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Is Spouse Visa and Dependant Visa Same?
These two visas are different. Spouse Visas, as its name suggests, are specific—only for spouses or civil partners. Dependant Visas are broader; it includes any eligible family members, not just the spouse, and comes in various types. Both, however, are under the UK Family Visa routes.
The major difference between spouse visa and dependent visa lies on the visa status of the main applicant:
- If your spouse is a British citizen or with a settled status in the UK, you apply for Spouse Visa.
- If your spouse in the UK holds any of the temporary visa categories (e.g., Skilled Worker Visa, Student Visa), you apply for Dependant Visa.
- Apparently, any other family members use the Dependant Visa.
Another thing to clear up: is spouse a dependant? Dependant is a broad category, and that includes the spouse. In their case, they have two options, as above. It greatly depends on their partners’ visa status.
Let’s explore more about these routes.
What is a Spouse Visa?
Spouse Visa is a specific category under the UK Family Visas. This is your option if you married or are a civil partner with someone of British citizenship or settled status in the UK (without immigration limitations on residency).
If you are not yet married, you can apply for a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner visa, which gives you a 6-month validity to marry. Afterwards, you will need to apply for the Spouse Visa.
The Spouse Visa is typically granted for 2.5 years (if applying from inside the UK as leave to remain) or 33 months (if applying from outside the UK for entry clearance). It can be extended to 2.5 more years, which makes a total of 5 years residency as a spouse.
After 5 years in the UK on this visa, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) to become a permanent resident.
Spouse Visa holders have the right to work in the UK without restrictions and can also pursue further education. You also have access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).
Check out UK Spouse Visa Guide in 2025.
Requirements of Spouse Visa
Age
Both applicant and spouse must be 18 or over.
Legal Relationship
You need to be legally married or in a civil partnership recognised in the UK.
Genuine Relationship
You need to prove your marriage is legal, genuine, and ongoing, usually through marriage certificate and other evidence of a committed relationship. Unmarried partners need to show cohabitation for at least 2 years.
Intention to Live Together
Both partners must intend to live permanently in the UK, evidenced by joint commitments.
Financial Requirement
Your combined annual income must be at least £29,000, OR you have sufficient savings. Lower thresholds applied if the UK partner receives specific disability benefits or if the initial partner visa application was before April 11, 2024.
Adequate Accommodation
You need to prove suitable housing for you, your spouse, and any dependants, meeting UK living standards and not overcrowded.
English Language Proficiency
Applicant must meet a specific English language standard through an approved test or a degree taught in English equivalent to a UK bachelor’s or higher. Exemptions apply in limited circumstances (e.g., age 65 or over, certain disabilities, exceptional circumstances, or nationality from a majority English-speaking country).
UK-Based Sponsor Status
Your UK-based partner must be a British citizen, hold Indefinite Leave to Remain, or have settled or pre-settled status, or hold a Turkish Businessperson/Worker visa or refugee status/humanitarian protection.
Continuous Residence (for ILR)
After 5 years on the Spouse Visa, you can apply for ILR, requiring continuous residence in the UK.
What is a Dependant Visa?
The Dependant Visa is the broader route, which allows not only spouses but also other eligible family members to join the main visa holder (work visas, student visas, ILR).
Eligible dependants typically include:
- Spouse or civil partner (Dependent Visa for wife or husband)
- Unmarried partner (if in a relationship akin to marriage for at least 2 years)
- Dependent children under 18 (Child Dependant Visa)
- In certain cases, dependent children over 18
- In specific, limited cases, parents (Adult Dependant Relative Visa)
Each dependant will need to apply separately.
The validity of this visa is linked to the primary visa holder’s permit. Dependants can usually apply for extensions alongside the main applicant.
Generally, dependants can live, work (with some restrictions), and study in the UK, but usually cannot access public funds.
Relevant read: PBS Dependant Visa.
Requirements of Dependant Visa
- The main visa holder must hold a valid visa in a category that allows dependants (e.g., Skilled Worker, some Student visas, Innovator Founder, Global Talent).
- Dependants must intend to live with the main visa holder in the UK.
- Financial requirements must be met to show dependants can be supported without public funds.
- Proof of the relationship (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate, cohabitation evidence) is essential.
- Dependants generally do not need to meet an English language requirement (unlike Spouse visas).
Read the latest UK Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules.
Difference Between Spouse Visa and Dependant Visa
Here’s a quick look at their differences:
|
Feature
|
Spouse Visa
|
Dependant Visa
|
|---|---|---|
|
Purpose
|
For spouses/partners of British citizens or those with settled status in the UK.
|
For family members of individuals with UK visas for work, study, etc.
|
|
Main Applicant Status
|
British citizen or settled person.
|
British citizen or settled person.
|
|
Relationship
|
Husband, wife, civil partner, fiancé(e), proposed civil partner, unmarried partner (2+ years cohabitation).
|
Spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner (2+ years cohabitation), children under 18 (sometimes over 18), in limited cases parents.
|
|
English Language Requirement
|
Must meet a specific standard (A1 level initially, B1 for extensions/ILR).
|
Generally, no specific English language test required for the dependant.
|
|
Financial Requirement
|
Currently £29,000 combined annual income or sufficient savings (£88,500 if relying solely on savings).
|
Varies based on the main applicant's visa category and the number of dependants.
|
|
Path to ILR
|
Offers path to UK citizenship after 5 years of continuous residence.
|
Linked to the main applicant's route to ILR; often after 5 years if the main applicant qualifies.
|
|
Right to Work
|
Offers right to work without restrictions.
|
Offers right to work with restrictions.
|
|
Initial Visa Length
|
33 months (outside UK), 30 months (inside UK)
|
Mirrors the validity of the main applicant's visa
|
If you are not sure which visa to apply for, consult a UK immigration specialist.
Related Frequently Asked Questions
From 11 March 2024, new care workers and senior care workers applying for a UK Health and Care Worker Visa are no longer permitted to bring dependants.
A UK dependant visa can be denied due to insufficient or incomplete documentation, particularly regarding proof of relationship.
The UK Dependent Visa can be restrictive with strict eligibility criteria and complex relationship proof requirements, limiting who can join the main visa holder.
A UK Spouse Visa can be refused if the eligibility requirements are not met, such as the financial or genuine relationship criteria.
As of April 11, 2024, the new rule for the UK Spouse Visa is an increased financial threshold of £29,000.
From April 2025, most visitors previously visa-exempt (including EU/EEA nationals) will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK for tourism, short business, study, or transit. The fee for UK Visa & Sponsorship also increased.
Need Help Bringing Spouse to the UK?
Not sure which path to take to join (or bring) your spouse to the UK? Learn more about the difference between Spouse Visa and Dependant Visa with Legend Consults. Our UK immigration lawyer will walk you through the requirements, application (extension/switching visa) process, fees, and all you need to know. Book a consultation with our UK immigration specialist today!
Many people get confused between the Spouse and Dependent Visa when bringing their partners to the UK, but these two routes have different purposes and requirements. Let’s explore the difference between spouse visa and dependent visa UK and which best applies to you.
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