Dependant Visas

Many UK visa routes allow the main visa holder to bring close family members with them as dependants. A dependant's permission is linked to the main applicant's: it is usually granted to end on the same date, and it depends on the main applicant keeping their own permission.

In the last few years the government has closed or restricted dependant eligibility on several popular routes, so it is important to check the current position before making plans.

Who counts as a dependant

On the main work routes, such as the Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visas, dependants are generally:

• A husband, wife or civil partner.
• An unmarried partner, where you have been in a relationship for at least 2 years (living together, or with evidence of ongoing commitment).
• A child under 18, including a child born in the UK.
• A child aged 18 or over who already has permission as your dependant.

Children must usually live with the main applicant (unless they are in full-time education away from home) and must not be married. Relationships must be genuine and subsisting.

Maintenance

Dependants usually need to show they can be supported without public funds. For Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker dependants, the amounts are currently £285 for a partner, £315 for the first child and £200 for each additional child. These are not needed if you have been in the UK for 12 months or more, or if the sponsor certifies maintenance. Other routes have their own figures.

Restrictions on bringing dependants

Students

Students can bring dependants only if they are government-sponsored on a course longer than 6 months, or studying full-time at postgraduate level on a course of at least 9 months. For courses starting on or after 1 January 2024, the postgraduate course must be a PhD, another doctorate or a research-based higher degree. Taught master's students can no longer bring dependants.

Care workers and senior care workers

Since 11 March 2024, care workers and senior care workers cannot bring dependants unless they have been continuously employed as a care worker or senior care worker on the Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker route since before that date.

Medium-skilled roles

Since 22 July 2025, workers in medium-skilled roles (for example jobs on the Temporary Shortage List or Immigration Salary List below graduate level) generally cannot bring dependants, unless they have been continuously employed in a medium-skilled job on the route since before 22 July 2025.

Exceptions

Depending on the circumstances, the care worker and medium-skilled restrictions do not apply to:

• A child born in the UK.
• A child where the main applicant is the only living parent or has sole responsibility (in-UK applications).
• A child whose other parent is also a sponsored worker affected by the same restriction (in-UK applications).

Some further transitional provisions may apply, for example for prison officers applying in the UK.

Other family routes

If your family member is British or settled rather than on a work or study visa, the relevant route is usually a family visa under Appendix FM, for example the spouse, unmarried partner or child routes. There are also separate routes for a parent of a child in the UK and for adult dependent relatives who need long-term care.

Documents and evidence commonly needed

• Passports and the main applicant's visa details.
• Marriage, civil partnership or birth certificates.
• For unmarried partners, evidence of the 2-year relationship.
• Bank statements for maintenance, where required.
• For children with one parent in the UK, evidence of sole responsibility or the other parent's consent where relevant.

How long dependants can stay

Dependants are usually granted permission in line with the main applicant and can extend when the main applicant extends. Depending on the route, partners and children may be able to apply for settlement once they meet the requirements. Dependants on most work routes can work and study.

Common problems we help with

• Checking whether the main applicant's job or course allows dependants at all.
• Establishing continuous employment before the cut-off dates.
• Children aged over 18, or children with one parent outside the UK.
• Unmarried partners with limited evidence of living together.
• Switching family members into the right route after a change in the main applicant's status.

How Stonebridge can help

We check whether dependants are allowed on the main applicant's route, assess the relationship and maintenance evidence, prepare and submit applications for the whole family, and advise on alternatives where the rules do not allow a dependant application.

To check your family's options, book a consultation.