- A Dependant Visa allows the partner and dependent children of a UK visa holder to join or remain with them in the UK.
- Eligibility depends on the main applicant's visa route; not all routes permit dependants.
- There is no separate income threshold for dependants: the main applicant's qualifying salary covers dependant eligibility on most work routes.
- Each dependant must make a separate application and pay the same visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge as the main applicant.
- Children must be under 18 at the time of application in most cases.
Last reviewed: 13 May 2026
The UK dependant visa allows the close family members of a person with a qualifying UK visa to live in the UK for the same period. Rules differ significantly depending on the main applicant's route, and changes since 2023 have restricted dependant rights across student and some other categories. This article covers the core rules applicable in 2026.
Who Counts as a Dependant
Under UK immigration rules, a dependant is typically a spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner (in a relationship akin to marriage for at least 2 years), or a dependent child under 18. Adult dependants, for example elderly parents or adult children, are not routinely permitted under standard work or study routes; they must qualify in their own right under relevant family visa provisions. For children aged 16 or 17, additional requirements apply if they are not living with both parents in the UK or are not applying at the same time as a parent.
Which Visa Routes Permit Dependants
Not all UK visa routes allow dependants. Routes that permit dependants in 2026 include the Skilled Worker Visa, Health and Care Worker Visa, Global Talent Visa, Innovator Founder Visa, Family Visa (children), Student Visa PhD or MRes only (since January 2024), and Graduate Visa.
Routes that do not permit dependants include the Student Visa for taught master's or undergraduate (with narrow exceptions), Seasonal Worker Visa, and most temporary worker routes. The January 2024 changes removed dependant rights for students on taught programmes, which was a significant restriction affecting international students.
Income Proof for Dependants on Work Routes
On most work routes such as the Skilled Worker Visa, there is no separate financial requirement for dependants beyond the main applicant meeting the salary threshold for their own visa. The main applicant's salary, which must meet or exceed 38,700 pounds in the general Skilled Worker case, is sufficient to support both the primary applicant and dependants.
Some routes have additional financial maintenance requirements for dependants. On the Family Visa (Spouse route), each dependent child who is not British or settled adds 3,800 pounds for the first child and 2,400 pounds for subsequent children to the income requirement. Dependants who apply from outside the UK may be asked to provide their own financial evidence as part of their application.
Documents Required for a Dependant Visa Application
Each dependant must submit their own application. Standard supporting documents for all dependants include a valid passport or travel document, proof of relationship to the main applicant (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.), the main applicant's current visa or BRP details (BRP number or share code), and evidence the main applicant continues to hold a qualifying visa.
For a partner dependant: marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate, or evidence of cohabitation if applying as an unmarried partner (2+ years of joint bank statements, utility bills, correspondence). For a child dependant: birth certificate naming both parents, evidence of consent from the absent parent if applicable, and evidence the child is under 18 at the date of application.
Application Process and Fees
Dependants apply separately using the same visa category as the main applicant. Applications are made online on GOV.UK. As of May 2026, application fees match those of the main applicant's route. For Skilled Worker dependants: 719 pounds for up to 3 years, 1,420 pounds for more than 3 years, per person. The Immigration Health Surcharge of 1,035 pounds per year of leave also applies to each dependant. Children under 18 applying on the Student dependant route pay a reduced IHS rate of 388 pounds per year.
Work and Study Rights for Dependants
On most routes, dependants have the right to work without restriction. There is no requirement to seek permission separately. Dependants of Skilled Worker Visa holders, for example, can take up any employment including self-employment. Dependants can also study in the UK. If a dependant child wishes to attend a school or university, no additional visa is required beyond the dependant leave already granted.
Extending and Settling as a Dependant
Dependant leave is typically granted for the same period as the main applicant's visa. When the main applicant extends their visa, dependants must also apply to extend at the same time or separately before their current leave expires. After meeting the 5-year continuous residence requirement on most qualifying routes, dependants can apply for ILR alongside or after the main applicant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dependants work in the UK?
Dependants on most work visa routes such as Skilled Worker have unrestricted work rights. They do not need a separate work visa. There is no restriction on employment type or hours.
Do dependants need to show their own funds?
On most work routes, the main applicant's qualifying salary is sufficient. On Family Visa routes, additional income is required for each dependent child who is not British or settled. Specific amounts are set out in the Immigration Rules.
Can children over 18 apply as dependants?
Generally no. Children must be under 18 at the time of application on most routes. Adult children must qualify in their own right under a separate visa route.
What if a child is born in the UK after the parent arrives on a visa?
A child born in the UK is not automatically a British citizen unless one parent is British or settled at the time of birth. If neither parent is settled, the child requires their own leave to remain, usually obtained by applying on the Family (child) route.
Do dependants need to pass an English language test?
Dependants applying on most work routes do not need to demonstrate English language proficiency. Dependants applying on the Family Visa route as a partner must meet the A2 English language requirement.
How We Verified This Article
Content was verified against the Home Office dependant visa guidance on GOV.UK, Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules (family members), Appendix Skilled Worker (dependants), and the January 2024 policy statements restricting student dependants. Fee figures were checked against the UKVI fee schedule current as of May 2026.
