Dependants
Applying for a student dependant visa
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Applying for a student dependant visa
Dependants
This section explains what is meant by a Student Dependant.
Current UEL students should refer to the Dependant Visa on the intranet for further information.
Who is eligible to bring dependants to the UK?
You can only bring dependants to the UK if you have or are applying for a Student visa and
- You are studying a full-time postgraduate level course at UEL which is 9 months or longer, and your course start date is before 1 January 2024; OR
- You are studying an eligible full-time PhD or research-based higher degree at UEL; OR
- You are financially sponsored by a government to study a full-time course at least 6 months long; OR
- You have a current Student visa (or it expired no more than 3 months ago), to study a full-time course of 6 months or longer, and are now applying for a new Student visa to study a new full-time course that is 6 months or longer, and:
- Your dependant already has a valid Student dependant visa (or it expired no more than 3 months ago); or
- Your child was born since you were last granted a Student visa, and they are applying for a Student dependant visa at the same time as you or your dependant partner; OR
- Your child was born whilst you are studying a full-time course of 6 months or longer, and they are applying during that period, or during a period of permission to undertake re-sit examinations or retake a module for that course
Who can be your dependant?
Your partner and children are the only family members who can apply for a Student Dependant visa.
Your partner can be:
- Husband or wife
- Civil partner
- A partner with whom you have been living for at least two years in a relationship like marriage or civil partnership.
The relationship with your partner must be genuine and subsisting, and you must intend to live together throughout your stay in the UK. You and your partner must be 18 or older on the date when you arrive in the UK.
Your child must be:
- Under 18; OR,
- In the UK as your dependant child and are extending their dependant visa
Your children must not have formed an independent family unit or be leading an independent life, and they must not intend to do so when they are in the UK.
Your child must not have formed an independent family unit or be leading an ‘independent life’, and they must not intend to do so when they are in the UK.
Both parents must either be in the UK or come to the UK with the child at the same time. In exceptional circumstances can one parent can come to the UK alone, such as when the child’s other parent is not alive; if you have sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing, or if there are serious or compelling reasons. You would be required to provide evidence with the Student Dependant visa application.
Please see UKCISA for further information.
The following documents must be submitted to support the Student Dependant visa application.
- Valid passport. The passport will need at least one full page that is blank on both sides.
- Evidence of relationship to student (see below for further information)
- Evidence of the status of the student
- Evidence of sufficient funds (see Financial requirements tab)
- Current valid UK immigration permission if extending in the UK
- Valid TB test certificate if dependant is applying from overseas and has been living for at least six months in one of the countries specified by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) on their website. The test must be taken at a TB test clinic that has been approved by UKVI
- A copy of the student’s passport and UK immigration if dependant is applying separately from the student
- Official translations of any documents that are not in English or Welsh (see below for further information)
- Any other evidence relevant to the application may be requested by the caseworker during the application process.
Evidence of relationship to student
Partner
- If you are married or in a civil partnership, you should provide evidence of this, for example, a marriage/ civil partnership certificate showing the relationship between you and your partner.
- If you are not married, your dependant will need to provide evidence that you have been living together in a relationship like marriage for at least two years. Only official documents will only be considered; they will need to cover a minimum two-year period. For example, you may use bank statements, utility bills or tenancy agreements that show you have been living at the same address.
- Evidence that the relationship is subsisting if you are married/ in a civil partnership and not living together.
- Evidence of suitable accommodation for you and your dependants to live together, especially if you are already in the UK, for example a tenancy agreement. If the dependant is applying to join the student who is already in the UK, then a cover letter from the student with details of where you will live together can be used.
Please see the Relationship with a Partner guidance for further information.
Child
A birth certificate or government registration certificate showing the relationship between you and your child.
Children aged 16 and over at the time of application will need to prove they are not married or in a civil partnership and is living with you, unless they are living away from home in full-time education. They will need to submit two different documents demonstrating they have not formed an independent family unit or are leading an independent life e.g. NHS registration document; a letter from their educational institution confirming their address or bank statements.
Translations
If your dependant’s documents are not in English or Welsh, they will need to submit the document in their language and include a fully certified translation by a professional translator or translation company of these documents.
The translation must provide the following:
- A statement from the translator or translation company confirming that it is an accurate translation of the original document
- The date of the translation
- The translator or an official of the translation company's full name and signature and,
- The translator or translation company's contact details.
As part of the Student Dependant visa application, your dependants must evidence they have enough funds to cover living costs in the UK.
How much maintenance must my dependants show?
Your dependants are required to show £845 for each month of the visa duration, up to a maximum of nine months. This is a total of £7,605 per dependant if the visa is granted for 9 months or more (9 x £845). The funds are in addition to the funds that you are required to show as a student.
Living in the UK for longer than 12 months
If your dependants have lived in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months by the date they submit the visa application and are applying for their visa application inside the UK, they will meet the financial requirement and do not need to submit evidence of funds with the visa application. They should still prepare the funds in case they are required by the caseworker during the decision-making process.
Who can show the funds?
The funds can be held in either your name, your dependant’s name or in the case of dependant children, their other parent's name.
Evidence of funds/ bank accounts
Your dependants can show they have the required funds in a variety of formats. For example, your dependants could submit a bank statement, bank letter, passbook or fixed deposit certificate.
The financial documentation must show that the required level of funds has been held for a minimum consecutive 28-day period. This means that the funds must not have dropped below the amount that your dependants need to show at any time during the 28 days. The amount your dependants need to show should remain in the account until the visa has been issued to them. In addition, the financial document must not be more than 31 days old on the date the visa application is submitted.
If you receive official financial sponsorship from either a government or international company which covers the living costs of any dependants, this can be explained in the ‘additional information’ section of the application, along with a cover letter from the sponsor confirming this can be submitted to meet the financial requirements. The letter would need to confirm the amount they are providing to cover the living costs for any dependants. If it does not cover the full amount required, additional financial documentation would need to be provided to cover the shortfall.
Differentiation arrangement
If you and your dependant(s) are applying at the same time and are both nationals of one of the following countries, you will qualify for the differentiation arrangements for 'low-risk applicants'.
The list of counties covered by this is in paragraph ST22.1 of the Immigration Rules.
This means you and your dependants will not need to submit financial evidence with your visa application if you are applying at the same time. However, it is important to still prepare them in case requested during the visa application decision-making process.
Full details can be found on the UK Government website and in the Financial Requirement Caseworker Guidance.
Before your dependants start their Student Dependant visa application, they should make sure they are familiar with the requirements.
They should read the UK Government website and the Student Dependant sections in the Student Route caseworker guidance for full details on applying as a dependant to ensure they are prepared as much as possible. You can also find more information on the UKCISA website.
How do my dependants apply for a dependant visa?
The Student Dependant visa application is online. Your dependants can make their online application once they have prepared all the required documents. Each dependant must complete a separate application.
Application fee:
The visa application fee for each dependant is currently £524 for the standard service. Some countries may offer premium services at an additional cost.
More information on the visa application fees can be found on the UK Government website.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS):
Your dependants are also required to pay the IHS, which is £776 per year for the duration the visa will be valid.
More information on the IHS fees can be found on the UK Government website.
Applying outside the UK
The visa decision time for a standard application for those applying outside the UK is 3 weeks.
In most countries, as part of the online application, an appointment is booked to attend the visa application centre to enrol biometrics (have your fingerprints and facial image taken) and submit supporting documents.
If your dependant’s application is successful, they will receive a visa vignette (sticker) in their passport. If they are given immigration permission for more than six months, they will receive a single-entry visa in their passport that will only be valid for 90 days. They will need to enter the UK within 90 days and follow the instructions outlined in UKVI’s decision letter to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa (digital status).
If your dependant is given immigration permission for six months or less, the visa vignette (sticker) in their passport will last for the whole period. It will not expire after 90 days.
In some cases, such as EEA and Swiss nationals who have used the ID check app, will be granted an eVisa (digital status), so may not be issued a visa vignette.
Applying inside the UK
To apply inside the UK, your dependant must not have, or last been granted permission in one of the following categories:
- Visit visa
- Short-term student visa
- Parent of a child student visa
- Seasonal worker visa
- Domestic worker in a private household visa
- Leave outside the immigration rules
Any dependant eligible to apply for a Student Dependant visa application from within the UK must make the application before their current visa expires.
The visa decision time for a standard application for those applying inside the UK is 8 weeks.
If your dependant’s application is successful, they should follow the instructions outlined in UKVI’s decision letter to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa (digital status).
Student Dependant Visas FAQs
Who can bring dependants to the UK?
Only some Student visa holders can bring dependants. You can usually bring dependants if you are studying an eligible full-time postgraduate course of nine months or more (with a course start date before 1 January 2024), an eligible PhD or research degree, or if you are financially sponsored by a government on a longer full-time course. Check this page carefully to confirm you meet the eligibility rules before your dependants apply.
What proof do we need as partners?
Married or civil partners should provide a marriage or civil partnership certificate. Unmarried partners must show you have lived together for at least two years in a relationship like marriage or civil partnership, and that your relationship is genuine and continuing. You must both be 18 or older when you arrive in the UK.
What are the rules for dependant children?
Children must usually be under 18, unless they are already in the UK as your dependant and are extending. They must not be living an independent life. Normally, both parents must be in the UK or travelling at the same time, with limited exceptions such as sole responsibility.
How much money do dependants need to show?
Each dependant has their own maintenance requirement, separate from your own. You must show the correct amount for each dependant in the required format, unless your sponsorship covers them. Use the Financial Requirements section on this page to check the current figures.
How do dependants apply, and what documents do they need?
Dependants usually apply for a Student dependant visa online and give biometrics at a Visa Application Centre. Typical documents include passports, relationship evidence, financial evidence (or sponsorship letters), any TB certificate if required, and proof of your Student visa status/CAS. Provide certified translations for documents not in English, following UKVI guidance.