UK Dependant Visas

UK Dependant Visas – How Your Partner and Children Can Join You in the UK

The UK immigration system allows many visa holders to bring their dependants to live with them in the UK. This is an essential and often life-changing option for families who want to remain together while one partner or parent works, studies or develops their career here. Dependants can often work, study and build their own future in the UK, and in many cases may eventually qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

At The Jonathan Lea Network, we support families across all immigration categories with dependant applications. Whether you are a Skilled Worker, Global Talent visa holder, Student visa holder, Innovator Founder, Graduate visa holder or another points-based system (PBS) migrant, we help you understand your options and prepare strong, compliant applications for your partner and children.

This page explains the rules, evidence requirements, latest policy changes, and how we guide you through the process.

Who Counts as a Dependant Under the Points-Based System?

Under the Immigration Rules, PBS dependants include:

• Husbands, wives or civil partners
• Unmarried partners (must show two years of cohabitation unless exempt)
  
• Children under 18 at the date of application
  
• Children over 18, only if:
  
  • They were previously granted dependant status,
    
  • They remain financially and emotionally dependent, and
    
  • They are not living an independent life
    

Parents, siblings or extended relatives are not permitted as dependants under the PBS rules unless a separate immigration route applies.

Who Can Sponsor Dependants?

Many PBS and related visa holders may sponsor dependants, including:

• Skilled Workers
• Global Talent visa holders
• Health and Care Workers (subject to 2025 restrictions – see below)
  
• Innovator Founders
• Scale-up Workers
• Graduate visa holders
• Tier 2 / Tier 4 legacy migrants (still valid)
• Global Mobility categories (limited)
  
• Private life route applicants switching into PBS routes
  

2025 Restriction – Care Workers & Below Degree-Level Roles

From July 2025, the rules now state:

• Skilled Worker applicants switching into below degree-level roles cannot bring or remain with dependants.
• Care workers and senior care workers (including occupations on the Temporary Shortage List) can generally no longer sponsor dependants.
• Applicants should check the most up-to-date occupational exemptions before proceeding.
  

Student Visa Dependants – Major Restrictions (2024 onwards)

From 2024:

• Most new Student visa applicants cannot bring dependants.
  
• Exemptions apply only to:
  
  • PhD and doctoral-level students
    
  • Other research postgraduate programmes
    
  • Students funded by the UK Government
    

These rules are strict and frequently updated.

Key Eligibility Requirements for Dependants

PBS dependant applications must show:

1. A genuine and subsisting relationship
2. English language requirements (new 2025 rule for some adult dependants)
3. Adequate financial support
4. Suitable accommodation
5. Valid immigration status of the main applicant
6. Suitability and good character requirements
   

Each category is explained in detail below.

English Language Requirement for Adult Dependants (New – July 2025)

A major change introduced in July 2025 requires some adult dependants to meet the English language requirement at CEFR A1 level at initial entry.

This applies to dependants of:

• Certain Skilled Workers, particularly those in occupations linked to the Immigration Salary List, and
  
• Roles where the Home Office requires dependants to show basic integration capability at entry
  

This is a new requirement and applicants should check whether it applies to their specific occupation code or sponsoring category. We confirm this during our assessment and help dependants meet the requirement.

1. Genuine and Subsisting Relationship

Applicants must show a real and continuing relationship with the main applicant.

Partners must demonstrate:

• A valid marriage or civil partnership, or
  
• Two years’ cohabitation for unmarried partners
  

Evidence may include:

• Joint financial documents
  
• Shared tenancy or mortgage agreements
  
• Correspondence showing regular contact
  
• Photos and travel records
  

Children must demonstrate:

• Dependency on the parent(s)
  
• They are not living independently
  
• They reside with the parent(s), unless studying away from home
  
• In cases of separated parents, evidence of sole responsibility or consent from the other parent
  

We help families gather suitable evidence and explain complex circumstances clearly.

2. Financial Requirements for Dependants

PBS dependants must show they can be financially supported in the UK without using public funds.

Maintenance Amounts

While subject to change, typical historic guidance includes:

• £285 – partner
  
• £315 – first child
  
• £200 – each additional child
  

These may differ depending on visa category and Home Office updates.

Maintenance Fund Exemptions

Dependants may not need to show separate savings if:

• The employer certifies maintenance on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), or
  
• The main applicant (and dependants) have been lawfully living in the UK for 12 months or more
  

We confirm whether either exemption applies, which simplifies the application significantly.

3. Accommodation Requirement

Dependants must have access to accommodation that is:

• Adequate
  
• Not overcrowded
  
• Lawfully occupied
  
• Compliant with UK housing and health regulations
  

Examples of accepted evidence:

• Tenancy agreements
  
• Mortgage documents
  
• Letters from landlords
  
• Property inspection reports
  

We provide guidance on obtaining inspection reports where necessary.

4. Immigration Status of the Main Applicant

The main applicant must:

• Hold a valid PBS visa, or
  
• Be applying at the same time, or
  
• Be switching into an eligible PBS category
  

Dependants may apply:

• At the same time,
  
• After the main applicant (“subsequent entrants”), or
  
• As part of an extension or ILR application later
  

5. Suitability and Good Character Requirements

Dependants must meet suitability requirements, including:

• No serious criminal convictions
  
• No history of deception or false documents
  
• No immigration breaches
  
• No significant NHS debts
  
• No behaviour considered contrary to the public good
  

We review suitability issues thoroughly to avoid unexpected refusals.

Application Requirements – What Dependants Must Provide

Below is a structured evidence summary:

Identity Documents

• Passport
  
• Biometric Residence Permit (if held)
  

Relationship Evidence

• Marriage/civil partnership certificates
  
• Birth certificates
  
• Cohabitation proof for unmarried partners
  

Financial Documents

(depending on route)

• Payslips
  
• Bank statements
  
• Employer maintenance certification
  
• Tenancy or mortgage documents
  

Accommodation Evidence

• Tenancy agreement or property ownership proof
  
• Permission to live with a host, if applicable
  

Parental Responsibility Evidence

• Court orders
  
• Consent letters
  
• Statements explaining responsibility
  

English Language Evidence (if applicable post-July 2025)

• A1 level SELT test certificate
  
• Other accepted forms of proof
  

Criminal Record Certificate

(required for certain nationalities or roles)

We prepare tailored document lists for each family.

The Dependants Application Process – Step by Step

1. Eligibility Review: We assess category rules, financial requirements, English language requirements (post-July 2025), accommodation and suitability.

2. Evidence Gathering: We help you collect and structure evidence.

3. Application Drafting: We complete the online forms and prepare supporting material.

4. Uploading Documents: We prepare a professionally indexed bundle for submission.

5. Biometrics Appointment: Dependants attend a visa centre or UKVCAS appointment.

6. Processing Times: Typical processing times:

• Outside the UK: around 3 months
  
• Inside the UK: 8–12 weeks
  

Note: Processing times can be longer during peak periods or when additional document checks are required.

Work and Study Rights for Dependants

Most dependants can work in the UK

This includes partners of:

• Skilled Workers
  
• Global Talent visa holders
  
• Innovator Founders
  
• Scale-up Workers
  
• Graduate visa holders
  

Restrictions apply to dependants of Student visa holders, who generally cannot work as professional sportspersons and, from 2024, are heavily restricted from entering the UK unless exempt under PhD/research categories.

ILR Pathway for Dependants

Dependants may qualify for ILR when:

• The main applicant qualifies for ILR, and
  
• The dependant has completed the required period of five years in the UK, and
  
• The relationship still exists, and
  
• Suitability requirements are met
  

Late arrival restriction

Dependants who joined the main applicant later may need to complete their own full five-year residence period, even if the main applicant already qualifies for ILR.

We calculate timelines clearly for each family member.

Common Challenges and How We Help

1. Care-sector dependant prohibitions (2025 restrictions): We guide applicants on updated occupational rules.

2. Proving unmarried partner cohabitation: We help source alternative evidence where needed.

3. Managing applications with separated parents: We prepare sole responsibility or consent evidence.

4. Financial requirement confusion: We calculate applicable maintenance and exemptions.

5. English language changes (July 2025): We determine whether dependants must satisfy A1 requirements.

6. Mistakes in document formatting: We review and prepare compliant, organised evidence bundles.

Why Choose The Jonathan Lea Network?

Specialists in complex dependant cases: We handle applications across all PBS routes, including complex care-sector and cohabitation cases.

Clear, friendly and practical guidance: We reduce stress and help families stay together in the UK.

Thorough and precise evidence preparation: Our attention to detail significantly reduces refusal risk.

Value for money: We offer transparent pricing and efficient case handling.

End-to-end support: We assist dependants all the way to ILR and citizenship where eligible.

Speak to Our Immigration Team Today

Keeping your family together in the UK matters. With frequent immigration rule changes, especially in 2024–2025, preparing dependant applications correctly is essential. Whether applying for the first time, joining family in the UK or planning toward ILR, our immigration team provides structured guidance and well-prepared applications designed to secure the strongest result.

Contact The Jonathan Lea Network today to discuss your dependant application and ensure your family’s future in the UK.

We offer a no-cost, no-obligation 20-minute introductory call as a starting point or, in some cases, if you would just like some initial advice and guidance, we will instead offer a one-hour fixed fee appointment (charged from £250 plus VAT to £350 plus VAT* depending on the complexity of the issues and seniority of the fee earner).

Please email wewillhelp@jonathanlea.net providing us with any relevant information ensuring that any call we have is as productive as possible or call us on 01444 708640. After this call, we can then email you a scope of work, fee estimate (or fixed fee quote if possible), and confirmation of any other points or information mentioned on the call.

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