Dependants: partner & children (all routes)

Eligibility

A partner (married, civil partner, or unmarried living together 2+ years) and children under 18 can usually join a main applicant on a work, talent or study route. Student route restriction (courses starting on or after 1 Jan 2024): only students on a full-time postgraduate course of 9+ months that is a research-based higher degree (e.g. PhD, research master’s), or government-sponsored students on courses over 6 months, can bring dependants. Taught master’s students (e.g. MSc, MBA) cannot.

Key facts (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Money dependants need

• Student dependants: £845/month (London) or £680/month (elsewhere) per dependant, up to 9 months – unless already in the UK 12+ months.
• Skilled Worker, GBM, Temporary Work, Sportsperson, Minister of Religion etc.: Dependant funds (most work routes): £285 for a partner, £315 for one child, £200 for each additional child, held 28 days – unless your A-rated sponsor certifies maintenance.
• Graduate visa dependants: must already be your dependant on your Student visa (no new partners/children added, except a child born in the UK).

Work rights

• Dependants of Skilled Worker, HCW, Graduate, Global Talent and most GBM routes: can work in almost any job (not as a professional sportsperson/coach).
• Student dependants: can work if the main student is on a course of 9+ months and has a dependant-eligible course.

Switching when the main applicant moves on

• Student → Graduate: dependants already on your Student visa can apply with you or later as Graduate dependants.
• Student/Graduate → Skilled Worker: dependants apply as Skilled Worker dependants (fee, IHS £1,035/yr, funds).
• Dependants of Skilled Worker/HCW count time towards ILR alongside the main applicant (5 years).

Partner and children (official)

Your partner and children

Your partner and children may also be able to apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’. They’ll need to complete separate applications.

If your partner or child’s application is successful, their visa will usually end on the same date as yours. If a child’s parents have visas with different expiry dates, the child’s visa will end on the earlier date.

A dependant partner or child is any of the following:

• your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
• your child under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay
• your child over 18 if they currently have permission (‘leave to enter’ or ‘leave to remain’) to be in the UK as your dependant

They’ll need to provide evidence of their relationship to you when they apply.

If you’re the first person in your family to apply, you can get a ‘family linking code’ to connect your applications together. Your family members can enter the same code when they apply.

If you’re a care worker or senior care worker

If your partner or children are inside the UK, they can apply to stay as your dependant if any of the following are true:

• you have been continually employed as a care worker or senior care worker in the UK and on a Skilled Worker visa since before 11 March 2024
• they are your child and they were born in the UK
• they are your child and you’re the only living parent responsible for them
• they are your child and their other parent is also sponsored as a care worker or senior care worker

If your partner or children are outside the UK, they can apply to join you as your dependant if either:

• you have been continually employed as a care worker or senior care worker in the UK and on a Skilled Worker visa since before 11 March 2024
• they are your child and they were born in the UK

If your occupation code is a ‘medium skilled’ job (not care worker or senior care worker)

If your partner or children are inside the UK and your job is listed as ‘medium skilled’, they can apply to stay as your dependant if any of the following are true:

• you’ve been continually employed in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa and in a ‘medium skilled’ job since before 22 July 2025
• they are your child and they were born in the UK
• they are your child and you’re the only living parent responsible for them
• they are your child and their other parent is also sponsored for a job listed as ‘medium skilled’
• they are your child or partner and you’re extending your visa or switching to this visa as a prison officer (code 3314)

If your partner or children are outside the UK, and your job is listed as ‘medium skilled’, they can apply to join you as your dependant if either:

• you’ve been continually employed in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa and in a ‘medium skilled’ job since before 22 July 2025
• they are your child and they were born in the UK

Your partner

You must be able to prove one of the following:

• you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK
• you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply
• you’ve been in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply but you cannot live together, for example because you’re working or studying in different places, or it’s not accepted in your culture

If you’re not living together, you’ll need to prove that you have an ongoing commitment to each other, for example by providing evidence that you:

• communicate regularly with each other
• support each other financially
• care for any children you have together
• spend time together as a couple, for example on holiday or at events

Your child

They must:

• live with you, unless they’re living away from home in full-time education - for example, at boarding school or university
• not be married or in a civil partnership

You’ll need to provide evidence of their address, such as:

• a bank statement
• credit card bills
• driving licence
• NHS registration document
• an official letter from their university or college

Money they need to support themselves

Your partner and children must have a certain amount of money available to support themselves while they’re in the UK.

You - or your partner or child - will need:

• £285 for your partner
• £315 for one child
• £200 for each additional child

Example

You - or your partner or child - would need to have £600 to bring your partner and one child with you to the UK (£285 for your partner and £315 for your child).

You would also need to have £1,270 available to support yourself for your own application.

You - or your partner or child - will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of you or them applying for this visa.

You’ll usually need to show proof of this when they apply, unless either:

• you have all been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months
• your employer can cover your family’s costs during your first month in the UK - this must be confirmed on your certificate of sponsorship

If your partner or child is applying at a different time to you, they’ll only need to prove they have enough money to support themselves if they have been in the UK for less than 1 year.

Apply from outside the UK

Your partner and children must either:

• apply online as your partner outside the UK
• apply online as your child outside the UK

Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee. They must apply before they travel to the UK.

Source: GOV.UK – Your partner and children (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Your partner and children

Your partner and children (‘dependants’) may be able to apply to come to the UK or stay longer in the UK.

You must be one of the following:

• a government-sponsored student starting a course that lasts longer than 6 months
• a full-time student on a postgraduate level course (RQF level 7 or above) that lasts 9 months or longer

If your postgraduate level course starts on or after 1 January 2024, it must be either:

• a PhD or other doctorate (RQF level 8)
• a research-based higher degree

Your dependants

A dependant partner or child is one of the following:

• your husband, wife or civil partner
• your unmarried partner
• your child under 18 years old - including if they were born in the UK during your stay

You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply, for example:

• a marriage or civil partnership certificate for your partner
• a birth certificate for your child

Find out what other documents you can use to prove your relationship.

Your child

You’ll need to prove that your child is both:

• not married or in a civil partnership
• living with you, unless they’re living away from home in full-time education - for example, at boarding school or university

You’ll need to provide 2 of the following documents confirming their address:

• a bank statement
• credit card bills
• driving licence
• NHS registration document
• an official letter from their university or college

If your child pays you rent or upkeep, you’ll need to give details.

Money they need to support themselves

Your partner and child must each have a certain amount of money available to them. This is in addition to the money you must have to support yourself.

How much money they need depends on where you will be studying. They must have either:

• £845 a month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London
• £680 a month (for up to 9 months) for courses outside London

If you’re applying at the same time as your partner or child (you’re applying together as a family), you’ll need to prove you have both money to pay for your course and to support yourself and additional money for each of them.

If your partner or child is applying at a different time to you (they’re applying separately) they only need to prove they have money to support themselves.

You (or your partner or child) must have this money for at least 28 consecutive days. The end date of the 28 day period must be within 31 days of the date they apply for their visa.

If you have a student loan or financial sponsorship, you’ll need to provide evidence of this from your loan or sponsorship company. If your loan does not cover your partner or child, you’ll need to prove you have money to support them instead.

When they do not need to prove they have money to support themselves

Your partner or child does not need to prove they have this money if they’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months.

If you and your partner or child are from a country listed under the ‘differential evidence requirement’ and you’re applying at the same time, they do not need to prove they have money to support themselves.

However, they might be asked to provide this evidence before they get a decision on their application.

If they do need to provide it, they’ll be contacted by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) after they’ve submitted their application.

Apply outside the UK

Your partner and children must either:

• apply online as your partner outside the UK
• apply online as your child outside the UK

They’ll need your application number - you get it when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.

Proving their identity

As part of their application, your partner and children will need to prove their identity.

They’ll either:

• use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan their identity document - they’ll also create or sign into their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
• have their fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre

They’ll be told what they need to do when they apply.

If they need an appointment:

• they’ll need to take their passport with them to the visa application centre (they’ll be able to collect it on the day)
• they may have to travel to get to their nearest centre (this could be in another country)

They may be able to pay to get their visa faster or use other services depending on which country they’re in - check with the visa application centre.

How long they can stay

If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as yours.

Apply inside the UK to extend or switch

Your partner or child can apply to extend or switch their visa either:

• at the same time as you apply to extend or switch your own visa
• at any time before their current visa expires

This includes children who have turned 18 during your stay.

Your partner or child cannot apply to switch in the UK if they have one of the following visas:

• a visit visa
• a short-term student visa
• a Parent of a Child Student visa
• a seasonal worker visa
• a domestic worker in a private household visa

Fees

Each person will need to pay:

• £558 for the visa
• the healthcare surcharge

Source: GOV.UK – Your partner and children (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Your partner and children

If your partner and children joined you in the UK as ‘dependants’ on your current Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa, they can apply to stay as dependants on your Graduate visa.

Your child can also apply if they were born in the UK during your current Student visa, Tier 4 (General) student visa or Graduate visa.

If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as yours.

A dependant is any of the following:

• your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
• your child under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay
• your child over 18 if they currently have permission (‘leave to enter’ or ‘leave to remain’) to be in the UK as your dependant

Your partner

Your partner needs to have been a dependant on your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa to apply. You’ll also need to show that they’re still your partner.

You must be able to prove one of the following:

• you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK
• you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply
• you’ve been in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply but you cannot live together, for example because you’re working or studying in different places, or it’s not accepted in your culture

If you’re not living together, you’ll need to prove that you have an ongoing commitment to each other, for example by providing evidence that you:

• communicate regularly with each other
• support each other financially
• care for any children you have together
• spend time together as a couple, for example on holiday or at events

Your child

Your child must:

• live with you, unless they’re living away from home in full-time education - for example, at boarding school or university
• not be married or in a civil partnership

You’ll need to provide evidence of their address such as:

• a bank statement
• credit card bills
• driving licence
• NHS registration document
• an official letter from their university or college

If your child is under 18

Your child usually needs to have been a dependant on your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa to apply.

They do not need to have been a dependant if both of the following apply:

• they were born while you were in the UK on your current Student visa, Tier 4 (General) student visa, or Graduate visa
• they were born in the UK

You’ll need to provide proof that they’re your child - for example, a UK birth certificate or a special guardianship order from a court.

New dependants may be able to join you from outside the UK if you switch to a different visa, for example a Skilled Worker visa.

If your child is 18 or over

They must have been a dependant on your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa or Graduate visa.

Apply

Your partner and children must either:

• apply online as your partner
• apply online as your child

Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee.

They’ll need to provide a valid passport or other document that shows their identity and nationality.

To prove they’re dependants on your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa, they’ll need to provide their biometric residence permit (BRP) . They can use it for 24 months after the expiry date printed on the card or until 31 December 2026, whichever comes first.

They’ll also need your application number - you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.

If your scholarship or sponsorship provider paid your partner or child’s living costs in the last 12 months, your partner or child will need a letter from the provider approving their Graduate visa application.

Proving their identity

As part of their application, your partner and children will need to prove their identity. How they do this depends on where they’re from and the type of passport or resident permit they have.

They’ll either:

• use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan their identity document - they’ll also create or sign into their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
• have their fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point

They’ll be told what they need to do when they apply.

The UKVCAS service point may need to keep your partner’s and children’s passport and documents while processing their application.

They must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until they get a decision. Their application will be withdrawn if they do.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once they’ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

If their application is successful

They’ll get an eVisa (a digital record of their identity and immigration status).

Their decision email or letter will tell them how to get access to their eVisa. They’ll need to create a UKVI account.

Children born in the UK

If you have a child while you’re in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen.

You must apply for your child’s dependant visa if you want to travel in and out of the UK with them.

You’ll need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.

Source: GOV.UK – Your partner and children (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Processing times and faster decisions (official)

Standard: Same as main route (GOV.UK visa processing times).

• Priority service: +£500, usually a decision within 5 working days (settlement, citizenship and family-from-outside-UK: usually 30 working days).
• Super priority service: +£1,000, usually a decision by the end of the next working day after you prove your identity. Not available for citizenship.
• Availability depends on the route, the country and whether you use a UKVCAS centre or the ID Check app; there is a daily limit. You are told at the point of applying whether it is offered.

Source: GOV.UK – Get a faster decision on your visa or settlement application (checked 31 Oct 2026)

How the application works (official)

1. Check eligibility and gather documents (sections above). Sponsored routes: get your CoS/CAS reference first; endorsed routes: get your endorsement first.
2. Apply online on GOV.UK and pay the fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (if it applies) – IHS.
3. Prove your identity: either the UK Immigration: ID Check app (if offered) or an appointment at a visa application centre (outside the UK) or UKVCAS service point (inside the UK) for fingerprints and photo.
4. Upload documents and wait for the decision. Do not travel or leave the UK before a decision if applying from inside the UK – it can withdraw your application.
5. Your permission is issued as an eVisa in your UKVI account; physical BRPs are no longer issued. Link your passport to it and use share codes to prove your rights – GOV.UK eVisas.

Path to settlement (ILR) and citizenship

Same timing as main applicant on settlement routes (Skilled Worker, HCW, Global Talent etc.).

Citizenship normally needs ILR (or settled status) held for 12 months – or immediately if married to a British citizen – plus the residence, absences, good character, Life in the UK test (£50) and English B1 requirements. See GOV.UK – Settle in the UK and GOV.UK – Citizenship if you have ILR.