UK visa dependant rules are not the same across every immigration route. A partner or child who can join a Skilled Worker may not qualify in the same way if the main applicant is a Student, Graduate, care worker or someone sponsored in a medium-skilled occupation. The practical starting point is always the main visa category, followed by the relationship, child, financial and route-specific requirements.
Dependants normally make separate applications, and their permission will usually end on the same date as the main applicant’s visa.
Who counts as a dependant partner?
A dependant partner is usually a husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner. An unmarried couple generally needs to show that the relationship is similar to a marriage or civil partnership and has existed for at least two years. The relationship must also be genuine and continuing.
Couples do not always have to have lived together for the whole period. Where work, study, culture or another genuine reason kept them apart, evidence can show how the relationship continued. Useful documents may include marriage or civil partnership certificates, joint bills, tenancy records, financial support, travel records and regular communication.
Rules for dependent children
A child dependant visa is usually for a child under 18. Someone aged 18 or over may sometimes continue as a dependant if they previously held permission as a dependent child and are not leading an independent life. Children should not be married or in a civil partnership, and suitable care arrangements must be in place.
In many routes, both parents are normally expected to be applying or already have qualifying status in the UK. Exceptions can apply where one parent is the sole surviving parent, has sole responsibility, or there are serious and compelling reasons. A child born in the UK does not automatically become British simply because the parents hold temporary visas.
Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker dependants
Many Skilled Worker visa holders can bring an eligible partner and children. Dependants on this route can generally work, including self-employment and voluntary work, but cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach. Study is also generally permitted, subject to any applicable ATAS requirement.
Important restrictions apply to care workers and senior care workers. New dependants are generally not permitted unless a specified exception applies. Transitional protection is available in certain cases, including workers who have been continuously employed and sponsored in those roles since before 11 March 2024.
There are also restrictions for some medium-skilled Skilled Worker jobs. Dependants may be allowed where the worker has been continuously sponsored in an eligible medium-skilled role since before 22 July 2025, or another specific exception applies. Checking the occupation code is therefore essential before assuming that a dependant visa UK application is available.
Student and Graduate dependants
Student dependants are limited to specific categories. A Student can generally bring dependants if they are government-sponsored on a course lasting more than six months, or are studying a qualifying full-time postgraduate course lasting at least nine months. For courses starting on or after 1 January 2024, that postgraduate course must normally be a PhD, other doctorate or a research-based higher degree.
The Graduate route is narrower. A partner normally must already have been the person’s dependant on their Student or Tier 4 visa. Children also usually need previous dependant status, although a child born in the UK during the relevant Student or Graduate period can qualify in specified circumstances. A Graduate visa therefore does not usually allow a completely new overseas partner to be added as a dependant.
How much maintenance money is needed?
Financial requirements vary by route. For Skilled Worker dependants, the usual maintenance amounts are £285 for a partner, £315 for the first child and £200 for each additional child. Where evidence is required, the money normally has to be held for at least 28 consecutive days. Proof may not be needed in some cases, including where the applicant has already been in the UK with valid permission for at least 12 months or the sponsor certifies maintenance where permitted.
For Student dependants, the current requirement is generally £845 per month for up to nine months if the Student studies in London, or £680 per month for up to nine months outside London. This is additional to the Student’s own financial requirement.
A practical example
A Skilled Worker in an eligible occupation applying with a spouse and two children would normally need £800 for dependant maintenance if no exemption applies: £285 for the spouse, £315 for the first child and £200 for the second. The main applicant may also need to meet a separate maintenance requirement. Working out the total before starting the 28-day evidence period can prevent a last-minute shortfall.
Work, study, switching and settlement
Whether family members can work on a visa depends on the route, but eligible Skilled Worker dependants can generally work and study. Most temporary dependant routes also carry a no-public-funds condition. Fees and any immigration health surcharge should be checked when applying because charges and exemptions can change.
Some people cannot switch into dependant status from inside the UK, including visitors and certain short-term categories, so an overseas application may be required. A dependant’s visa also does not automatically extend when the main applicant extends theirs.
Settlement is route-specific. An eligible Skilled Worker dependant partner may qualify for indefinite leave to remain after meeting the relevant residence and relationship requirements, commonly after five years. Student and Graduate permission does not operate as a direct settlement route in the same way.
Related internal topics include UK Skilled Worker visa requirements, UK Student visa rules, and indefinite leave to remain requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Can an unmarried partner apply as a UK visa dependant?
Yes, if the route allows partners and the relationship requirements are met. An unmarried couple generally needs to show a durable relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership lasting at least two years, with evidence that it is genuine and continuing.
Can a dependant partner work full time in the UK?
On the Skilled Worker route, an eligible dependant partner can generally work full time and can usually be self-employed. They cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.
Can a child over 18 remain a dependant?
Potentially. Someone who already held dependant permission as a child may be able to continue if they meet the relevant rules and are not living an independent life.
Do all visa holders have the right to bring dependants?
No. Eligibility depends on the main route and, in some work cases, the occupation and when sponsorship began. Student, Graduate, care worker and certain medium-skilled cases all have special restrictions.
Final thoughts
The key to applying UK visa dependant rules correctly is identifying the main applicant’s exact route first. Then check whether partners and children are permitted, confirm the relationship and child requirements, calculate the correct maintenance amount, and review work, study and settlement conditions. Because the rules have changed significantly in recent years, families should rely on the requirements in force on the date they apply rather than older guidance or assumptions based on another visa category.
