Dependent visa UK requirements depend on the main applicant’s visa route. A dependant needs a qualifying main visa holder, proof of the relationship and enough funds. The rules differ for Skilled Worker, Student and Ancestry visa holders, and the official starting point is the Skilled Worker partner and children page on GOV.UK.
This page covers the UK dependent visa requirements for those three routes. The dependant visa fee is not published in the sources we checked, so confirm it with the Home Office.
Eligibility and Entry Requirements at a Glance
- Skilled Worker: your partner and children under 18 can apply as dependants. If you are unmarried, you must have been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply.
- Student: only some students can bring dependants, namely a government-sponsored student on a course lasting longer than 6 months, or a full-time postgraduate student (on research degrees for courses starting from 1 January 2024). See Student visa family members.
- Ancestry: holders can bring a partner or child. See the Ancestry visa dependants page.
Passport and Travel Document Requirements
The Home Office sets the passport or travel document requirements for each dependant. Check them on the GOV.UK page for the main applicant’s route.
Visa and Supporting Document Requirements
You must prove your relationship to the main applicant. For unmarried partners that means showing you have lived together in a relationship for at least 2 years. The full document list depends on the route, so use the GOV.UK guidance or the Student and Ancestry pages above.
A TB test may apply if you are coming for 6 months or more and have lived in a listed country. See the TB test guidance.
Financial, Health and Entry Conditions
For Skilled Worker dependants the funds figures are £285 for a partner, £315 for the first child and £200 for each additional child. The money must be held for 28 days, and day 28 must be within 31 days of you or the dependant applying. Confirm current figures on GOV.UK.
Each person joining pays the visa fee, and the Immigration Health Surcharge for student dependants is £776 per year. See the Immigration Health Surcharge page. The dependant visa fee amounts are not stated in the sources we checked, so confirm them before you apply.
How to Prepare or Apply
- Check that the main applicant’s visa route allows dependants.
- Gather proof of your relationship.
- Check your funds have been held for the required period.
- Use the GOV.UK guidance for the route that applies and confirm the application steps with the Home Office.
Who applies, and from where, depends on the route, so confirm this with the Home Office before you start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can every UK visa holder bring dependants?
No. It depends on the route. Skilled Worker and Ancestry holders can bring a partner or children, but only some Student visa holders can.
What if we are not married?
On the Skilled Worker route, an unmarried partner qualifies if you have lived together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply.
How old can a child dependant be?
On the Skilled Worker route, children under 18 can be dependants.
How much money do dependants need to show?
On the Skilled Worker route: £285 for a partner, £315 for the first child and £200 for each additional child, held for 28 days.
What is the Immigration Health Surcharge?
A charge paid as part of the application. For students and their dependants it is £776 per year.
Which students can bring dependants?
Government-sponsored students on courses longer than 6 months, and full-time postgraduates on research degrees starting from 1 January 2024.
Confirm everything with the Home Office (UK Visas and Immigration) on GOV.UK before you apply. See visa requirements and browse all travel and immigration requirements.