Family Visas
Dependant Visa
A Dependant Visa enables the immediate family members of UK visa holders to join them in the UK. Discover the application process and the key requirements for eligibility. Partners, spouses and children can use this visa to live, work and study in the UK alongside their family.
What is a UK dependant visa?
A UK Dependant Visa allows immediate family members, such as spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners, children, and in some cases, adult dependants, to join a relative who holds a qualifying UK visa or has settled status. This visa enables families to live, work, and study together in the UK.
Who can apply for a UK dependant visa?
You may be eligible to apply as a dependant if you are:
The spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner (living together for at least two years) of a visa holder.
A child under 18, or over 18 but financially dependent on the main visa holder.
An adult relative (parent, grandparent, or adult child) requiring long-term care that cannot be provided in your home country.
Recent changes to UK dependant visa rules
Minimum Income Requirement
The threshold for sponsoring a partner rose to £29,000 on 11 April 2024 and has stayed there. The further rises to £34,500 and £38,700 announced at the time were paused, and the Migration Advisory Committee recommended a lower figure in its 2025 review. No new threshold has been announced, so plan on £29,000 and check before you apply.
Eligibility for Students
As of January 2024, international students can only bring dependants if enrolled in a PhD or government-sponsored postgraduate research programme.
Care Workers
From March 2024, care workers and senior care workers are no longer permitted to bring dependants to the UK.
UK dependant visa requirements
Relationship Proof
Provide evidence of your relationship to the main visa holder (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate).
Financial Evidence
Demonstrate that the main visa holder can financially support you without recourse to public funds.
Accommodation
Show that adequate accommodation is available for you and your family.
Intention to Live Together
Confirm that you intend to live together in the UK.
UK dependant visa financial requirements
The sponsor must show they can support the family without public funds. Income from employment, self-employment, pensions and other permitted sources all count, and cash savings can make up the difference.
Partner
£29,000 gross a year, or £88,500 in cash savings held for at least six months.
Children
Under the current rules children do not raise the figure. Sponsors who first applied before 11 April 2024 stay on the old £18,600 threshold, which does add £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each child after that.
UK dependant visa required documents
Applicants typically need to provide:
Valid passport or travel document.
Proof of relationship to the main visa holder.
Financial evidence (e.g. payslips, bank statements).
Proof of accommodation.
Tuberculosis test results (if applicable).
Biometric information (fingerprints and photograph).
The exact documents required may vary depending on the specific visa category under which you're applying.
UK dependant visa application process
Complete the Online Application
Fill out the appropriate application form on the UK government website.
Pay the Fees
Submit the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Submit Documents
Upload all required documents to support your application.
Biometric Appointment
Attend a biometric appointment to provide fingerprints and a photograph.
Wait for a Decision
Processing times vary, but decisions are typically made within 8 weeks.
Rights and conditions
Work and Study
Dependant visa holders can live, work, and study in the UK without restrictions.
Public Funds
Dependant visa holders are not entitled to public funds.
Duration
The visa is usually granted for the same duration as the main visa holder's leave.
Pathway to settlement
After living in the UK for a continuous period of 5 years on a Dependant Visa, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), provided you meet all the necessary requirements.
Contact us for UK dependant visa legal advice today
Are you an overseas family member of a UK visa holder looking to join them in the UK? Our experienced immigration lawyers can guide you through the entire process of applying for a UK Dependant Visa. We'll ensure your application is handled efficiently and meets all UK immigration requirements. Contact us today for personalised legal advice and take the first step toward starting your life in the UK with your family.
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to what clients ask us most. Still unsure? Book a free consultation and we will talk it through.
Book a free consultationThe UK Dependant Visa allows immediate family members of a UK visa holder to join them in the UK. This visa is available to dependants of individuals holding work, study, business, or ancestry visas, including the Skilled Worker Visa.
A dependant can be a partner (spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner) or a child under the age of 18. Children aged 16 or over can qualify if they are financially supported and dependent on the main visa holder.
Starting from January 2024, international students are no longer able to bring dependants unless they are enrolled in a PhD or postgraduate research programme. Additionally, care workers and senior care workers will no longer be able to bring dependants from 11 March 2024.
Financial requirements vary depending on the main visa holder's category. For instance, the Skilled Worker Dependant Visa requires proof of £285 for a partner, and £315 for one child, with an additional £200 for each additional child. In cases where the main visa holder and dependant have been in the UK for 12 months or longer, the financial requirement may not apply.
The application process involves completing the online form, submitting required documents (such as proof of identity and financial evidence), paying the application fee, and attending a biometric appointment. The process may vary depending on the type of visa held by the main applicant.
Yes, individuals on a Dependant Visa can work in the UK without needing a separate work permit. They can change jobs and employers without the need to obtain permission from the Home Office.
Yes, after living in the UK for 5 continuous years on a Dependant Visa, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), provided you meet other necessary requirements.
The documents required can vary, but generally include: passport or travel document; proof of relationship to the main visa holder (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate); evidence of financial support (bank statements, payslips); proof of cohabitation (for partners); and other supporting documents as requested by UKVI.
Typically, you can expect a decision within 8 weeks of applying, although this may vary based on your individual circumstances and the complexity of your application.
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