TL;DR
Partners and children of Skilled Worker visa holders can apply as dependants. This article covers eligibility, fees, evidence of relationship, work and study rights, and the process for applying together or joining later.
Key facts
- Eligible dependants are spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner (2 years cohabitation), and children under 18 (with limited extension for older children already in the UK).
- Each dependant pays the full application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge for the visa length.
- Dependants have full work rights with limited exceptions (no professional sport coaching).
- Dependants can apply alongside the main applicant or join later as dependants of someone already on the visa.
Who counts as a dependant
The main categories: spouse (married), civil partner (legally registered civil partnership), unmarried partner (with at least 2 years of cohabitation evidenced by joint accommodation, bills, bank statements). Children under 18 at the date of application are eligible; children turning 18 during the visa keep their dependant status until the visa ends.
Older children (18+) already in the UK as dependants can be included on extension applications. New applications for those over 18 are not eligible. Parents and siblings cannot be dependants under the Skilled Worker route.
Evidence of relationship
Spouses provide marriage certificate (with translation if not in English). Civil partners provide the civil partnership certificate. Unmarried partners provide evidence of 2 years cohabitation: joint tenancy or mortgage, joint bills, joint bank statements, formal correspondence to both at the same address.
Children provide birth certificates showing the parent-child relationship. Where one biological parent is not the visa applicant, evidence of sole parental responsibility or consent from the other parent is required. Adopted children provide adoption certificates.
Fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge
Each dependant pays the application fee at the same rate as the main applicant. The IHS is for the full visa length per dependant. The Health and Care Worker dependant exemption from IHS applies where the main applicant is on Health and Care Worker.
Total cost for a family of four (two adults, two children) can be substantial. Some employers reimburse dependant fees as part of relocation packages; others do not. Confirm with the sponsor before assuming.
Work and study rights
Adult dependants have full work rights in the UK with the exception of working as professional sport coaches. They can be employed, self-employed, take temporary work, or not work at all. Dependants of Student visa holders are more restricted.
Child dependants have full access to UK schools and (where applicable) university on the same basis as British and settled children. Children dependants do not pay the international fee at university while still on dependant visas (subject to the Ordinarily Resident Test).
Applying together or joining later
Dependants can apply at the same time as the main applicant or join later, as long as the main applicant is currently on the route. Joining later applications are made from outside the UK or, where in-country, by switching to the dependant route.
Recent policy changes have restricted Student and care worker dependant routes. Skilled Worker dependants are not currently restricted in the same way; check the rules at the time of application for the most up-to-date position.
Path to settlement
Dependants on a Skilled Worker visa can apply for ILR after 5 years of continuous lawful residence, alongside the main applicant or independently. The 5-year clock runs from the dependant visa start date.
Where the relationship ends (divorce, partnership breakdown), the dependant's visa is at risk of curtailment. Switching to another route in-country may be possible (Skilled Worker in own right, family route under a new sponsor) but the 5-year clock may reset.
Evidence of relationship for dependants
Spouses: marriage certificate from a state authority recognised by the UK. Religious-only marriages without civil registration are not normally sufficient. Where the marriage certificate is in a language other than English, certified translation is required.
Civil partners: civil partnership certificate from the registering authority. Civil partnerships from countries with formal civil partnership regimes are recognised; informal partnerships without civil registration are not.
Unmarried partners: at least 2 years of cohabitation evidence. The standard package: joint tenancy or mortgage, joint utility bills, joint bank statements, formal correspondence to both at the same address. Evidence should cover the full 2 years; gaps can raise questions about whether cohabitation was continuous.
Children: birth certificate showing parent-child relationship. Where the dependant child has a parent not on the application, evidence of sole parental responsibility (court orders, death certificate of other parent) or written consent from the absent parent is required. The Home Office's caseworker guidance covers complex parental responsibility situations.
Fees, IHS and cost planning for family applications
Each dependant pays the application fee at the same rate as the main applicant. For a 5-year Skilled Worker visa, the dependant application fee is the same as the main applicant's fee. Across a family of four, the dependant fees alone can run to £5,000-£6,000.
IHS per dependant: the standard adult rate for adult dependants, the under-18 rate for child dependants. The 2024 IHS increase substantially raised the per-year cost; a family of four on a 5-year visa pays substantial IHS upfront. Health and Care Worker dependants are IHS-exempt where the main applicant is on Health and Care Worker.
Maintenance evidence for dependants: where the sponsor does not certify dependant maintenance on the CoS, each dependant must show maintenance funds at the published rate for that dependant category. The funds must be held for the 28-day window with the closing balance above the threshold every day.
Employer reimbursement: many sponsoring employers cover the main applicant's fees and IHS as part of relocation packages; coverage of dependant fees varies. Confirming the policy with the employer before assuming dependant coverage is essential for budget planning.
Work, study and benefits rights for dependants
Adult dependant work rights: full work rights with limited exceptions (no professional sport coaching on most routes). Dependants can be employed, self-employed, run businesses, or not work at all. The work flexibility makes Skilled Worker dependant status valuable compared with some other visa categories.
Child dependant education: full access to UK state schools on the same basis as British and settled children. Applications for school places are made through the local authority covering the family's postcode. NHS healthcare is also available on the same basis through GP registration and the standard NHS access framework.
Public funds: dependants are subject to the same 'no recourse to public funds' condition as the main applicant. Benefits such as Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Child Benefit are not available to either main applicants or dependants on Skilled Worker visas. Children can attend state school free of charge; the school is not a public fund for visa purposes.
Dependant settlement: child dependants and adult dependants can apply for ILR alongside the main applicant after 5 years of continuous lawful residence. Each has their own application; family applications are typically consolidated for efficiency. The 5-year clock counts continuous residence on qualifying routes.
Joining the main applicant later
Time on the Skilled Worker route counts towards 5 years of continuous lawful residence for ILR under Appendix Skilled Worker, with permitted absences capped at 180 days in any rolling 12-month period. Changes of employer within the route do not reset the clock as long as continuous sponsored employment is maintained.
Switching to Health and Care Worker, Senior or Specialist Worker, or Scale-up routes can preserve the continuous-residence count under Appendix Continuous Residence. Switching to Global Talent (with endorsement at Exceptional Talent level) can shorten total time to settlement to 3 years from the Global Talent switch point.
British citizenship by naturalisation under the British Nationality Act 1981 requires 12 months of ILR (or sooner for spouses of British citizens with 3 years' UK residence), the standard residence test with the absence cap, B1 English (typically met for ILR), Life in the UK test (also typically met for ILR), and the good character requirement assessed under Home Office guidance.
Dependant applications when joining later
Out-of-country applications by dependants: dependants apply from their country of residence with the main applicant's visa already in place. The application is on the dependant route with evidence of the relationship and the main applicant's status.
Documents for joining-later dependants: passport, photograph, evidence of relationship to the main applicant (marriage certificate, birth certificates), the main applicant's BRP or eVisa share code, evidence of accommodation, financial evidence (sponsor's UK income or maintenance funds).
Visa processing for joining-later dependants: standard 3-week service for out-of-country applications; Priority Visa available for 5-working-day target. The dependant's visa is granted to align with the main applicant's visa end date.
Children born after the main applicant's arrival: applications for children born during the visa can be made for them to join the family in the UK. The application is on the dependant route with the child's birth certificate as primary evidence.
Family of children turning 18: children turning 18 during the dependant visa retain dependant status until the visa ends. They cannot be added as new dependants once 18; adult routes apply if continued residence is needed.
Family planning across the Skilled Worker visa years
Family planning across the route: the 5-year route to ILR plus the 12-month wait for naturalisation gives a 6-7 year typical timeline. Family members on the same route progress alongside; coordination across applications is part of the planning.
Children's education timeline: school year alignment, transitions between Key Stages, GCSE and A-Level choices, university applications. The UK education system's structure influences family planning decisions.
Future return to country of origin: many families maintain ties with the country of origin. Property, family members, business interests, and cultural connections influence long-term decisions.
Dual nationality: most countries permit dual nationality with the UK; some require renunciation. The country of origin's position should be confirmed before naturalising as a British citizen.
Healthcare planning: the NHS via the IHS or settled status covers most needs. Private medical insurance is sometimes provided as an employee benefit but is not necessary for most healthcare needs.
Using GOV.UK and official sources effectively
GOV.UK as the primary source: the UK government's single online portal for most public services. Immigration Rules, caseworker guidance, current fees and IHS rates, application forms, and updates are all on GOV.UK. The site is the authoritative reference for any current rule or process.
Subscribing to updates: GOV.UK allows email subscriptions to specific topics including immigration. Updates arrive when guidance is amended or new Statements of Changes are published. Practitioners and engaged applicants commonly subscribe.
Statements of Changes (SoCs): published on GOV.UK as PDF documents. Each SoC has a HC number identifying it; recent SoCs HC 590 of 2023, HC 1496 of 2023, HC 246 of 2024 introduced significant changes. The consolidated Immigration Rules on GOV.UK reflect the current text after all SoCs.
Modernised caseworker guidance: published separately from the Rules. Covers practical application; not binding but highly influential. Updates flow through new versions with effective dates.
ONS, HMRC and other primary data: GOV.UK aggregates data from across government. ONS migration statistics, HMRC tax and customs data, sectoral statistics from departments. The data underlies policy decisions and is publicly accessible.
Where to get help with UK immigration matters
Citizens Advice: a network of independent charities providing free, confidential and impartial advice across the UK. Local Citizens Advice offices handle immigration enquiries at level 1; specialist services in some locations cover more complex matters. The Citizens Advice website (citizensadvice.org.uk) has comprehensive guidance on UK immigration.
Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI): an independent organisation campaigning for the rights of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. JCWI provides advice, advocacy, and policy analysis on immigration matters. Their published guidance covers all major UK routes.
Migrant Help: works with people seeking asylum, victims of human trafficking, and others affected by immigration. Provides advice on UK immigration matters and works with the Home Office on asylum support arrangements.
Right to Remain: provides advice and resources for people navigating the UK immigration system. The Right to Remain Toolkit is a comprehensive online resource covering the main routes and procedures.
Free Movement: a leading immigration law blog providing updates and analysis on UK immigration. The site is widely used by practitioners and informed applicants for current developments.
Specialist immigration solicitors: handle the most complex matters. The Law Society's Find a Solicitor service lists firms specialising in immigration. The Immigration Law Practitioners' Association (ILPA) maintains a directory of member firms.
Disclaimer
This article provides general information about UK immigration, tax and consumer matters and is not legal, financial or tax advice. Rules, fees and thresholds change. Always check GOV.UK and the relevant UK regulator before acting, and consider taking professional advice tailored to individual circumstances.
Frequently asked questions
Can my unmarried partner come with me on a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes, if you can evidence at least 2 years of cohabitation in a relationship akin to marriage. Evidence includes joint tenancy, joint bills, joint bank statements and correspondence to both at the same address.
Can my children attend UK school on a dependant visa?
Yes. Child dependants of Skilled Worker visa holders have full access to UK state schools on the same basis as British and settled children. Applications are made via the local authority.
Can my partner work in the UK as a dependant?
Yes. Adult Skilled Worker dependants have full work rights with the exception of professional sport coaching. They can be employed, self-employed, or take temporary work.
How much does it cost to add a dependant to my Skilled Worker visa?
Each dependant pays the application fee at the same rate as the main applicant plus the Immigration Health Surcharge for the full visa length. Total costs add up significantly for larger families.
Can my parents come with me on a Skilled Worker visa?
No. Parents are not eligible as Skilled Worker dependants. The Adult Dependant Relative route exists but has a high eligibility threshold. Most parents visit on the visitor route for stays of up to 6 months.
Frequently asked questions
Can my unmarried partner come with me on a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes, if you can evidence at least 2 years of cohabitation in a relationship akin to marriage. Evidence includes joint tenancy, joint bills, joint bank statements and correspondence to both at the same address.
Can my children attend UK school on a dependant visa?
Yes. Child dependants of Skilled Worker visa holders have full access to UK state schools on the same basis as British and settled children. Applications are made via the local authority.
Can my partner work in the UK as a dependant?
Yes. Adult Skilled Worker dependants have full work rights with the exception of professional sport coaching. They can be employed, self-employed, or take temporary work.
How much does it cost to add a dependant to my Skilled Worker visa?
Each dependant pays the application fee at the same rate as the main applicant plus the Immigration Health Surcharge for the full visa length. Total costs add up significantly for larger families.
Can my parents come with me on a Skilled Worker visa?
No. Parents are not eligible as Skilled Worker dependants. The Adult Dependant Relative route exists but has a high eligibility threshold. Most parents visit on the visitor route for stays of up to 6 months.
