A UK dependant visa allows the close family members of a person living in the UK to join them or remain with them. Whether you are a spouse, partner, or child of someone on a work visa, student visa, or settled in the UK, understanding the UK dependant visa requirements in 2026 is essential before you apply.
Getting the eligibility, documents, or financial requirements wrong is one of the most common reasons the Home Office refuses family applications. In this guide, we explain exactly who qualifies, what documents you need, how much it costs, and how the application process works.
What is a UK dependant visa?
A UK dependant visa allows family members to accompany or join a person, known as the main applicant or lead visa holder, who is living in the UK on a qualifying visa. Dependants do not apply in their own right. Instead, they apply under the same visa route as the lead applicant.
For example:
- The spouse of a skilled worker visa holder applies as a skilled worker dependant
- The child of a student visa holder applies as a student dependant
- The partner of a global talent visa holder applies as a global talent dependant
Therefore, the rules that apply to your dependant visa depend significantly on which visa category the main applicant holds. However, several requirements apply across most dependant routes.
Who can apply as a UK dependant?
The following family members can apply as dependants in most visa categories:
Spouse or civil partner: Your husband, wife, or civil partner can apply as your dependant. The relationship must be legally recognised. In addition, both parties must be aged 18 or over. A marriage or civil partnership certificate is required as evidence.
Unmarried partner: An unmarried partner, including a same-sex partner, can apply as a dependant if you have been in a genuine, subsisting relationship for at least 2 years. This is sometimes called a durable relationship. You must provide substantial evidence of cohabitation and a genuine relationship.
Dependent children: Your biological children, adopted children, or stepchildren who are under 18 can apply as dependants. Each child must make a separate application. In addition, parental consent rules apply. Read our child dependent visa UK guide for full details.
UK dependant visa requirements: eligibility conditions
Regardless of the specific visa route, most dependant applications must satisfy the following core conditions:
The main applicant must hold a qualifying visa
Your dependant can only apply if you, the main applicant, hold a valid qualifying visa or are applying at the same time. The lead applicant’s visa must have sufficient time remaining to support the dependant’s application.
The relationship must be genuine and subsisting
The Home Office assesses whether your relationship is genuine. It looks for evidence of a real, ongoing relationship. It does not accept a marriage or partnership entered into primarily for immigration purposes. Therefore, relationship evidence is one of the most important parts of any dependant application.
Adequate accommodation and maintenance
You must demonstrate that your family can be adequately accommodated and maintained in the UK without recourse to public funds. The specific financial requirements vary by visa route and are covered in detail below.
No adverse immigration history
Dependants must not have a history of immigration breaches, deception, or criminal convictions that would make them ineligible for a UK visa.
Financial requirements for dependent visas by route
The financial requirements differ significantly depending on which visa route the main applicant holds.
Skilled worker dependants
There is no specific additional income requirement for skilled worker dependants beyond the main applicant meeting the skilled worker salary threshold of Β£41,700 per year. However, you must demonstrate that you can accommodate and maintain your family.
In addition, if dependants are applying from outside the UK, each dependant must show they hold sufficient maintenance funds. These are typically Β£285 for a partner and Β£315 for the first child, plus Β£200 for each additional child, held in savings for at least 28 consecutive days before the application.
However, if your employer certifies on the Certificate of Sponsorship that they will maintain your family, the maintenance requirement is waived.
Student dependants
Students can only bring dependants in limited circumstances under the current UK immigration rules. In most cases, the main applicant must be studying a postgraduate research course, a PhD, or another doctoral qualification lasting at least 9 months at a higher education institution with a track record of compliance. Certain government-sponsored students on courses lasting longer than 6 months may also qualify to bring dependants.
If eligible, student dependants must usually demonstrate maintenance funds held for a consecutive 28-day period before the application.
The required maintenance is usually calculated for up to 9 months. The exact amount depends on the location of the student’s education provider and the length of the course.
Family visa dependants
Spouses and partners applying under the family visa route must meet the specific financial requirement. The sponsor must earn at least Β£29,000 per year. This is a separate route from other dependant applications and has its own dedicated rules. Read our full spouse visa financial requirement guide for a complete breakdown.
Global talent and innovator founder dependants
There is no specific salary threshold or maintenance fund requirement for global talent or innovator founder dependants. However, you must demonstrate that you can support your family financially without recourse to public funds.
Health and care worker dependants
The Health and Care Worker route follows similar dependant rules to the Skilled Worker route. However, salary requirements depend on the specific occupation code and applicable NHS pay band or immigration salary rules.
Work rights for UK dependants in 2026
Most UK dependants have broad work rights. However, the specific rights depend on the main applicant’s visa category.
| Main applicant’s visa | Dependant’s work rights |
|---|---|
| Skilled worker | Can work in most jobs, with some restrictions on certain public-funded roles |
| Global talent | Full work rights in any role for any employer |
| Scale-up visa | Full work rights after the main applicant’s 6-month period |
| Innovator founder | Full work rights |
| Student (degree level) | Up to 20 hours per week during term time; full-time in vacations |
| Graduate visa | Full work rights |
| Health and care worker | Can work in most roles |
However, some restrictions still apply. For example, dependants generally cannot work as professional sportspersons or coaches, and they cannot access public funds.
Study rights for UK dependants
Most UK dependants can study freely in the UK during their visa period. However, if a dependant wants to pursue a long course of study, such as a full university degree, they may need to switch to a student visa in their own right.
In addition, children of visa holders are entitled to access state education in the UK. Therefore, enrolling children in local schools does not require any special visa permission beyond their dependant status.
UK dependent visa application process
The application process depends on whether your dependant is joining you from abroad or switching status within the UK.
Applying from outside the UK
If your family member is currently overseas, they apply for entry clearance, which is permission to enter the UK as a dependant. The steps are:
- Complete the online application on the gov.uk portal and select the dependant route matching the main applicant’s visa
- Pay the application fee and IHS
- Book a biometrics appointment at a visa application centre in the applicant’s country
- Upload or submit supporting documents
- Await the decision, as processing times vary by country and visa route
Applying from within the UK
If your family member is already in the UK on another visa, they may be able to switch to dependant status from within the UK. However, not all visa types permit an in-country switch. Confirm eligibility before submitting.
The in-country process is broadly the same: online application, biometrics at a UKVCAS centre, and document upload through the portal.
Applying at the same time as the main applicant
In most cases, dependants can apply at the same time as the main applicant, even if applying from different countries. This is the most efficient approach for families applying together.
Documents required for a UK dependant visa application
A complete document pack is essential. Here is what you typically need:
Identity documents
- Valid passport for each dependant
-
Biometric Residence Permit (if applicable) or evidence of UK immigration status/eVisa
Relationship evidence for a partner
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate
- For unmarried partners: evidence of 2 years of cohabitation, including joint tenancy agreements, utility bills in both names, joint bank account statements, and correspondence addressed to both at the same address
Relationship evidence for children
- Birth certificate showing the child’s full name and both parents’ names
- Adoption order if applicable
- Written consent from the non-accompanying parent unless sole parental responsibility applies
Main applicant’s documents
- Copy of main applicant’s current visa or leave to remain
- Certificate of Sponsorship reference number for work visa dependants
- Proof of employment, salary, or student enrolment
Maintenance evidence
- Bank statements for the required 28-day consecutive period
- Employer letter confirming maintenance if applicable
Accommodation evidence
- Tenancy agreement or mortgage statement for UK accommodation
UK dependant visa fees in 2026
Fees vary by route and duration. Each dependent pays the same fee as the main applicant in most cases.
| Visa route | Fee per dependant (up to 3 years) | Fee per dependant (over 3 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled worker dependent | Β£819 | Β£1,618 |
| Student dependant | Β£558 | Β£558 |
| Global talent dependent | Β£766 | Β£766 |
Immigration Health Surcharge The IHS applies to most dependent visa applicants at Β£1,035 per year for adults. Student dependants pay Β£776 per year.
Therefore, the total cost for a family of three, which is the main applicant plus partner and one child, on a 5-year skilled worker visa.
As a result, budgeting carefully for the full family cost and not just the main applicant is essential before applying.
How long does a UK dependant visa take?
Processing times vary by country of application and visa route. As a general guide:
- From outside the UK: most straightforward applications are decided within 3 to 8 weeks
- From within the UK on standard service: up to 8 weeks
- Priority service: 5 working days for an additional Β£500 per applicant, available on most in-country routes
- Super priority service: next working day for an additional Β£1,000 per applicant
In addition, biometrics appointment availability varies by country. In some locations, appointment waiting times add several weeks to the overall timeline. Therefore, apply as early as possible, particularly if school terms, employment start dates, or travel plans are time-sensitive.
How long does the UK dependant visa last?
The dependant’s visa is linked to the main applicant’s visa. Therefore, the dependant is granted leave for the same duration as the main applicant, or until any other condition applies, such as a child turning 18.
When the main applicant extends their visa, the dependant must also apply to extend their leave. Extensions are not automatic. In addition, if the main applicant’s visa is curtailed or revoked, the dependant’s leave is also affected.
Therefore, always include your dependants’ applications when you apply to renew your own visa. Missing a dependant’s extension leaves them without valid leave to remain.
Can UK dependants apply for ILR?
Yes. Dependants who have lived in the UK for the qualifying period, which is typically 5 years, can apply for indefinite leave to remain alongside the main applicant. The dependant must meet the same continuous residence requirements.
In addition, a child born in the UK to parents who are both settled may have an automatic entitlement to British citizenship, which is separate from the dependant visa process.
For more information on the ILR process and timelines, read our guide on how long ILR takes in 2026.
Common mistakes in UK dependant visa applications
Many dependant visa applications run into avoidable problems. The most frequent errors include:
- Insufficient relationship evidence for unmarried partners – 2 years of cohabitation must be clearly evidenced with multiple document types
- Forgetting to apply for children – children are not automatically included in a parent’s application
- Maintenance funds not held for the full 28-day period – funds that appear and disappear raise serious concerns with the Home Office
- Not applying for the dependant’s extension at the same time as the main applicant – the dependant’s leave lapses if the extension is missed
- Wrong visa route selected – applying as a family visa dependant when the rules require a skilled worker dependant application
- Non-English documents without certified translations – a straightforward but common oversight
As a result, a thorough review of every dependant’s application before submission prevents most of these problems.
How LawSentis can help with your UK dependant visa application
LawSentis is regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) at Level 3, which is the highest level of authorisation in the UK. We help families across all visa routes bring their loved ones to the UK, from straightforward skilled worker dependant applications to complex cases involving unmarried partners, parental consent disputes, and families applying from multiple countries.
Our team can:
- Confirm which dependant route applies to your specific circumstances
- Advise on the financial requirements for your visa category
- Prepare a complete and accurate document pack for every family member
- Submit all applications together to minimise delays
- Advise on extension applications and the path to ILR
- Handle complex cases involving relationship evidence, consent disputes, or previous refusals
We also advise on the full range of family immigration routes. Read our guides on UK family visas, the spouse visa financial requirement, and the child dependent visa for more information.
Book a consultation with LawSentis today. We will assess your family’s situation and guide you through every step of the UK dependant visa process.
Frequently asked questions
What is a UK dependant visa?
A UK dependant visa allows the spouse, partner, or dependent children of a UK visa holder to join or remain with them in the UK. Dependants apply under the same visa route as the main applicant. The rules and eligibility vary depending on the lead applicant’s visa category.
Who counts as a dependant for a UK visa?
Spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners in a relationship of at least 2 years, and dependent children under 18 are the main categories. Extended family members such as parents and siblings generally cannot apply as dependants under standard work and study visa routes.
Do dependants need to prove financial maintenance?
Yes. Most dependant applications require evidence that the family can be maintained without recourse to public funds. The specific requirement varies by visa route. Some routes require a set amount in savings for 28 days, while others require the main applicant to meet a minimum income threshold.
How long does the dependant visa last?
The dependant’s visa is linked to the main applicant’s visa and is granted for the same duration. Extensions are not automatic. The dependant must apply to extend their leave when the main applicant renews theirs.
Can dependants apply for ILR?
Yes. After 5 years of continuous qualifying residence, dependants can apply for indefinite leave to remain alongside the main applicant.
Do children need their own separate application?
Yes. Every child must make their own individual application. Children are not automatically included in a parent’s or main applicant’s visa. In addition, parental consent from the non-accompanying parent is required in most cases.
What happens if the main applicant’s visa is refused or revoked?
If the main applicant’s visa is refused, dependent applications linked to it will also be refused. If a visa is revoked after entry, the dependant’s leave is also affected. Seek professional advice immediately if the main applicant faces any visa issues.
Can I include my dependants in the same application as my own visa?
Yes. In most cases, you can apply for your dependants at the same time as your own application, even if applying from different countries. This is generally the most efficient approach.
Note:
This article is for general information only. Immigration rules change frequently. Always seek advice from an IAA-regulated immigration adviser before making any application.
LawSentis is regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) at Level 3. Contact us for professional advice.