Dependent Visa

Home and Heart, Unifying the Family: The UK Dependant Visa Route for Loved Ones

The UK dependant visa route allows eligible family members of individuals who are in the UK on a qualifying work, study or other immigration route to join them and live in the UK. The requirements and restrictions vary depending on the type of visa held by the main applicant. Here is an overview of the UK Dependant Visa route.

Eligibility: Who Can Apply?

Dependants:

• Spouses or Civil Partners: Legally married to or in a civil partnership with the main visa holder, where the relationship is recognised under the relevant immigration rules.
• Unmarried Partners: Generally, the applicant must have been in a relationship with the main visa holder for at least 2 years. Depending on the route, the couple may not necessarily have to have lived together throughout the two-year period if there are valid reasons why they cannot live together. Evidence of an ongoing relationship may be required.
• Children: Generally, children under 18 can qualify as dependants. A child aged 18 or over may also qualify where they already have permission to stay in the UK as the main applicant’s dependant, subject to the relevant route requirements.
• Other Family Members: Parents and other adult relatives cannot generally apply as dependants under work or Student dependant routes. Different rules may apply under specific immigration categories, so eligibility must be checked according to the main visa holder’s route.

Main Visa Holder:

The main visa holder must be in the UK, or applying to come to the UK, under a route that permits dependants. Examples can include the Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Student, Global Business Mobility and certain Temporary Work routes.

However, not every visa route permits dependants, and some routes have additional restrictions. For example, restrictions apply to dependants of certain Skilled Workers in care and senior care occupations, and Student dependants are only permitted in specific circumstances.

Requirements: What is Needed?

Relationship Evidence:

Proof of the relationship, such as marriage or civil partnership certificates, birth certificates for children, and evidence of the relationship for unmarried partners.

Financial Requirements:

The financial requirement depends on the main visa holder’s immigration route. For many sponsored work routes, dependants may need to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to support themselves unless an exemption applies or the sponsor certifies the required support. For example, the standard maintenance amounts for many sponsored work routes are:

• £285 for a partner
• £315 for the first dependent child
• £200 for each additional dependent child

The required funds generally need to have been held for 28 consecutive days, unless an applicable exemption applies.

Accommodation:

Adequate accommodation should be available for the family, where required under the relevant immigration route.

Genuine and Subsisting Relationship:

Evidence may need to be provided to demonstrate that the relationship between the dependant and the main visa holder is genuine and continuing.

Application Process

Online Application:

Applications for dependant visas are generally made online. The application process varies depending on the main visa holder’s immigration route and whether the application is being made from inside or outside the UK.

Supporting Documents:

Documents proving the relationship, financial circumstances, identity and other relevant requirements must be submitted. The exact documents required depend on the immigration route and the applicant’s circumstances.

Biometrics:

Applicants need to prove their identity and provide biometric information, including fingerprints and a photograph, where required.

Decision Time:

Processing times vary depending on the type of dependant application and whether it is made inside or outside the UK. Applicants should check the current GOV.UK processing guidance for the relevant route.

After Arrival in the UK

Visa Duration:

A dependant’s permission will generally end on the same date as the main visa holder’s permission. For example, under the Skilled Worker route, a dependant partner’s permission normally ends on the same date as the Skilled Worker’s permission.

Rights and Benefits:

Dependants can generally work and study in the UK, subject to the conditions of their particular route. For example, dependants of Skilled Workers are permitted to work, including self-employment and voluntary work, but cannot work as professional sportspersons or sports coaches.

Dependants generally cannot access most public funds.

Extensions and Settlement:

Dependants may be able to extend their stay in line with the main visa holder, provided they continue to meet the relevant requirements.

Some dependant routes can lead to settlement. For example, a dependant partner or child of a Skilled Worker may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years, provided they meet the applicable settlement requirements. However, settlement rules vary between immigration routes, so the relevant route must be checked before making an application.

After obtaining ILR, a person may eventually be eligible to apply for British citizenship, subject to meeting the relevant nationality, residence and other requirements.

Path to Togetherness

The UK Dependant Visa route allows eligible family members to live together in the UK while the main visa holder works, studies or otherwise remains in the UK under a qualifying immigration route. However, dependant eligibility is route-specific, and recent changes to UK immigration rules mean that not all visa holders can bring their partners or children.

Applicants should therefore check the specific dependant requirements that apply to the main visa holder’s immigration category before making an application.

Written on: 24 August 2026