Foreign nationals who are the immediate relatives of a UK visa holder are able to enter the UK on a dependent visa.
Our experienced solicitors are here to guide you through the eligibility criteria and application process. Call us today at 02033939272 for expert advice and support.
To visit the UK, a dependent visa UK is necessary for immediate family members living abroad. Depending on the type of visa, holders can bring dependent family members to the UK. Some of these visas include employment, study, business, and ancestry visas.
A PBS Dependant visa and a Dependant visa are mentioned in the immigration regulations. The main goal of both visas is to let family members who rely on the main visa holder join them in the UK. Points-based visa holders (e.g., those on work visas like the Skilled Worker visa) can bring their family members to the UK on PBS Dependent visas.
To apply for a dependant visa, you must be the dependent of an individual who holds one of the following types of visas:
Keep in mind that you may not be able to bring your dependents to the UK on a work or study visa. We advise getting in touch with our solicitors for clarification if you have any doubts regarding your eligibility. A “dependant” is someone who is financially dependent on the primary visa holder, such as a spouse, child, or partner.
One of the following conditions must be met in order for a spouse to be eligible for a partner visa:
A child dependant visa requires the applicant to be either under the age of 18 or, if they are 16 or older, to be considered a dependent of the primary visa holder. Someone who is dependent must:
In addition to dependant visas for children and partners, close relatives can also be brought to the UK on the Adult Dependant Relative visa if the UK resident has either UK citizenship or indefinite leave to remain (ILR).
In 2024, the UK dependant visa will operate under new regulations. International students wishing to bring their dependents to the UK will be subject to stricter regulations starting in January 2024, unless they are enrolled in a PhD or postgraduate research program.
Additionally, starting March 11, 2024, care workers and senior care workers will not be able to bring dependents with them.
The standard criteria for a dependent visa to the UK are:
The particular dependent visa UK requirements will vary depending on the type of visa held by the sponsor, or primary visa holder. This is due to the fact that dependant visas are offered under numerous immigration categories.
The Home Office must be convinced that your relationship is real before granting you a Dependent visa UK, which allows you to enter the UK.
For instance, if you want to bring your spouse or partner to the UK, this could be in the form of a legally recognised marriage or civil partnership certificate. In order to be suitable for this visa, marriage, and civil partnerships must be legally recognised in the UK.
If you are not married, you need to show that you have been together for at least two years with your partner through convincing documentation. This could come in the form of joint utility bills or agreements for rentals.
If you’re applying for a Tier 2 Dependent visa for a child under 18, you need to show evidence that the child relies on you, your partner, or your spouse. This is because only family members who depend on you can qualify for this visa.
Holders of Dependent visa UK are not eligible to receive any benefits because they do not have access to government funds in the UK.
Therefore, when you arrive in the UK, you will have to show sufficient evidence that your family member there will be able to support you financially during your visit (or that you have access to such funds).
The following are the minimal financial requirements:
It will be your responsibility to prove that you or a member of your family has access to these funds for 28 of the 31 days before the date on which you apply for the visa. You can accomplish this by submitting a current, recent copy of your bank statement.
Be aware that if either of the following holds true, you won’t be required to present documentation proving you meet the financial requirements:
Dependant visas are available for children if:
A child is eligible to apply for UK Dependant visa with a sole parent if:
To qualify for a Dependant Visa, a family must be able to provide enough for itself, without relying on government funds.
There are a lot of documents that dependent visa applicants need to submit. Please note that the specific documents required will vary based on the main applicant’s visa category and the nature of your relationship with them. Here are some of the documents or pieces of information you might need to give (please keep in mind that this list is not complete):
In order to avoid application delays or rejection, it is crucial that you submit all of the necessary documentation to UKVI. Ask one of our immigration lawyers to carefully review your paperwork before you submit it to ensure you have all you need to support your application for a UK dependent visa.
The steps you need to take to get a Dependant visa UK will depend on the type of visa the main visa user has. To apply for a dependent visa in the UK, you must follow these main steps:
Within eight weeks, you should hear back from the UK immigration office regarding your dependent visa application.
Your dependent’s visa fee is the same as the main applicant’s. In addition, there is an annual fee for immigration health that is £1035 for adults and £776 for children. The fees for Skilled Worker dependents are as follows:
Category | Duration | Type | Fee (£) |
Skilled Worker Dependant | 3 years | Entry Clearance | 713 |
Skilled Worker (Immigration Salary List) | 3 years | Entry Clearance | 551 |
Skilled Worker Dependant | 5 years | Entry Clearance | 1,420 |
Skilled Worker (Immigration Salary List) | 5 years | Entry Clearance | 1,084 |
Skilled Worker Dependant | 3 years | Leave to Remain | 827 |
Skilled Worker (Immigration Salary List) | 3 years | Leave to Remain | 551 |
Skilled Worker Dependant | 5 years | Leave to Remain | 1,636 |
Skilled Worker (Immigration Salary List) | 5 years | Leave to Remain | 1,084 |
The processing time for a dependent visa application from outside the UK could be three weeks beginning on the date of the biometric appointment.
The application can be sent using the fast service for an extra fee, which usually speeds up the decision process to 5 working days.
Within the UK, the current standard for service is 8 weeks from the date of the appointment.
You might pay more for faster and ultra-priority services. A decision can be made in as little as five business days with the priority service, and in as little as twenty-four hours with the super-priority. Keep in mind that the prioritised services might not be available when you apply.
It is common practice to grant dependent visas for the same period of time as the main visa holder’s permission. The Dependant visa will also be valid for two years if the main visa user has a two-year visa.
Dependant visa holders have a lot of freedom in terms of live, work, stud, and travel. Importantly, dependents can work in the UK without sponsorship and even switch jobs or employers without obtaining approval from the Home Office.
Those in the UK on a dependent visa are unable to apply for benefits or other forms of public funding.
In most cases, dependent visa holders can apply to settle in the UK when the primary visa holder receives indefinite permission to remain (ILR), which typically occurs after 5 years of continuous residency.
You can’t apply for ILR if you and your partner aren’t still in a committed relationship and plan to stay that way. Additionally, they need to be able to financially support themselves while in the UK.
Children cannot be married, in a civil union, or leading an independent life;
You can stay permanently in the UK with ILR and never have to apply for another visa, which is just one of the many perks of this immigration option. Holding ILR also makes it feasible to seek for British citizenship after one year.
If you need assistance with your Dependant visa application, reach out to one of our knowledgeable immigration solicitors at 02033939272.
If you are looking to join your spouse, partner, or parent in the UK, applying for a Dependant Visa is the ideal route. This visa allows dependants of skilled workers, students, or others on eligible visas to reunite and live together in the UK.
At Rees Clayton Solicitors, we specialise in providing tailored support for Dependant Visa applications. Our team of highly skilled and knowledgeable immigration solicitors has an exceptional track record of helping clients successfully navigate the UK visa system.
We provide comprehensive support by guiding you through completing the application form, ensuring every detail is accurate and fully compliant with UK visa requirements. Additionally, we assist in compiling and organising the necessary supporting documents to present the strongest case possible for your visa approval. Once your visa is approved, we also offer guidance for a smooth transition to the UK, including practical advice on settling in.
Don’t let the complexity of the visa process hold you back from reuniting with your loved ones. Contact Rees Clayton Solicitors for expert guidance and comprehensive support for your UK Dependant Visa application.
Call us now at 02033939272 or reach out online to learn more about our services and how we can help you.
This visa allows individuals to join or accompany family members who already hold a valid visa to live in the UK.
English proficiency is not required to acquire a dependant visa. But you need to be able to speak English well and pass the Life in the UK exam before you can apply for settlement.
Anyone holding a Dependant Visa in the UK is legally allowed to work. They have the freedom to be self-employed; however, specific restrictions apply to certain professions. For instance, working as a professional athlete or a dentist in training is subject to particular regulations that must be followed.
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