It is challenging to navigate the process of UK Dependent Visas by yourself. Our team at A Y & J Solicitors is here to simplify the process and give you the best possible chance of success. The UK Dependent Visa allows family members, including spouses and children, to join and reside with a visa holder. The applicants need to show that they meet the prerequisites of this visa by demonstrating financial stability and proof of relationship with their family members. Professional legal assistance can help you ensure compliance with these criteria in your application.
With over 1,200 five-star reviews and recognition in The Legal 500 Guide, A Y & J Solicitors are the leaders in immigration. With years of experience in immigration law combined with a client-focused approach, we will make the process smooth and hassle-free. Our skilled team will walk you through the visa application process and work out an action plan tailored for you, ensuring all requirements have been met to secure your family's future.
We understand the UK immigration policy and do our utmost to reunite families. If you need professional advice regarding your application to bring your dependents to the UK, contact our specialised team at A Y & J Solicitors. Let us help you navigate the process to ensure the desired outcome.
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The UK Dependant Visa is for the family members of people who have, or are applying for, visas in 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 based on UK ancestry. At A Y & J Solicitors, we can enhance the chance that your dependent family members can 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 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 correct 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 doubtful that any other family members would successfully claim dependant status for 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 relying on public funds. For example, if the main applicant is applying for a Skilled Worker Visa, they must 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, suppose a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence holder with an A-rating can certify that these funds will be available. In that case, the applicant may not have to provide proof of 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 be accurate and meet the stated specifications. Failure to comply means your application risks refusal or rejection. Any documents 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 incur a 10-year ban on being granted entry clearance to the UK in the future.
From outside the UK, a Dependant visa could take 3 weeks to process your application from the date of biometric appointment.
For an additional fee, the application can be submitted using the priority service, typically expediting the decision within 5 working days.
From inside the UK, the current service standard is 8 weeks from the appointment date.
Priority and super-priority services are 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. It is important to to note that the priority services are subject to availability at the time of application submission.
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 £1035 per year for adults and £776 per year for child applicants.
Fees for Skilled Worker dependents are as follows:
Skilled Worker dependent – 3 year visa – entry clearance – £713
Skilled Worker (Immigration Salary List) – 3 year visa – entry clearance £551
Skilled Worker dependant – 5 year visa – – entry clearance £1,420
Skilled Worker (Immigration Salary List) – 5 year visa – entry clearance £1,084
Skilled Worker dependant – 3 year visa – leave to remain – £827
Skilled Worker (Immigration Salary List) – 3 year visa– leave to remain £551
Skilled Worker dependant – 5 year visa– leave to remain £1,636
Skilled Worker (Immigration Salary List) – 5 year visa– leave to remain £1,084
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 your children will be able to attend either a state or private school. Of course, your family will remain together, able to enjoy living in a new country.
In addition, after 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 intend to live with their partner in the UK. Children must be under 18 unless, having subsequently turned 18, further to an application or original grant of (continuous) leave as a dependant.
In most cases, the applicant must 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 maintenance certification 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 must prove that they are in a genuine relationship with the Main applicant and intend to live with their partner in the UK.
Children must not be independent (i.e., financially independent).
Leaders, or “Main Applicants”, are the individuals who have qualified for a UK visa – usually, this will be based on 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, accompany the Main Applicant in moving to the UK, or enable the family member, already resident, to continue living with the Main Applicant in the UK.
A dependant visa would always be granted according to the sponsor. If a child is making an application and their parents have different visa lengths, the child’s visa would be granted according to the parent with a shorter leave period.
If a skilled worker is being or has been granted indefinite leave to remain, their dependent partner can apply for ILR, too, if they qualify. If the dependent partner is not eligible for ILR at the same time as the skilled worker, they can typically extend their visa under the dependent route when it expires; 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 to the spousal partner (Appendix FM) route.
Dependent visa holders are permitted to work in the UK. They can work as self-employed, but there are restrictions on employment as professional sportspersons or Doctors/Dentists in training.
Dependants of skilled workers will need to meet the minimum fund requirement. If the Skilled Workers are being sponsored by an A-rated sponsor happy to “certify maintenance” for their employees and dependants, 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 Dependent Visa applications. We understand how complex these applications can be for some applicants; however, we will make everything as clear as possible. We provide the right legal advice and representation to improve your chances of getting your Dependent Visa application approved.
A Y & J Solicitors’ first-rate customer service ensures you receive the help and understanding you need through every application stage. From the first meeting until you decide on your visa, we take each step with you, ensuring you are constantly updated on the application’s progress.
What is a Dependent Visa?
It’s a 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.
To obtain a dependent visa, you do not need to be proficient in English. However, if you wish to apply for settlement, you must meet the English language requirement and pass the Life in the UK test.
Our immigration lawyers at A Y & J Solicitors are dedicated to supporting you as you embark on your new career journey in the UK. Schedule a call with us today so we can help ensure your application checks all of the required boxes.
