The UK Dependant Visa is for the family members of people who have, or are applying for, visas various work categories including the Worker routes (formerly Tier 2), Temporary Worker routes (formerly Tier 5) as well as Representatives of overseas business, Innovators, Global Talent migrants and those with visas granted on the basis of UK ancestry. At A Y & J Solicitors, we can enhance the chance that your dependent family members are permitted to accompany you to the UK – so that you can embark on your new adventure, free from stress and worry.
As a focused immigration firm, we provide friendly, responsive, accurate legal advice and information that you can rely on. By instructing us to manage your entire family’s application for leave to enter the UK, you can be confident you receive right legal advice and strong legal representation.
To qualify for a Dependant Visa, you must be a dependant family member of a qualifying migrant. The Immigration Rules define a ‘dependant’ as being a:
It is highly unlikely that any other family members would be successful in claiming dependant status for the purposes of a Dependant Visa.
To obtain a Dependant Visa as a spouse or partner, you must be the spouse or partner of someone who is either:
Same-sex or unmarried partners must also be able to show they have been in a subsisting genuine relationship akin to marriage for the past two years.
Children may apply for a Dependant Visa if:
Children can only apply for a Dependant visa of a sole parent if:-
An essential requirement of the Dependant Visa is that the family have enough money to support themselves without having to rely on public funds. For example, if the main applicant is applying for a Skilled Worker Visa, they will need to show that they have £285 in savings for the dependent partner plus an extra £315 in savings for the first dependent child and £200 for each additional dependent child. However, if a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence holder with an A-rating can certify that these funds will be made available, the applicant may not have to provide proof funds availability.
Applications for a Dependant Visa can be made inside or outside the UK, and online (unless the applicant is from North Korea). Our expert lawyers will assist you and make the process seamless.
You will need to include the following documents in your application (Note: This is not an exhaustive list):
We will assist you with collating the required documents for your entire family.
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) are typically rigid in requiring that all documentation must be accurate and meet the stated specifications. Failure to comply means your application risks refusal or rejection. Any documents that are not written in the official languages of the UK (English or Welsh) must be translated by a certified professional translator.
In addition, the UKVI can enact checks to verify documentation for validity and accuracy. Any anomalies may lead to suspicion of deception, which may not only lead to application refusal but also can incur a 10 year ban on being granted entry clearance to the UK in future.
From outside the UK, a Dependant visa could take 12 weeks to be processed, from the date of your visa appointment.
For an additional fee the application can be submitted using the priority service, which would normally expedite the decision to within 5 working days.
From inside the UK, the current service standard is 8 weeks, from the appointment date.
There are priority and super priority services available for an additional cost. The priority service expedites the decision to 5 working days and the super priority expedites the decision to 24 hours.
The dependent visa fee is charged in line with the main applicant.
Each dependent is also subject to the Immigration Health surcharge, which is currently £624 per year for adults and £470 per year for child applicants.
Inside the UK, there is a biometric enrolment fee of £19.20.
Fees for Skilled Worker dependents are as follows:
Skilled Worker dependent – 3 year visa – entry clearance – £610
Skilled Worker (Shortage Occupation List) – 3 year visa – entry clearance £464
Skilled Worker dependant – 5 year visa – – entry clearance £1,220
Skilled Worker (Shortage Occupation List) – 5 year visa – entry clearance £928
Skilled Worker dependant – 3 year visa – leave to remain – £704
Skilled Worker (Shortage Occupation List) – 3 year visa– leave to remain £464
Skilled Worker dependant – 5 year visa– leave to remain £1408
Skilled Worker (Shortage Occupation List) – 5 year visa– leave to remain £928
Entry Clearance and Leave to Remain Fees for dependents of other visa categories can also be found on the Home Office’s current fee list, including:
As a dependant, you will be able to work and study in the UK (with some restrictions), and children will be able to go to either a state or private school. And of course, your family will remain together, able to enjoy living in a new country.
In addition, after a completing a relevant qualifying period, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
The dependant must be able to:-
The rules for dependent visas vary depending on the dependent route applied for. In all cases, partners must show that they are in a genuine subsisting relationship and that they intend to live with their partner in the UK. Children must be under 18 years old, unless, having subsequently turned 18 further to an application or original grant of (continuous) leave as a dependant.
In most cases the applicant will need to show that they can maintain and accommodate themselves in the UK without recourse to public funds (i.e. state benefits). Skilled Worker dependants may need to show a specified level of funds in their bank account or have a certification of maintenance from the Skilled Worker’s sponsoring employer. Other dependants, such as dependants of UK ancestry holders, may be able to show evidence of “adequate” funds without a specific level needing to be met.
Only qualifying family members can apply for a dependent visa. This includes:-
Partners will need to prove that they are in a genuine relationship with the Main applicant and that they intend to live with their partner in the UK.
Children must not be leading an independent life (i.e. financially independent).
Leaders, or “Main Applicants” are the individuals who have qualified for a UK visa – usually this will be on the basis of work or study in the UK. Main Applicants may be eligible to “sponsor” their dependent family members to apply for a dependent visa. The dependent visa will allow the family member to join the Main Applicant in the UK from overseas, to accompany the Main Applicant in moving to the UK or enable the family member, already resident, to continue to live together with the Main Applicant in the UK.
A dependant visa would always be granted in line with the sponsor. If a child is making an application and their parents have different visa lengths, the child’s visa would be granted in line with the parent who has the shorter period of leave remaining.
If a Skilled Worker is being or has been granted indefinite leave to remain, their dependant partner can apply for ILR too, if they qualify. If the dependant partner does not qualify for ILR at the same time as the Skilled Worker, they can normally extend their visa under the dependant route when it is due to expire; this type of extension would be granted for 3 years automatically.
If the partner is granted ILR on another route (for example Long Residence) the dependant would need to switch into the spousal partner (Appendix FM) route.
Only direct family members can apply as visa dependants. This would include:-
Unmarried partners must provide evidence of having lived with their partner for at least 2 years. Children must not be living an independent life.
Dependant visa holders are permitted to work in the UK. They can work in a self-employed capacity but there are restrictions on employment as a professional sportsperson or a Doctor/Dentist in training.
Dependants of Skilled Workers will need to meet the minimum requirement of funds. If the Skilled Worker themselves is being sponsored by an A-rated sponsor who is happy to “certify maintenance” for their employee and dependants, then evidence of a bank balance is not required. Similarly, if the dependants are applying for leave to remain and have lived in the UK for at least 12 months at the point of application, evidence of finances is not required.
Other dependants may need to show they have “adequate” funds to support themselves.
Our qualified lawyers at A Y & J Solicitors have extensive experience processing successful UK Dependant Visa applications. We understand how complex these applications can be for some applicants; however, we will make everything as clear as possible. We work hard and provide the right legal advice and representation to improve chances of your Dependant Visa application getting approved.
A Y & J Solicitors’ first-rate customer service ensures that you receive the help and understanding you need through every stage of your application. From the first meeting until you have the decision on your visa, we take each step with you, ensuring you are constantly updated on the progress of the application.
It’s a type of visa that permits a qualifying individual to join or accompany their family member who has been (or is at the same time being) granted a visa to live in the UK.
There is no requirement to be proficient in English to obtain a Dependant Visa. However, if you wish to apply for settlement, you will need to meet the English language requirement and pass the Life in the UK test.
Sometimes a small discrepancy can have a significant impact on the success of an application. A Y & J Solicitors…
We are a specialised UK immigration law firm.
Please note, the information provided herewith is correct as of the date of the publication of this video.
Today, I want to talk to you about the Points based system dependent visa also known as PBS dependent Visa.
This is a very important visa for anyone who wants to bring their loved ones to the UK.
Presuming you are the sponsor and having your current visa under points based system then you could invite your family that means your spouse or partner, and your children under 18 years of age.
One of the important part of your Dependent Visa application is proof of funds that means maintenance requirement. The Home Office needs to be assured that you have the funds to care for any dependents in the UK. You must show proof that the specified amount of money was held in a regulated financial institution, always and at least for 90 days. If you do not have these funds, and if you are currently under Tier 2 category, it might be possible for the employer to certify the maintenance.
Those living in the UK with a dependent Visa are not able to receive public funds, but they are able to work, attend school, and receive NHS health care. After they have lived in the UK for 5 continuous years, they could qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain also known as settlement, and then after possibly qualify for British Citizenship.
It’s important to send The Home Office a carefully prepared, thorough application including all specified evidence. Normally, the Home office will not make allowances for incomplete application.
This is really about families being together, and we don’t want anything to delay or deny this. Make sure you carefully review all the documentation you need for the Dependent Visa.
A non-exhaustive list of documents includes but not limited to the proof of the sponsor’s UK employment, proof of marriage/partnership for a spouse or partner, full birth certificates for any children under 18, and proof of your financial resources.
All time sensitive information, such as bank statements, must be current, and any documents not in English or Welsh must be translated by a certified translation agency.
Of course, the reward for careful applications is having your family with you in the UK, quickly with least hassle.
If you require more information/assistance in relation to the dependent Visa application, then please get in touch with us.
Our contact details are at the bottom of this video. We’re happy to help.
Thank you.
Professional and comprehensive service that was faultless. The attention to detail and the guidance provided in completing the application and the required documentation was perfect. My consultant lawyer Sok Wei Low was extremely helpful and was always accessible to answer any questions I had at any time. I would highly recommend The service and was extremely pleased with the final outcome.