Bring Your Dependents to the UK

You may be eligible for a UK Dependent visa if you are a civil partner, spouse, an unmarried partner (who has been in a relationship for a minimum of two years), or child below 18 years of age of a UK visa holder. In some instances, children above 18 can also qualify for the dependent status under exceptional conditions.

Some of the new rules announced for the UK Dependent visas are as follows:

• Skilled workers in job roles at RQF level 6 will now be able to bring their dependents, while those in jobs below RQF Level 6 can no longer do so.
• Individuals with job roles that are considered medium-skilled can only have their spouse or children join them if they have had a Skilled worker visa before July 22, 2025, and if they are still on the visa.
• First-time applicants in the Care worker roles can no longer bring their dependents.

The documents required for a UK family visa are as follows:

• Passport
• A valid travel ID
• Proof of relationship (Birth certificate of shared children or marriage certificate)
• Proof of funds worth more than £16,000 and sufficient for a minimum of 28 days
• Proof of English language proficiency (SELT certificate at CEFR Level A1)
• A TB test certificate (if required, based on the country you are applying to)
• Proof of accommodation in the UK

The income required to sponsor a dependent in the UK varies based on the visa type. For a family visa, you must have a minimum annual salary of £29,000, while student visa applicants who are sponsoring their dependents must have funds worth £680 per month.

Yes, you can apply for a UK Dependent visa from India as the dependent of an individual with a valid UK visa, such as the UK Skilled worker visa, ancestry visa, student visa, etc. However, in order to apply for the UK Dependent visa, you must also fulfill the specific visa requirements of the main UK visa holder’s category.

It may take around 3-12 weeks to process a UK Dependent visa. The processing time varies depending on where you are applying from, the visa type, the total volume of visa applications at the consulate, etc. If you are applying for a UK Dependent visa from within the UK, it may take around 1- 3 weeks, while those applying from outside the UK may take around 8-12 weeks.

A UK Dependent visa for spouses and children has two main costs, including the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). While the visa application fee differs based on the visa category, adults must pay £1,035 per annum, and children must pay £776 per annum for the IHS.

Yes, you may have to take a TB test while applying for a UK Dependent visa from India, if:

• You have been residing in the UK for the last 6 months or more within the most recent 6 months (or)
• You are applying to stay in the UK for 6 months or more (Or)
• You are a civil partner or a fiancé(e) of a UK visa holder.

Yes, parents can apply for a Dependent visa in the UK, provided they meet specific visa and eligibility requirements, depending on the immigration status of the child in the UK and the needs of the parents.  Alternatively, parents may also apply for an Adult Dependant Relative visa if their UK-based child requires long-term care and assistance on a daily basis. Parents can also apply as a parent of a Child student if the child is enrolled at an independent school in the UK.

Yes, dependents (spouses, children, and partners) can work on a family visa in the UK. There are no work restrictions, and they can take up any job or employment. However, there are certain exceptions, such as they cannot work as a professional sports instructor, sportsperson, or doctor undergoing training.

Yes, dependents can study in the UK on a family visa without any limitations on the type of study program or course that they would like to enroll in. However, this may differ based on the student visa category.

You can provide a valid marriage certificate or proof of financial and emotional commitment towards each other as proof of a genuine relationship for a UK spouse visa. You must also submit certain documents, such as:

• Joint bank statements
• Utility bills from the same address
• Tenancy or rental agreement
• Travel documents (travel itinerary, receipts from trips, hotel bookings)
• Text messages, call logs, emails, chat logs (for long-distance couples)
• Videos or photographs (wedding, holidays, or other events)
• Birth certificates of your shared children  

Some of the most common reasons for a UK Dependent visa refusal are as follows:

• Incomplete applications
• Incorrect or inaccurate documentation
• Lack of sufficient proof and evidence to support your application
• Lack of sufficient funds
• Not being able to fulfil the English language requirements

Yes, you can extend or switch to a UK Family visa from inside the UK only if you apply for the extension before your current visa expires and meet the criteria for the Family visa. You can either extend your current family visa to continue living with the same family member in the UK or switch to a family visa from a different UK visa type (student visa or work visa).

Dependents can apply for an ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) after living in the UK for five consecutive years under any qualifying visa pathway. You must also fulfil specific eligibility criteria, including language and financial requirements.

Here are the current requirements for a UK dependent visa:

• A valid passport
• Proof of relationship
• Financial document
• Medical and criminal clearance certificate
• English language proficiency
• Proof of accommodation

Here is the step-by-step process to apply for a UK dependent visa for your spouse:

Step 1: Check eligibility based on your visa type and relationship

Step 2: Gather all required documents

Step 3: Complete the UK visa application form online

Step 4: Pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge

Step 5: Book and attend a biometric appointment

Step 6: Submit supporting documents at the visa centre

Step 7: Wait for the decision

Step 8: If approved, receive the visa

The documents you require for a UK dependent visa application are listed below:

• Passport of the spouse and sponsor
• Passport-sized photographs
• Marriage certificate
• Copy of your UK visa/BRP
• Proof of your legal stay in the UK
• Bank statements, payslips, employment letters, proof of savings
• Proof of accommodation
• English language test certificate
• Medical clearance certificate
• Cover letter explaining the relationship

Yes, your children can work in the UK on a dependent visa, but specific conditions apply depending on their age and the primary visa holder's status.

• Children under 18 who are granted dependent visas can typically work in the UK without restrictions. The only condition is that they are not married or leading an independent life.
• Children over 18 cannot work on a dependent visa; they can only extend their visa under the dependent category.

The financial requirements for a UK dependent visa vary depending on the type of visa your sponsor holds and whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK.

Here is the breakdown of the financial requirement for different visa type:

For applications made outside the UK, a UK dependent visa takes about 12 weeks, but this can vary based on factors like the specific visa type, the application's accuracy, and the use of faster processing services. You can pay an extra fee for a priority service, which can provide a decision within five working days for some visas, or a super priority service to get the decision within 24 hours.

The steps to extend a UK dependent visa are listed below:

Step 1: Check your eligibility for extending your visa

Step 2: Go to the official GOV.UK website for UK visa applications

Step 3: Fill out the visa extension application form

Step 4: Pay the application fee and health surcharge

Step 5: Book and attend a biometric appointment

Step 6: Submit all the necessary supporting documents

Step 7: Wait for the processing

Step 8: If approved, you will receive a new BRP

Yes, it is possible to switch from a UK dependent visa to a different visa category from within the UK, if you meet the eligibility criteria for the new visa, such as:

• You must be legally in the UK on a visa that permits switching
• You must apply to switch before your current dependent visa expires.
• For routes like a skilled worker visa, you will need an employer's Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

You must maintain continuous residence to travel outside the UK with a dependent visa. Avoid long trips that might make it look like you no longer plan to live in the UK. Usually, staying outside the UK should not exceed six months a year, but this can change based on your situation. As your dependent visa needs to be valid for your whole trip, keep your BRP and be aware that being away for a long time could affect future applications for ILR.

If the main visa holder's UK visa expires, your dependent visa also becomes invalid, which means you must apply to extend or switch your visa before your current visa expires, at the same time as your principal applicant's extension or switch application. You cannot remain in the UK as a dependent once the sponsor's visa is no longer valid, and you must leave the UK by the expiry date of your dependent visa.

The new UK Dependent visa rules are as follows:

• Only international students enrolled in postgraduate research programs and PhD are allowed to bring their dependents.
• Individuals who have applied for a Health and Care Worker visa after March 11, 2024, can no longer bring their dependent spouse or children to the UK.
• UK Spouse visa applications submitted after April 11, 2024, must meet the minimum income requirement of £29,000 per year.
• Social care workers cannot bring their dependents to the UK.

A UK dependent visa allows eligible family members such as spouses, civil partners, and unmarried children to migrate to the UK. You can qualify for a Dependent visa in the UK as a:

• Spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner
• Children below 18 years of age
• Children above 18 years of age (If they are currently in the UK as a dependent)

To qualify for a UK Tier 2 dependent visa, you must be the spouse, child, or civil partner of a UK Skilled Worker Visa holder.

The UK Tier 2 dependent visa requirements are as follows:

• Be above 18 years of age.
• Submit proof of a genuine relationship with the visa holder (marriage certificate for spouses and birth certificate for children)
• Have sufficient funds to support the dependent in the UK.
• The UK Skilled workers visa holder sponsoring the dependent must earn a minimum salary of £26,200 per annum.
• Have a valid and original passport.
• Meet the medical requirements as per the UK standards.
• Clear criminal record
• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

The UK Skilled Worker dependent visa is for the dependents of the UK Skilled Worker visa holder. With a UK Skilled worker dependent visa, the dependents of the UK Skilled Worker Visa holder (spouse or children) can come and stay in the UK for the duration of the main applicant’s visa validity.

Yes, they can work in the UK on a Dependent Visa in the Tier 2 stream. The conditions of employment will specify that you can be employed until the time your Dependent Visa is valid. You will be dependent on the Partner/spouse for your dependent status. So once the term of the Primary Visa holder expires, your employment will also end.

If an individual is applying for Dependent Visa from the UK they must not have Visitor Visa of any category. If they have, they must exit and apply from outside the UK. Individuals with any other type of Visa in the UK are qualified to transition to the UK Dependent Visa.

It takes around 15 working days to process the UK Dependent Visa if the application is made from outside the UK. It depends on the immigration history of the applicant. If the application is made from within the UK, then it takes around 8 weeks for the postal.

The UK Elderly Dependent Visa is for people who are residing and settled in the UK to bring their parent or grandparent (elderly dependent relative) to join them in the UK. This is in certain circumstances. Usually ILR – Indefinite Leave to Remain will result from a successful application. Entry clearance is normally needed for this category of UK Visa.

The documents required by applicants of UK Dependent Visa are:

• A Passport that has minimum 6 months validity after the planned stay and with minimum 1 empty page for affixing Visa
• The UK Dependent Visa application form:

1. You must check with the UK Embassy in your home nation if the online application is possible. If available, you must carry the confirmation form to the Visa interview.
2. If the online application is not possible, then you must print 2 copies of the form, sign both at the bottom and carry along with you

• 1 colour photograph with dimension 45mm height x 35 mm width printed to a professional standard and taken within last 30 days
• Original marriage certificate or birth certificate that shows the relationship of the dependent to the principal UK Visa holder
• Expired passports to demonstrate your past travel history
• Official translations of all the documents that are not in the English language
• Tuberculosis test results if you are from a nation whose citizens are required to take one

A UK Tier 2 Visa holder can apply for their unmarried partner/civil partner/spouse and dependent kids to join them in the UK. The dependents’ period of leave will be the same as that of the principal Tier 2 applicant. They will also be in a position to work in the UK without any curbs.

For the UK, if the spouse visa applicant is not from a majority English-speaking country and does not have a legitimate degree, they may be required to take an approved English language examination to demonstrate that they meet the English language criteria.

The English language test must be approved by the Home Office and administered by a Secure English Language Testing (‘SELT’) provider. Only Trinity College London (UK only) or the IELTS SELT Consortium offer SELT tests (UK and overseas).