UK Dependant Visas

UK Dependant Visa: Complete Guide to Eligibility, Requirements, Costs and Applications

A dependant visa lets close family members join you while you live, work or study in the United Kingdom. Their permission is tied directly to the main applicant's status. It is not a standalone immigration category. Instead, it attaches to routes such as the Skilled Worker, Student, Global Talent and Innovator Founder visas.

Because the dependant's permission follows the main visa holder, its length, conditions and extension rules usually mirror theirs. If the main applicant's visa is refused or curtailed, the dependant's permission falls with it. Your family can usually apply at the same time as you, or join you later once you’re settled.​

UK Dependant Visa Overview: What It Is and Who It's For

The Home Office recognises two groups of dependants:

Dependant partners

A partner may qualify for a dependant visa if they are:

• a spouse

• a civil partner

• an unmarried partner in a 2 years' cohabitation

• an unmarried partner in a 2 years' durable relationship but unable to live together ^[1]

Dependant children

A child generally qualifies if they are under 18 at the date of application, unmarried, and living with the parents unless away for full-time education. Children over 18 can usually only apply if they already hold dependant permission.^[2]

How Dependant Visas Differ from the Family Visa Route

The key difference between a dependant visa and a family visa is generally the immigration status of the person being joined in the UK. Dependant visas typically allow partners and children to join someone on an eligible work or study visa, while family visas are generally for those joining a British citizen, settled person or another qualifying family sponsor.

If your partner or parent is a British citizen or holds indefinite leave to remain (ILR), you would generally apply under the UK family visa rules rather than as a dependant of a work or study visa holder. It has its own rules, including a minimum income requirement and a different path to settlement.

Dependant visas are generally granted with the same expiry date as the main visa holder's permission. Family visas usually have their own duration and settlement requirements, with qualifying partners typically following a five-year or ten-year route to settlement. Exceptions apply, including where the main visa holder obtains indefinite leave to remain.

Both family visa holders and work-route dependants can generally work or be self-employed in the UK. However, work-route dependants are usually prohibited from working as professional sportspersons or sports coaches. Different restrictions apply to fiancé(e) visas, which do not permit work until further immigration permission is granted.

Which route should you choose?

The correct route depends on whether you are making your first application to join a family member, extending existing dependant permission or applying for settlement. A family member obtaining ILR or British citizenship does not automatically mean you must switch to a family visa.

Main visa categories that allow dependants

Many UK immigration routes allow eligible partners and children to join or remain with the main visa holder. However, the eligibility requirements, work rights and restrictions vary depending on the visa route and individual circumstances.

In each case, "dependant" means a spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner in a durable relationship of at least two years, or a child under 18. Dependant applications are made online and are linked to the main applicant's visa.^[4]

Key Rule Changes and Transitional Arrangements

Several changes to UK immigration rules have affected who can apply for a dependant visa. Transitional arrangements may protect certain applicants who were already on an eligible route before the changes took effect.

Important dates include:

• 1 January 2024: New restrictions limited dependant eligibility for most students starting courses from this date. Exceptions include qualifying postgraduate research students and government-sponsored students.

• 11 March 2024: Care workers and senior care workers became subject to restrictions on bringing dependants to the UK. Transitional arrangements protect certain workers who applied under the previous rules.

• 11 April 2024: The minimum income requirement for new partner visa applications under Appendix FM increased from £18,600 to £29,000. Qualifying applicants who applied before this date may remain subject to the previous financial requirement when extending with the same partner.

• 22 July 2025: Major Skilled Worker reforms raised the general salary threshold from £38,700 to £41,700 for many applicants, increased the usual skill requirement to RQF Level 6, and ended new overseas applications for care worker and senior care worker roles. New restrictions also prevented workers sponsored in certain occupations below RQF Level 6 from bringing dependants. Exceptions and transitional arrangements apply to eligible existing workers.

What if you already hold a dependant visa?

If you already hold a dependant visa, you may be able to extend your permission under transitional arrangements, depending on your immigration route and personal circumstances.

Each case must be assessed individually, taking into account the relevant dates, immigration history and the requirements of the specific visa route. Applications should normally be submitted before your current permission expires, although applying on time does not automatically guarantee continued eligibility under the previous rules.

Visa types that cannot sponsor dependants

Not every visa holder can bring dependants. Several immigration statuses do not permit the holder to bring dependants to the UK at all. These include:

• Youth Mobility visa holders

• Visitor visa holders, as visit visas carry no sponsorship rights

• Short-term Student visa holders (English language courses of 6 to 11 months)

• Students on taught courses, including most taught master's degrees, following the January 2024 rule change

• Care workers and senior care workers sponsored on or after 11 March 2024

• Asylum seekers, whose position has been further restricted following the closure of the refugee family reunion route

Recent changes to UK Dependant visa rules

A series of rule changes since January 2024 has significantly narrowed who can sponsor dependants. The two groups most affected are international students, for whom the student dependant visa route now applies only to research-level study, and care workers, who lost the right to sponsor dependants altogether.

New rules for Student dependants

Since 1 January 2024, a student can only sponsor a student dependant visa if they are studying a PhD, another doctoral qualification, or a research-based postgraduate programme^[8].

Taught master's students, who previously made up a large share of dependant applications, are now excluded. The spouse of a one-year MSc student, for example, would need to qualify for a visa in their own right.

Graduate visa holders cannot add new dependants. Only family members who already held dependant permission during the main applicant's Student visa can extend alongside them.

The main exception is government-sponsored students on courses lasting longer than six months, who remain able to apply for a student dependant visa for their family members. These changes do not remove permission from dependants who were already in the UK before the rules took effect; they apply to new applications.

Restrictions for Care Workers and Skilled Worker dependants

Since 11 March 2024, care workers and senior care workers sponsored under the Health and Care Worker route have generally been unable to bring partners or children to the UK as dependants.

This restriction applies to occupation codes 6135 (care workers and home carers) and 6136 (senior care workers), previously classified under codes 6145 and 6146.

Transitional arrangements: Workers who applied under the rules in force before 11 March 2024 and have maintained continuous qualifying Skilled Worker permission may still be eligible to bring dependants, including family members who have not previously joined them. Limited exceptions also apply to certain children.

Workers switching into care worker or senior care worker roles from other visa routes after 11 March 2024 are generally subject to the dependant restrictions.

Wider Skilled Worker restrictions: From 22 July 2025, similar restrictions were introduced for new Skilled Worker applicants sponsored in certain occupations below RQF Level 6. Transitional arrangements and limited exceptions apply.

Requirements for a Dependant Partner

To qualify as a dependant partner, applicants must meet the relationship requirements for the relevant UK visa route.

• Qualifying relationship. Applicants must be married, in a civil partnership, or in a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years.

• Genuine and ongoing relationship. The relationship must be genuine and continuing. Unmarried partners do not necessarily need to have lived together for two years, but must provide evidence of their relationship.

• Intention to live together. Both partners must intend to live together in the UK during their stay.

• Identity and immigration status. Applicants must provide proof of identity and details of the main visa holder so their applications can be linked.

Typical supporting documents include:

• Marriage or civil partnership certificate, where applicable

• Evidence of living together, such as tenancy agreements or utility bills

• Joint bank statements or shared financial commitments

• Evidence of regular communication and visits, particularly where the couple has lived apart

• Other documents demonstrating an ongoing relationship

The exact evidence required depends on the couple's circumstances and the visa route.

Requirements for a Dependant Child

Children may qualify for a UK dependant visa if they meet the requirements of the relevant immigration route.

• Age requirement. Children must generally be under 18 when first applying. Those aged 18 or over may qualify if they already hold permission as a dependant child and continue to meet the relevant requirements.

• Relationship to the main applicant. The child must be the child of the main visa holder or their partner, with appropriate evidence of the relationship.

• Living arrangements and dependency. The child must not be married or in a civil partnership, must not be leading an independent life, and must normally live with their parent or parents, unless living away for full-time education.

• Parental immigration status. Both parents must generally have, or be applying for, qualifying UK immigration permission, although exceptions apply, including where one parent has sole responsibility for the child.

• Children born in the UK. Being born in the UK does not automatically make a child a British citizen. Children who are not British may need dependant permission, particularly if they intend to travel outside the UK and return.

The specific requirements and supporting documents depend on the main applicant's visa route and the family's circumstances.

Financial requirements for a UK Dependant visa

Every dependant application involves a financial test, but the figures depend on the route. Work and Student routes use fixed maintenance funds thresholds, while the family visa route under Appendix FM uses a minimum income requirement.

Maintenance funds thresholds and the 28-day rule

On most Work and Student routes, the family must show the following amounts in available funds:

• £1,270 for the main applicant

• £285 for a dependant partner

• £315 for the first child

• £200 for each additional child

The money must have been held for 28 consecutive days, with the 28-day period ending no more than 31 days before the date of application.

Two exemptions apply:

• applicants who have already been in the UK with valid permission for 12 months or more do not need to show these funds, and

• an A-rated sponsor can certify maintenance on the certificate of sponsorship, confirming it will support the family during the first month if needed.

Income Thresholds on the Family Visa Route

Partners applying under Appendix FM must generally meet a minimum annual income requirement of £29,000. This increased from £18,600 on 11 April 2024.

The requirement can be met through eligible employment or self-employment income, pension income, non-employment income such as rent or dividends, or cash savings. Certain income sources can also be combined.

Using cash savings

Applicants who cannot meet the income threshold through earnings alone may be able to use cash savings to cover the shortfall.

For the standard partner visa calculation, the first £16,000 of savings is disregarded. The remaining amount is divided by 2.5 to determine how much can count towards the annual income requirement.

For example:

• £29,000 annual income: Meets the standard requirement without additional savings.

• £25,000 annual income: Requires £26,000 in eligible cash savings to cover the £4,000 annual shortfall.

• £20,000 annual income: Requires £38,500 in eligible cash savings to cover the £9,000 annual shortfall.

• No qualifying income: Requires £88,500 in eligible cash savings to meet the £29,000 requirement entirely through savings.

Cash savings must normally have been held for at least six months before applying, although exceptions apply. Not all income sources can be combined with savings.

Transitional arrangements for existing applicants

Applicants who first applied under the partner route before 11 April 2024 and are extending their permission with the same partner generally remain subject to the previous £18,600 threshold.

Under these transitional rules, additional income may be required for dependant children: £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each additional child. However, the total income requirement is capped at £29,000.

Applicants assessed under the newer £29,000 threshold do not face separate child-related income additions.

Evidence of income

Applicants relying on salaried employment will commonly need at least six months of payslips, corresponding bank statements and an employer's letter. Different evidence and calculation rules apply where someone has recently changed jobs, has variable earnings or is self-employed.

Exceptions to the income requirement

Where the UK sponsor receives certain disability or carer-related benefits, the standard minimum income threshold may not apply. Instead, applicants must demonstrate adequate maintenance and accommodation.

In exceptional circumstances, applicants who cannot meet the financial requirement may still qualify under alternative provisions, although this can affect their route to settlement.

English language requirements and exemptions for dependants

Most dependants do not need to pass an English language test to get their visa. A dependant partner on a work route, or an applicant for a student dependant visa, faces no language requirement at the application stage, although a B1-level qualification is needed later at settlement.

Child dependants never need to meet the requirement on any route. The position is different on the family visa route: partners of British citizens or settled persons must normally prove English at level A1 for the first application, A2 for an extension, and B1 for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Exemptions apply to applicants aged 65 or over, those with a physical or mental health condition that prevents them from meeting the requirement, nationals of majority English-speaking countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and cases involving exceptional circumstances.

Additional requirements for dependant applicants

Beyond relationship and financial evidence, dependants must satisfy accommodation rules on some routes and general suitability criteria on all of them.

Accommodation requirement on the family visa route

On the family visa route under Appendix FM, the couple must show you will have adequate accommodation in the UK without recourse to public funds and without overcrowding. Typical evidence includes a tenancy agreement, mortgage statements or property deeds, a letter from the property owner confirming permission to live there, or an official floorplan. By contrast, accommodation is not a standalone requirement for most work or Student route dependant applications, where the maintenance funds test is treated as covering living arrangements.

Suitability and immigration history requirements

All dependant applications are assessed against the general grounds for refusal. The applicant must have no serious criminal convictions, no history of immigration breaches such as overstaying, illegal entry or using deception in a previous application, and must not pose a risk to public health or safety. Depending on nationality and residence, a tuberculosis test certificate may be required.

The application must also be made from a permitted location: for example, a person in the UK as a visitor cannot normally switch into a dependant route from inside the country.

Work restrictions and access to public funds

The rights of dependant visa holders depend on the immigration route under which their permission was granted.

Working and studying

Most work-route dependants can work for any employer, become self-employed or run a business without requiring separate visa sponsorship. The main restriction is generally on working as a professional sportsperson or sports coach, although exceptions apply to certain routes, including UK Ancestry.

Dependants can also generally study in the UK, although some courses require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.

Healthcare and public funds

Dependants can generally access NHS healthcare, subject to the applicable immigration health arrangements and NHS charging rules. Some must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, while others are exempt.

Most dependant visas carry a No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) condition. This means holders cannot normally claim certain state benefits, including Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Child Benefit.

Accessing public funds in breach of an immigration condition can have consequences for future visa applications. However, exceptions exist, and certain benefits are not classified as public funds for immigration purposes.

The specific conditions attached to a person's immigration permission should always be checked.

Dependant Visa Costs and Processing Times

The cost of a UK dependant visa. depends on the immigration route, where the application is made and the length of permission requested.

Each dependant normally pays a separate visa application fee. Most applicants must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which is calculated according to the length of their visa.

For families applying together, these costs can be substantial. The IHS alone may exceed the combined visa application fees, so it is important to calculate the total cost before applying.

Child Dependant Visa Fees, Family Visa Costs and Priority Services

Children generally pay the same visa application fee as adult dependants on the same work or study route. However, they benefit from a lower Immigration Health Surcharge.

The standard annual IHS rates are:

• £1,035 per year for most adult applicants.

• £776 per year for children under 18.

• £776 per year for Student visa holders and their dependants, including adults.

For example, a family of four comprising two adults and two children applying for three-year Skilled Worker visas would normally pay £10,866 in Immigration Health Surcharge alone, in addition to their visa application fees.

Some applicants are exempt from the surcharge. These include eligible Health and Care Worker visa holders and their dependants, as well as applicants under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Family visa applications, including those for partners and children joining British citizens or settled people, have separate fee structures. The appropriate route depends on the sponsor's immigration status, the family relationship and any existing immigration permission.

Additional Costs to Consider

Depending on the application, additional expenses may include:

• Tuberculosis (TB) testing at a Home Office-approved clinic, where required.

• Certified translations of documents not in English or Welsh.

• Charges for optional services at visa application centres.

• Priority or super priority processing, where available.

How to Apply for a UK Dependant Visa Step by Step

Applying for a dependant visa UK involves four main stages:

1. Complete the online application. Select the correct dependant visa application for your circumstances and provide details of the main visa holder.

2. Pay the application fees. Pay the relevant visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), unless an exemption applies.

3. Provide supporting documents. Submit evidence of your relationship, identity, financial circumstances and any other documents required for your visa route.

4. Verify your identity. Depending on your circumstances, you may need to attend a biometric appointment or use the UK Immigration: ID Check app.

Dependants can generally apply at the same time as the main visa applicant or later, provided they meet the relevant requirements. Applications are linked using the main applicant's application reference number or a family linking code, where available.

Applying from Inside vs Outside the UK

Where you apply from determines the application process, fees and how you prove your identity. Application fees vary by route and may differ depending on whether you apply from inside or outside the UK.

Applying from outside the UK

You must complete the relevant online dependant visa application. Depending on your circumstances, you may need to attend a visa application centre to provide your fingerprints and photograph, or you may be able to verify your identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app.

A tuberculosis (TB) test may also be required if you have recently lived in a country listed by the Home Office and are applying to stay in the UK for more than six months.

Applying from inside the UK

If you already hold qualifying immigration permission, you may be able to extend your dependant visa or switch from another visa category. However, some categories, including visitor visas, do not permit switching from within the UK.

Typical Documents Needed for a UK Dependant Visa

The documents required for a UK dependant visa depend on the immigration route and the applicant's circumstances. Most applications involve evidence of identity, the family relationship, financial circumstances and the main visa holder's immigration status.

Missing or inconsistent documents can lead to delays or refusal, so it is important to check the requirements before applying.

Identity Documents, Marriage and Birth Certificates

Applicants normally need a valid passport or other acceptable travel document to establish their identity.

Supporting documents may include:

• Marriage or civil partnership certificate for applicants relying on a legally recognised marriage or civil partnership.

• Birth certificate for dependant children, normally showing the names of their parents.

• Certified translations for documents not written in English or Welsh.

• Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate where required under the Home Office's testing rules.

Additional evidence may be needed where a child has only one parent accompanying them, has been adopted or has other circumstances requiring clarification.

Bank Statements and Financial Evidence

Many dependant visa routes require applicants to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to support themselves in the UK.

For Skilled Worker dependants, the standard maintenance amounts are:

• £285 for a dependant partner

• £315 for the first dependant child

• £200 for each additional dependant child

Where financial evidence is required, funds must generally have been held for at least 28 consecutive days, with the evidence dated no more than 31 days before the application.

Applicants who have already lived in the UK with valid immigration permission for at least 12 months may be exempt from providing financial evidence.

Alternatively, an eligible employer may certify maintenance for dependants through the main applicant's Certificate of Sponsorship.

Financial requirements differ between immigration routes. For example, Student dependants have separate maintenance requirements based on the location and duration of the course.

Proving the Main Visa Holder's Immigration Status

Dependant applications must establish that the main visa holder has, or is applying for, qualifying immigration permission.

Applicants will typically need to provide:

• The main applicant's visa application reference number

• Details of their current immigration permission or eVisa

• A Certificate of Sponsorship reference for relevant work routes

• A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference for Student dependants, where applicable

Where family members apply together, their applications can normally be linked through the online application process.

A supporting letter explaining the relationship or family circumstances may be helpful in some cases, but is not a standard requirement for every application.

Relationship Evidence for Unmarried Partners

Unmarried partners must generally demonstrate that they have been in a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years.

Living together for two years is not mandatory, provided the couple can demonstrate that their relationship meets the relevant requirements. In these circumstances, you should be able to demonstrate why you could not live together. For example, if you were studying in different locations, or if living together would not be accepted in your culture.

Evidence may include:

• Joint tenancy agreements or mortgage statements

• Utility bills or official correspondence showing a shared address

• Joint bank statements or shared financial commitments

• Evidence of regular visits or travel together

• Records of communication during periods spent apart

• Evidence explaining why the couple have not lived together

Where possible, documents should demonstrate the relationship over time rather than covering only the period immediately before the application.

The Home Office assesses relationship evidence as a whole. The documents required will depend on the couple's individual circumstances.

How Long is the Dependant Visa Processing Times?

Processing times depend on the visa route, whether the application is made inside or outside the UK, and whether additional checks are required.

Many work-route dependant applications made outside the UK are normally decided within three weeks, while applications made inside the UK commonly take up to eight weeks. Family visa applications may have different processing times.

Priority services may be available for an additional fee, but faster processing is not guaranteed.

Applicants should check the latest Home Office fees and processing times before submitting their application.

How to Avoid Common Mistakes That Get Visas Refused

Common reasons for refusal include weak relationship evidence, missing documents and inconsistencies between family members’ applications. Most of these are avoidable.

Check the following before submitting:

• Match the main applicant’s details. Dates, addresses and relationship history must be consistent across all applications.

• Prove the relationship properly. Unmarried partners must show a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years. Evidence of living together, such as joint tenancy agreements or bills.

• Use recognised documents. Certificates must be officially issued, with certified translations for any documents not in English or Welsh.

• Check child eligibility rules. Children applying for the first time must generally be under 18. All dependant children must not be leading an independent life, married or in a civil partnership.

A dependant application is linked to the main application. If the main applicant is refused, the dependant application will normally be refused too. Submitting all applications with consistent, complete evidence protects the whole family.

When Your Dependant Visa Case Is More Complex

The following are examples of more complex applications that we regularly see with our clients.

1. Unmarried partners. Applicants must show a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years. Living together is not mandatory, but without it the evidence needs careful preparation. Useful documents include joint tenancy agreements, shared bank accounts and bills in both names. We can assess whether the evidence is strong enough before the Home Office does.

2. Previous refusals. Any refusal, in any category, raises the stakes for a new application. Our team can review the refusal letter, identify the exact grounds relied on, and build the next application around them.

3. Children over 18 or born in the UK. Children over 18 usually need to have already held permission as a dependant. A child born in the UK is only automatically British if a parent was British or settled at the time of birth. Otherwise, the child may need their own application for permission or registration.

4. Criminal convictions or immigration breaches. Overstaying, deception in an earlier application or any conviction must always be disclosed, and how it is disclosed matters. Advice should be taken before applying.

5. Complex finances. Where the maintenance requirement cannot clearly be met through personal bank statements, we can check whether an exemption applies or whether the main applicant’s sponsor can certify maintenance.

6. Tight timescales. Where the main applicant’s visa is about to expire or the family needs to travel on fixed dates, we can advise on priority processing options and whether an in-country application is possible on the route. Leaving the UK while an in-country application is pending usually means it is treated as withdrawn.

Extending a Dependant Visa

Dependants can usually extend their permission when the main visa holder extends theirs, provided they continue to meet the eligibility requirements for that route.

A dependant’s permission does not extend automatically when the main visa holder’s does, and dependants do not have to apply at the same time. Their existing permission normally remains valid until its expiry date, although it can be cut short if the main visa holder’s permission is cancelled or the relationship ends.

When and How to Extend Your Dependant Visa

You must apply to extend before your current permission expires. The simplest approach is to apply at the same time as the main visa holder. Applying together keeps expiry dates aligned and allows the applications to be considered together, although each family member is assessed individually.

Extensions are submitted online through GOV.UK, with each dependant completing their own application linked to the main applicant.^[4] A partner or child applying separately from the main visa holder uses the form for dependants applying on their own.^[6]

You will need to show that the original eligibility requirements are still met:

• Relationship evidence: you remain married, in a civil partnership, or in an unmarried relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership, and you intend to continue living together. Updated evidence of living together helps, such as joint tenancy agreements, council tax bills or joint bank statements.

• Children’s circumstances: a child must not be leading an independent life, married or in a civil partnership. Children who have turned 18 can usually still extend if they were previously granted permission as a dependant.

• Financial requirement: where required, evidence of maintenance funds. Applicants who have held permission in the UK for 12 months or more by the date of application are usually exempt.

Each extension usually requires a new application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge payment for each family member. Health and Care Worker visa holders and their dependants are exempt from the surcharge. Budget for the full cost per family member, not just the main visa holder’s fee.

After submitting, you will either attend a biometric appointment or confirm your identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app, depending on your circumstances.

Apply in good time before your permission expires. If you apply before it expires, you can remain in the UK on your existing conditions while the application is decided.

What Happens If the Main Visa Holder Changes or Loses Their Visa?

A dependant’s permission is linked to the main visa holder’s. If the main visa holder is refused an extension, has their permission cancelled or leaves the UK permanently, the Home Office may also cancel the dependant’s permission.

If the main visa holder switches to a different route, dependants must check whether the new route allows family members and whether they meet its requirements. If the new route does allow dependants, family members will usually need to apply for permission under that route.

If the relationship ends, a partner no longer qualifies as a dependant, and their permission may be cancelled. They will need to leave the UK or qualify for permission on another basis.

If the main visa holder’s circumstances change, it is important to act quickly. Where permission is cancelled, it is usually curtailed to 60 days. This gives time to apply under another route or make arrangements to leave.

Dependants who have completed the required qualifying period may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), which ends their reliance on the main visa holder’s status.

If you are unsure, we recommend taking advice before the main visa holder’s status changes. Once a dependant’s permission has expired, their options for remaining in the UK become very limited, and overstaying can affect future applications.

Can a Dependant Visa Lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain?

Some dependant visa routes provide a pathway to indefinite leave to remain (ILR), allowing eligible family members to settle permanently in the UK.

For example, dependant partners of Skilled Worker visa holders can generally apply for ILR after five years of qualifying residence in the UK. To do so, they must meet the relevant requirements, and the main visa holder must be applying for, or have already obtained, settlement.

The requirements for dependant children differ, and they may be eligible for settlement without completing the same five-year qualifying period.

Not all dependant visas lead directly to settlement. For example, the Graduate and High Potential Individual (HPI) routes do not provide a direct pathway to ILR, although eligible applicants may be able to switch to another immigration route.

Once granted ILR, a person can live, work and study in the UK without needing to extend their visa or remain dependant on the main visa holder's immigration permission.

Routes to British Citizenship After Settlement

Adults with indefinite leave to remain (ILR) can usually apply to naturalise as British citizens after holding ILR for at least 12 months, provided they have completed five years of qualifying residence in the UK and meet the other requirements.

Applicants must normally have spent no more than 450 days outside the UK during those five years, including no more than 90 days in the final 12 months. They must also have been physically present in the UK at the start of the qualifying period, meet the good character and language requirements, and pass the Life in the UK test, unless exempt. The Home Office can exercise discretion over certain residence requirements.

Applicants married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen can usually apply as soon as they obtain ILR, without waiting another 12 months. They must normally have completed three years of qualifying residence, with no more than 270 days outside the UK during that period and 90 days in the final 12 months.

Children have different citizenship rules. A child born in the UK when a parent is already British or settled is generally British automatically. A child born in the UK before a parent becomes settled or British may be entitled to register as a British citizen while under 18. Children born outside the UK may also qualify for registration, depending on their circumstances.

Children who are not already British require a separate registration application, which may be submitted alongside a parent's naturalisation application where appropriate.

British citizenship removes the need for immigration permission and allows eligible citizens to apply for a British passport and exercise voting rights. For families settling permanently in the UK, citizenship may be the next step after ILR.

How can we help?

Dependant Visa applications are bread and butter for our QC Team experts who advise on such matters on a daily basis. Complex cases, especially those involving children, require strategic expertise and tailored approach.

If you are looking for assistance, our team can guide you and your dependants throughout the entire process, including document preparation, application completion, handling further requests from the Home Office and advising on issues or change in circumstances. Our multilingual UK team serves international clients from all over the world.

Which visa types allow you to bring dependants to the UK?

Most work and business routes allow dependants, including Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Senior or Specialist Worker, Expansion Worker, Scale-up, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, Minister of Religion, International Sportsperson, UK Ancestry and BN(O). Since 22 July 2025, Skilled Workers in roles below RQF level 6 generally cannot bring new dependants unless transitional provisions apply. Care workers and senior care workers who applied on or after 11 March 2024 cannot bring dependants. Graduate visa holders cannot bring new dependants, but existing Student dependants can usually continue on the route.

What are the rules for Student dependants?

For courses starting on or after 1 January 2024, only students on PhD, doctoral or research-based postgraduate programmes, and government-sponsored students on courses longer than six months, can bring dependants. Students on taught courses, including most master’s degrees, can no longer bring a partner or children.

How much does a UK dependant visa cost?

The total cost is made up of the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge for each family member. For example, a Student dependant pays £558 plus £776 per year in surcharge. A Skilled Worker dependant applying from outside the UK pays £819 (for visas of up to three years) or £1,618 (over three years), plus £1,035 per year in surcharge. Fees are higher for applications made inside the UK. Health and Care Worker visa holders and their dependants are exempt from the surcharge. Translations, TB tests and priority processing can add to the total.

What evidence do partners need?

Partners must show the relationship is genuine and subsisting. Married couples and civil partners should provide their marriage or civil partnership certificate. Unmarried partners must show a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years. Living together is not mandatory, but evidence such as joint tenancy agreements, shared bank accounts and bills in both names is strong supporting evidence.

Is an English test required for dependants?

No. Adult dependants on work and study routes do not currently need to meet an English language requirement when applying. Partners applying for ILR will usually need to meet the English requirement and pass the Life in the UK test. For several settlement routes, the required level rises from B1 to B2 for applications made on or after 26 March 2027, so it is worth starting language preparation early.

How long does a dependant visa application take?

Applications made outside the UK on work routes are usually decided within three weeks. Applications made inside the UK usually take around eight weeks. Complex cases can take longer. Where available, priority and super priority services can reduce this to five working days or the next working day for an additional fee.

How can I reduce the risk of refusal?

Submit complete, consistent evidence. Mismatched dates, untranslated certificates and thin relationship evidence are common reasons for refusal. Use certified translations for any document not in English or Welsh, check whether a TB test is required, and make sure bank statements cover the full 28-day period. If the main applicant is refused, linked dependant applications will normally be refused too.

Can a child born in the UK get status automatically?

It depends on the parents’ status at the time of birth. A child born in the UK is automatically British if either parent was British or settled (for example, held ILR) when the child was born. Otherwise, the child does not automatically hold any immigration status. They can lawfully remain in the UK, but will need a dependant application before travelling abroad and re-entering, so most families apply soon after the birth. The child may also be able to register as British later, once a parent settles.

Can dependants switch to another visa category?

Yes, in most cases. A dependant partner with a qualifying job offer can switch to a Skilled Worker visa, and a dependant child can switch to a Student visa for university. Switching to their own visa removes the dependant’s reliance on the main visa holder, which can be valuable if the relationship ends or the main visa holder leaves the UK.

Can dependants apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain?

Yes. Under the current rules, dependant partners on most work routes, including Skilled Worker, Global Talent and Innovator Founder, can apply for ILR after five years’ continuous residence as a dependant. The three-year route available to some Global Talent and Innovator Founder main applicants does not extend to dependants. The Government announced in November 2026 that it plans to lengthen the standard qualifying period for ILR under its “earned settlement” reforms, with changes expected during 2027, so check the current rules before applying.

What happens after 2.5 years on a spouse or partner visa?

Before the visa expires, the holder must apply to extend for a further 2.5 years. They must show the relationship is still genuine and subsisting, that the financial requirement is still met, and English at level A2. After five years on the partner route, they can apply for ILR, which requires the English language requirement and a pass in the Life in the UK test.

What are the latest changes to spouse and partner visas?

The minimum income requirement for the family route is £29,000. A planned increase to £38,700 was paused, and the Migration Advisory Committee recommended against raising it further. The Government has not yet announced its final decision. Thresholds and eligibility change frequently, so always check GOV.UK before applying.