Certificate of Sponsorship that it will cover the family’s costs during the first month.

Do dependants need to meet an English language requirement?

No. A partner or child applying for a Skilled Worker dependant visa does not usually need to prove English language ability at the dependant visa application stage.

Dependants should still plan ahead if they intend to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the future. Settlement rules are separate from the initial dependant visa rules and may require adult applicants to meet knowledge of language and life in the UK requirements unless an exemption applies.

How to apply for a Skilled Worker Dependant visa

A Skilled Worker dependant visa application is made online. The process differs slightly depending on whether the dependant is applying from outside the UK or from inside the UK.

A typical process includes:

Check that the main Skilled Worker route allows dependants.
Confirm whether any care worker, senior care worker or medium-skilled role restrictions apply.
Check the family relationship and evidence.
Calculate the maintenance funds and confirm whether an exemption applies.
Prepare the application form for each dependant.
Link the dependant application to the main applicant using the application number or family linking code.
Pay the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge where required.
Prove identity using the UK Immigration ID Check app or attend a biometric appointment.
Upload or submit supporting documents.
Wait for the Home Office decision.

If the dependant applies from outside the UK, they must apply and receive permission before travelling to the UK. If they are already in the UK, they must check whether switching is permitted from their current immigration category.

Can dependants switch to a Skilled Worker dependant visa inside the UK?

Some dependants can switch to a Skilled Worker dependant visa from inside the UK, but not from every route. The application must normally be made before the current visa expires.

A person cannot usually switch to Skilled Worker dependant status from inside the UK if they are currently:

on a visit visa;
on a short-term student visa;
on a Parent of a Child Student visa;
on a Seasonal Worker visa;
on a domestic worker in a private household visa;
on immigration bail;
in the UK with permission outside the Immigration Rules, for example on compassionate grounds.

If the dependant is on a Student visa, switching may be possible only if they have completed the course they were sponsored to study or have studied for a PhD for at least 24 months.

What documents do you need?

The application needs proof of identity, proof of the relationship, financial evidence and, for children, evidence about their circumstances.

A typical document checklist includes:

a current passport or other valid travel document;
evidence of the relationship, such as a marriage or civil partnership certificate, or proof of living together for unmarried partners;
for children, a full birth certificate showing both parents, and evidence of where the child lives;
bank statements or other financial evidence, unless the family is exempt;
evidence of English where it is required; and
a tuberculosis test certificate, if applying from a country where this is required.

How much does a Skilled Worker Dependant visa cost?

The application fee is between £628 and £1,865 per person, and each dependant also pays the healthcare surcharge upfront.

A dependant pays the same fee, for the same length of stay, as the main visa holder — even if they apply later. The fee depends on whether the application is made inside or outside the UK, and on whether the visa covers up to three years or more than three years.

Skilled Worker application fees per person

Application	Up to 3 years	More than 3 years
From outside the UK	£819	£1,618
From inside the UK (extend or switch)	£943	£1,865
Job on the immigration salary list (inside or outside)	£628	£1,235

On top of the fee, the immigration health surcharge gives access to the NHS and must be paid in full when the application is submitted. It is £1,035 a year for an adult and £776 a year for a child under 18, calculated across the whole period of the visa.

As an illustration, a five-year visa for one adult dependant would carry a healthcare surcharge of £5,175 in addition to the application fee. Families should budget for the full cost of every applicant, not just the main worker.

How long does it take to process?

Applications made from outside the UK are usually decided within three weeks, and applications made inside the UK within eight weeks.

These are standard timescales. A faster decision may be available for an extra charge through a priority or super-priority service, if available.

What can dependants do, and what are the restrictions?

Dependants can work and study freely, but they cannot claim most public funds.

Once their visa is granted, a dependant can:

work in almost any job, including self-employment, without separate sponsorship;
study, with children able to attend state schools;
travel abroad and return to the UK; and
apply for settlement once they meet the residence rules.

The main restrictions are that dependants cannot work as a professional sportsperson or coach, and cannot claim most benefits or the State Pension. Relying on public funds can also affect future applications.

Does a Skilled Worker Dependant visa lead to ILR?

Yes. Under the current rules, a dependant can apply for indefinite leave to remain after five years of continuous residence, provided they meet the other requirements.

ILR is permanent settlement — the right to live in the UK without time limits. It is usually a step towards British citizenship.

A dependant partner or child can apply with the main Skilled Worker when they are eligible, or separately at a later date if they are not ready at the same time. Dependants can also continue to extend their permission as Skilled Worker dependants even after the main worker has obtained ILR, if they meet the rules.

Common reasons for Skilled Worker dependant visa refusals

A refusal often happens because the application is treated as a simple family add-on, when it is still a full immigration application with its own requirements.

Common reasons include:

the main worker’s route does not allow dependants in the circumstances;
care worker, senior care worker or medium-skilled role restrictions were missed;
the relationship evidence is weak or inconsistent;
unmarried partners do not provide enough evidence of a genuine relationship;
financial evidence does not meet the 28-day rule;
the sponsor has not certified maintenance correctly;
the child appears to be living independently;
the child is over 18 and has not already held dependant permission;
documents are missing, untranslated or inconsistent;
the dependant applies from inside the UK when switching is not permitted.

A refusal can affect travel plans, family life and future immigration applications. It is usually better to check eligibility and evidence before submission than to try to correct a weak application after refusal.

Why choose Sterling Law?

Sterling Law assists families with Skilled Worker dependant visa applications, extensions, switching applications and settlement planning.

Our work can include:

checking whether the main Skilled Worker route allows dependants;
reviewing care worker, senior care worker and medium-skilled role restrictions;
preparing a partner or child dependant visa document checklist;
reviewing marriage, civil partnership and unmarried partner evidence;
advising on children born in the UK and children who have turned 18;
checking financial evidence and sponsor-certified maintenance;
preparing the online application and supporting representations;
assisting with dependant extensions and ILR planning;
advising where there has been a previous refusal or complex immigration history.

If you need advice on a Skilled Worker dependant visa, a child born in the UK or a family settlement plan, contact Sterling Law before submitting the application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my spouse apply as my Skilled Worker dependant?

Yes. A spouse can apply if the marriage is recognised in the UK and the relationship is genuine and continuing.

Can an unmarried partner apply as a Skilled Worker dependant?

Yes. An unmarried partner can apply if they can prove a genuine relationship of at least 2 years. Living together is strong evidence, but the rules also allow cases where the couple could not live together for a genuine reason.

Can my child apply as a Skilled Worker dependant?

A child under 18 can usually apply if they meet the relationship and dependency rules. A child over 18 can normally apply only if they already has permission as your dependant.

Does a child born in the UK need a dependant visa?

A child born in the UK does not automatically become British. You should apply for the child’s dependant visa if the child needs to travel in and out of the UK or remain in the UK as your dependant.

How much money is needed for Skilled Worker dependants?

The usual maintenance requirement is £285 for a partner, £315 for one child and £200 for each additional child. These funds must normally be held for 28 consecutive days unless an exemption applies.

Can Skilled Worker dependants work in the UK?

Yes. Skilled Worker dependants can usually work in the UK, except as a professional sportsperson or coach. They can also usually study.

Can care workers bring dependants to the UK?

The rules for care workers and senior care workers are now restricted. Dependants may still qualify in some transitional or child-related cases, but eligibility should be checked carefully before applying.