For many families, moving to the UK is only possible if partners and children can come too. That’s where the UK Dependent Visa comes in. It allows certain family members of a person who already has a valid UK visa to join them or continue living with them in the UK.
If you’re moving to the UK for work, study, innovation or another long-term route, understanding whether your family can accompany you is essential. The rules can vary depending on the type of visa you hold and recent changes have made the requirements more detailed than ever.
This article explains what a UK Dependent Visa is, who qualifies and what you need to know before submitting an application.
What is a UK Dependent Visa?
A UK Dependent Visa is a visa category that enables the family members of someone already in the UK to live with them during their stay. That person is often referred to as the “main applicant” or “sponsor”.
Dependants can apply from inside or outside the UK, depending on their circumstances. The visa is most commonly used by partners and children of people who hold:
- Work visas (such as the Skilled Worker Visa or Health and Care Worker Visa)
- Certain UK Student visas
- Innovator Founder visas
- Global Talent visas
- Other long-term immigration routes where dependants are permitted
The specific requirements depend on the main visa category. Some routes are generous and allow a wide range of dependants, while others have stricter rules or do not allow dependants at all.
Related: Can a UK Visa Dependant Work? Your Rights Explained
Who qualifies as a dependant?
UK immigration rules define dependants clearly and only certain family members qualify. The three main categories are:
- Spouses or civil partners: If you’re legally married or in a civil partnership with the main visa holder, you can apply as their dependant. You must show the relationship is genuine and subsisting.
- Unmarried partners: Long-term partners can also qualify, but only if they can prove they have lived together in a relationship similar to marriage for at least two years. Evidence such as joint tenancy agreements, shared bills or official documents showing the same address is important.
- Children under 18: Children can apply as dependants if they are under 18, are not married or living independently and will live with their parents in the UK. In certain cases, a child over 18 who is already in the UK as a dependant may extend their stay.
Other family members, such as elderly parents, don’t fall under the standard dependant route. They may need to apply under separate categories such as the Adult Dependent Relative visa, which has far stricter criteria.
Which UK visas allow dependants?
Whether a dependant can apply depends heavily on the sponsor’s main visa. Some of the most common routes that allow dependants include:
- Skilled Worker Visa: This is one of the most frequent scenarios. Skilled Worker visa holders can bring partners and children, provided they meet the financial and relationship requirements.
- Health and Care Worker Visa: Dependants are also permitted and the rules are generally similar to the Skilled Worker route.
- Certain Student Visas: Postgraduate students, especially those studying at PhD level or on research-intensive programmes, may bring dependants. However, recent UK immigration changes have restricted dependant eligibility for many other students.
- Innovator Founder and Global Talent Visas: These routes typically allow dependants and are popular among entrepreneurs, researchers and highly skilled professionals.
Each route has its own financial, relationship and suitability rules. It is essential to check the specific requirements that apply to your visa type, as the Home Office updates these rules regularly.
What are the main requirements for a dependant visa?
Although the exact rules vary depending on the sponsor’s visa category, all dependant applications must satisfy three core requirements. They are relationship, financial stability and suitability.
Relationship requirement
You must prove the relationship is genuine. For partners, this involves submitting marriage certificates, civil partnership documents or evidence of long-term cohabitation. For children, you must show parental responsibility and confirm that the child will live with their parent in the UK.
Financial requirement
The main visa holder must be able to support their dependants without relying on public funds. Depending on the visa route, this may involve showing savings, income or employer sponsorship that covers both the main applicant and their family members.
Some visas have specific maintenance amounts set by the Home Office. Others place the burden of proof on the applicant to show they can support themselves. Financial evidence must be clear and comprehensive, as incomplete documentation is a common cause of refusal.
Accommodation requirement
The accommodation where the family will live must be adequate and not overcrowded. This means providing proof of tenancy, ownership or written confirmation from a host. Where necessary, applicants may need to show the property meets particular suitability standards.
Other suitability rules
Dependants must also meet general immigration requirements, such as passing security checks, providing accurate information and ensuring they do not fall foul of previous immigration breaches.
Recent changes to dependant visa rules
In recent years, the UK has tightened its immigration system and dependant rules have been part of that reform. The most notable changes affect students and certain work routes.
For example, many international students who previously could bring dependants are now restricted unless they are studying postgraduate research degrees. Some work categories have higher salary thresholds or additional eligibility checks for dependants.
Because these rules can change quickly, families planning a move to the UK should always check the latest guidance or seek legal advice before applying.
How long can dependants stay in the UK?
Dependants are usually granted permission to stay for the same length of time as the main visa holder. If the sponsor extends their visa, dependants can normally extend theirs too. When the sponsor becomes eligible for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain), dependants may also qualify, provided they meet the relevant residence and suitability requirements.
Another option is to switch from a dependant visa to a skilled worker visa if you meet the relevant requirements. This will make someone an independent visa holder with their own rights, rather than simply a dependant.
How to apply for a UK Dependant Visa
Applications can be made online from inside or outside the UK. You will need to submit:
- Identity documents
- Proof of relationship
- Financial evidence
- Accommodation details
- Any additional documents required for the sponsor’s visa route
Most applicants will also need to attend a biometric appointment. Once approved, dependants can live, study and (in most cases) work in the UK for the duration of their visa.
When should you seek legal advice?
Although dependant visas may appear straightforward, refusals often happen due to missing documents, unclear financial evidence or misunderstandings about who qualifies. You should seek specialist advice if:
- You are unsure whether a partner or child meets the definition of a dependant
- You cannot meet the standard financial requirement
- The sponsor’s visa has recently changed or is due to expire
- Your family situation is complex (e.g., blended families, shared custody, adoption)
- You have previously been refused a UK visa
An immigration solicitor can help prepare the application, advise on the correct evidence and significantly reduce the risk of refusal.
Talk to our immigration team
Please note that this article is solely for informational purposes. It’s not a substitute for legal advice. We encourage readers to contact Osbourne Pinner for case-specific guidance.
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