Uk-Dependant Visa

Who can apply for a dependent visa?

You can apply for a Dependent visa UK if you are a dependent of a person on a UK work, Study Visa, business visa, or ancestry visa. A ‘dependent’ refers to a partner/spouse or child of the main visa holder.

Partners must either be married or in a civil partnership with the main visa holder, or they must have been living together for 2 or more years.

To apply for a child dependent visa, children must be under 18 years, or if 16 years or older, they must be dependent on the main visa holder. Being dependent means that they:

• are not living an independent life (i.e., not married, in a civil partnership, or have children)
• live with the main visa holder (unless they attend boarding school or university)
• are financially supported by the main visa holder

In addition to Dependent visas for children and partners, under the Adult Dependent Relative visa scheme, it is possible to bring elderly members to the UK if the UK resident has indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or UK citizenship.

Financial Requirments

Dependents who apply for a visa must have ample funds to meet the cost of living in the UK. It is £680 per month for which the visa is valid, up to a maximum of 9 months. That is a total of £6,120 per dependent if the visa is granted for a period of 9 months or more (9 x £680).

A bank statement or bank letter can be required to satisfy this requirement, and the funds must be kept in the name of the student or the name of the spouse/partner. If the UK Student Visa holder has an official sponsor that covers the living expenses of any dependent, a letter from the sponsor stating this may be submitted to meet the financial criteria.

How to apply for a UK Dependant visa

A dependent can choose to apply for the visa either within or outside the UK.

The documentation required for the Dependent Visa depends on the route you are applying through. Typically, the documents required include:

• Passport & travel history
• Background documentation
• Spouse/partner documentation including marriage certificate
• Other proof of relationship
• Income proof of sponsor to show adequate finances
• Completed application & consulate fees
• English language skills (not essential for elderly parents you are caring for, based on documents you provide)
• If calling your child, they must be under the age of 18 at the time of application

Applying from within the UK

Dependents can apply to stay with their family members if they have come to the UK on a family visa. If they have come on another visa, they can switch to a family visa to stay with their spouse, child or parent.

The biometric residence permit or BRP will be sent by courier. You don’t have to collect it. Generally, you’ll get it within 7 to 10 days of getting your ‘decision letter’ from the Home Office saying you should live in the UK. You can make an online application if it fails to arrive.

Applying from the outside the UK

Dependents can apply for a family visa to live with their spouse or partner, child, parent or relative.

To get a biometric residence permit as part of their application, they will need to get their fingerprints and picture taken at a visa processing center.

They would need to obtain their biometric residence permit within 30 days of their arrival date in the UK.

Depending on which country they are in, they may be able to get their visa faster or other services.

How to apply for a UK Dependant visa

The process you will need to follow when applying for a Dependent visa UK will depend on the type of visa held by the main visa holder. The main steps you will need to follow to apply for a Dependent visa UK are as follows:

• Complete and submit the online application form – remember to provide the unique reference number of the main applicant’s application. It is important to use the correct application form – e.g., the form used for PBS dependent children1 differs from that used for PBS dependent partners2.
• Pay the application fee and immigration healthcare surcharge.
• Upload all of the documents required by UKVI to support your application.
• Book and attend a biometric appointment with your nearest UKVCAS or Visa Application Centre (if outside the UK) to have your fingerprints scanned and a photo taken.

In most cases, you can expect to receive a decision on your UK Dependent visa within 8 weeks.

Dependent visa validity and conditions

Dependent visas are typically granted for the same duration as permission given to the main visa holder. For example, if the main visa holder has a 2-year visa, the dependent visa will also be granted for 2 years.

Dependent visa holders enjoy a great deal of flexibility and are able to live, work, study, and travel freely. Importantly, dependents do not require sponsorship to work in the UK and can change jobs and employers without seeking permission from the Home Office.

Dependent visa holders cannot, however, apply for public funds such as benefits while in the UK.