Studying in the UK is a life-changing experience, and you may want your family to share it with you. The rules for bringing your partner and children (known as ‘dependants’) are very specific and have recently changed. Navigating the application process for your loved ones requires careful preparation to ensure you can all be together in the UK.
Our team of immigration experts specialises in dependent applications. We provide comprehensive support to families, ensuring your applications are linked correctly and meet all the strict financial and relationship requirements for a successful outcome.
Eligibility: Can You Bring Your Family to the UK?
The eligibility for bringing dependants is now linked to the level and type of your course. This is a recent and critical rule change.
You are only eligible to bring your partner and children if you are:
- A government-sponsored student on a course lasting longer than 6 months.
- A full-time student on a postgraduate course that is 9 months or longer, and the course is one of the following:
- A PhD or other doctorate degree (RQF level 8).
- A research-based higher degree (for example, a Master’s by Research).
Important: Due to rule changes effective from 1 January 2024, students on taught Master’s courses are generally no longer eligible to bring dependants.
Who Qualifies as a Dependant?
A dependant can be:
- Your husband, wife, or civil partner.
- Your unmarried partner (you must prove you have been in a durable, cohabiting relationship).
- Your child under 18 years old.
You must provide official evidence of your relationship, such as a marriage certificate for your partner or a birth certificate for your child.
The Financial Requirement for Your Dependants
Your partner and children must prove they have enough money to support themselves in the UK. This is in addition to the funds you need for your own tuition fees and living costs.
How Much Money Do They Need?
Each dependant must have a set amount of funds available, calculated for a period of up to nine months.
- For courses in London: £845 per month, per dependant (total of £7,605).
- For courses outside London: £680 per month, per dependant (total of £6,120).
The Critical 28-Day Rule
Just like with your own student visa, the required funds for your dependants must have been held in a bank account for at least 28 consecutive days. The end date of this period must be within 31 days of their visa application date.
Our experts will meticulously check your family’s financial documents to ensure they meet this strict rule, avoiding a common reason for refusal.
Applying for a Dependant Visa: A Step-by-Step Guide
Your family must complete their own separate online applications, but they will be linked to yours.
- Application Forms: They must use the specific online forms for a ‘partner’ or ‘child’ of a Student.
- Your Application Number: They will need your unique application number (a GWF or UAN) to link their applications to yours.
- Identity Verification: Just like you, they will either use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app or attend an appointment at a visa application centre (VAC) to provide their biometric information.
- Fees: Each dependant must pay the £524 visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
Children Born in the UK
If you have a child while you are studying in the UK, they are not automatically a British citizen. To travel in and out of the UK with them, you must apply for a Dependant Visa for them from within the UK. You will need their full UK birth certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Dependant Visas
Q: How long will my family’s visa be valid for?
A: If their applications are successful, their visas will be granted with the same end date as your Student Visa.
Q: Can my partner work in the UK?
A: Yes, the dependant partner of a Student is generally permitted to work in the UK with very few restrictions.
Q: What if my family is already in the UK on another visa?
A: They may be able to switch to a Dependant Visa from within the UK, provided they are not on a visitor visa or another short-term route. They must apply before their current visa expires.
Ensure Your Family Can Join You – Let Our Experts Help
Bringing your family to the UK involves complex, interlinked applications where one mistake can affect everyone. Our experienced advisors manage the entire process for you and your dependants.
- We ensure eligibility under the new, stricter rules.
- We conduct a full financial document check for the entire family.
- We manage and link all online applications to ensure they are processed together.
About the Author:
Farzad Ghods is an international lawyer specialising in UK immigration law. He is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Immigration Advisors Authority (IAA) in the United Kingdom, and is also a member of the Iran Bar Association. He brings over fourteen years of professional legal experience to his practice.