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Table of Contents
Who Qualifies for a UK Dependant Visa?
The UK dependant visa allows family members of individuals living legally in the UK to join them until their visa expires, but not every member may qualify as a dependant.
• Who Are Dependants?
Based on the visa route of the applicant, the dependants include:
- Spouse or civil partner
- Unmarried partner (if you have lived together for at least 2 years)
- Children under 18 (or over 18 if already in the UK as dependants)
The primary visa holder must be in the UK on a valid route, such as:
- Skilled Worker Visa
- Student Visa
- Health and Care Worker Visa
- Temporary Work Visa
- Global Talent Visa
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (for eligible family reunion cases)
• Main Visa Categories That Allow Dependants
The main applicant must hold a qualifying primary visa which may be either of the following:
- Student Dependant Visa
- Health and Care Worker Visa
- Global Talent Visa
- Innovator Founder Visa
- Scale-Up Visa
- Start-Up Visa
- British Nationals or with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
UK Dependant Visa Documents Required
The UK Dependant Visa is only granted to those applications that fall within the Home Office list of requirements. Let’s see the list of UK dependant visa documents required:
1. Relationship Proof
For spouses and partners, applicants need to show:
- Certificate of their marriage or partnership
- Clear evidence of living together or being in contact
If the dependant visa applicant is unmarried, the applicant will need to show:
- Proof of a minimum of 2 years living together, shown through shared tenancy agreements, utility bills, council tax letters, or any joint financial assets
- Evidence of the ongoing relationship through photos, SMS, traveling diaries, etc.
If the dependants are children, applicants will need to show:
- Birth certificate of the child with both parents
- Evidence of the dependant living with parent(s) and not married
- Letter of consent
2. Accommodation
The dependants are required to stay in a house that has:
- The capacity to adjust to new people
- A legal sponsor owning or renting it
- Approval of habitation and not harmful to family members
The applicants will need to provide:
- The tenancy agreement or a statement of mortgage
- Utility bills or council tax bills
- Report of the inspection done for their accommodation
3. Language Proficiency
English language proficiency is a non-negotiable requirement for spouses and partners, proved through:
- Passing English Language A1 test
- Having a degree in English
- Being born in an English-speaking country
Children and some categories are exempt from this rule.
4. Background Check
Applicants should have:
- No past criminal record or legal issues
- No breach of immigration rules
- No cases of any threat to public safety
UK Dependant Visa Financial Requirements
There is a minimum threshold of income or savings to meet for each visa category to ensure that dependants will not be relying on public funds. For instance, if you are a Skilled Worker visa holder, amount includes:
- £285 for a partner
- £315 for one child
- £200 for every individual child
If you are a student visa holder, financial requirements are:
- £845/month (if you are in London)
- £680/month (if you are outside London)
If the sponsor (main applicant) has already been living in the UK for over a year, financial requirement does not apply.
Applying For a UK Dependant Visa in 2025
This depends on whether the main applicant is applying from within the UK or from outside. Here are how:
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility for the Visa Process
Before you begin the process, confirm that:
- The main applicant has the correct visa type that allows dependants.
- Relationship with dependants qualify within the Home Office rules.
- You fulfil all the financial and document requirements.
Seek legal advice from UK immigration lawyers for a maximum chance of success in your application.
Step 2: Get Your Documents Ready
The following documents are required:
- A proof of relationship
- Finances to cover maintenance and accommodation
- Active status of immigration for the main applicant
- A certificate of English language proficiency
In case of any non-English documents, you will have to translate them through a certified individual, along with a declaration that these are accurate.
Step 3: Form Submission and Biometric
Apply for a UK visa from the official government website by:
- Selecting the correct dependant visa form as per the visa holder’s route.
- Completing the application form and declaring all document history.
- Paying the visa application fee along with the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
- Booking your biometric appointment after submission:
a. Visa Application Centre (VAC) when you apply from a foreign country
b. UKVCAS centre when you apply from the UK
Step 4: Upload Documents & Wait for Decision
- Upload all required documents before the biometric or at the appointment center facility.
- Make sure all documents are clear, and file names are proper, like “Birth_Certificate”.
- It can take 3 to 6 weeks in standard time, and 1 week in priority (from outside the UK)
- It can take 8 weeks in standard time, 5 working days in priority (within the UK)
- The decision will be emailed or sent in letter form, along with a biometric residence permit (BRP), after approval.
- Once your application is approved, you can travel to the UK within the specified validity period, which is typically 90 days. After arrival, you need to collect your BRP from the given office and get registered with the employer or school.
Dependants' Rights in the UK
As soon as the dependant visa is granted, the visa holder can stay in the UK on the same duration as the primary visa holder, but their rights differ. Here are some of the conditions for the UK dependants:
• Right to Work in the UK
The dependants (partners/spouses) can work full-time in the UK with restrictions like:
- Starting your business or getting attached to a current business
- Working in various sectors or job roles
Exceptions apply in different routes, like student dependants who are not allowed to carry out employment as per their chosen school.
• Right to Study
Dependants are allowed to enrol in schools without getting a separate visa. Eligible individuals include:
- Adult dependants who want to pursue further education.
- Children who want to attend schools in the UK must work by the local council’s rules.
• Healthcare Accessibility
As dependant visa holders pay an Immigration Health surcharge (IHS) during application, they are allowed to have:
- NHS general practitioner services
- Emergency unit care
- Maternity treatment and services
Once you have paid the IHS, there are no further NHS fees required except for the charges of any prescriptions or other related costs.
Can Dependants Travel in and Out of the UK?
Yes, the dependants are free to travel within and outside the UK. After visa expiry and no extension applications are made, they will have to return to their original country of residence with or after the main applicant. They are also required to carry out a biometric residence permit (BRP) at the border for proof.
What About Public Funds Access?
Most dependants are not allowed to use government funds, such as:
- Universal Credit
- Child Support
- Housing Support
- Tax Support in Council
Accessing public funds is deemed illegal and may lead to visa cancellation or rejection from any other application.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
If the dependant wants to settle through other routes, they may also qualify for the Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) on the following conditions:
- They did not stay outside the UK for 180 days in a year.
- They lived in the UK continuously for 10 years and have an active dependant status.
- They have fulfilled test requirements, like English Language and Life in the UK.
Reasons for UK Dependant Visa Refusals
Every year, a huge number of applications are refused, usually due to lack of evidence or misunderstanding of the rules. Some common reasons for refusal include:
• Lack of Relationship Evidence
There are strict rules from the Home Office against claims of marriage, partnership, or cases where the couple is not currently living together. The application can be refused:
- On a missing or incomplete relationship evidence
- If not showing communication logs or any proof
- If both the applicant and dependant’s words do not match
• Not Following Document Timelines
Applicants are refused when:
- They submit applications without considering the 28-day timeframe.
- They make complicated deposits without any details.
- The documents do not match the applicant’s name.
• Accommodation Issues
Common rejection reasons on this area include:
- Not having any tenancy agreement
- The property is already too crowded
- There is no audit report attached about the property
• No History Attached
Be sure to attach a complete history of your immigration. If there was any visa cancellation in the past, refusal, or any other history, that may show you are lying about the documents.
Let Experts Handle Your UK Dependant Visa Application
It’s a big decision for any family to come and start living in the UK. One small mistake can lead to Home Office refusals. Legend Consults can guide you through your UK dependant visa requirements and increase your chances for approval on the first try.
Whether you are applying today or looking to extend/switch your dependant visa, give our UK immigration expert a call. We offer free initial consultations.
Bringing your family member to the UK? It’s crucial that you first understand the UK Dependant Visa requirements. They can join you if they meet the criteria.
Stricter rules were introduced in 2025, but this guide will help you understand the rules and application process, especially what not to do to avoid refusal. Let’s get started.
