The UK Student dependant visa allows eligible international students to bring their spouse, partner, or children to the United Kingdom during their studies. However, significant rule changes introduced on 1 January 2024 now restrict this option to students on PhD or research-based postgraduate courses, or those with government sponsorship. Most taught master's, undergraduate, and below-degree students can no longer bring family members. This guide explains current eligibility, the £845/month financial threshold per dependant, the £558 application fee from April 2026, work rights, document requirements, and refusal grounds.
Source: Home Office Immigration Rules: Appendix Student + Home Office fees schedule (8 April 2026)
- Who Can Bring Dependants on a Student Visa?
- January 2024 Rule Changes Explained
- Who Counts as an Eligible Dependant?
- Financial Requirements for Student Dependants
- Required Documents for Student Dependant Visa
- Can Student Dependants Work in the UK?
- Application Process and Fees
- Common Refusal Reasons and Remedies
- FAQs: UK Student Dependant Visa
Understanding the UK Student Dependant Visa in 2026
The UK Student dependant visa, sometimes called a "Dependant of a Student" visa, permits eligible family members to accompany international students during their studies in the United Kingdom. This visa category is governed by Appendix Student of the Immigration Rules and has undergone major changes since 1 January 2024 that significantly restrict who is eligible.
For complete eligibility on the underlying Student visa route — which determines whether you can bring dependants in the first place — see our UK Student visa requirements.
Who Can Bring Dependants on a UK Student Visa?
Only students enrolled in PhD or research-based postgraduate programmes at a Higher Education Provider, or students sponsored by a government or international scholarship body for 6 months or more, can bring dependants to the UK. Students on taught master's degrees, undergraduate courses, or short courses cannot bring family members. The eligibility depends entirely on the type of course you are studying and your sponsorship arrangement.
The main applicant (student) must hold or be applying for a valid Student visa and meet specific course requirements. The course type, not the level of qualification alone, determines eligibility — a one-year taught master's does not qualify, but a two-year MRes (research master's) does.
| Student Category | Can Bring Dependants? |
|---|---|
| PhD or doctoral programme | Yes |
| Research-based postgraduate (MPhil, MRes) | Yes |
| Government-sponsored student (6+ months) | Yes |
| Doctorate Extension Scheme | Yes |
| Taught master's degree (MA, MSc, MBA, LLM) | No (since Jan 2024) |
| Undergraduate degree | No |
| Below degree level / foundation | No |
| Short-Term Study Visa holders | No |
If you're on a short course of 6 months or less, the UK STSV route route applies — and that route does not permit any dependants under any circumstances.
What Changed in January 2024 for Student Dependants?
From 1 January 2024, the UK government removed the right for most international students to bring dependants. Only students on research-based postgraduate courses (PhD, MPhil, MRes) or those with government/international sponsorship can now bring family members. This affected all new applications from that date — taught master's students who previously could bring dependants lost this right.
The January 2024 changes were part of the government's strategy to reduce net migration to the UK. Previously, students on any postgraduate course of 9 months or longer at a Higher Education Provider could bring dependants. The rule change came alongside the parallel restriction on switching from Student to most work visas without first completing the course.
Key Changes to Student Dependant Rules
- Taught master's excluded: One-year MA, MSc, MBA, LLM and similar programmes no longer qualify
- Research focus required: Course must be confirmed as doctoral or research-based on the CAS
- Government sponsorship exception: Students funded by governments or international scholarship bodies remain eligible regardless of course type, provided sponsorship is for 6 months or more
- Existing dependants protected: Those already in the UK as dependants before January 2024 can remain and extend with the main student
- Doctorate Extension Scheme (DES): Continues to allow dependants on extension applications
If you are considering studying in the UK with your family, choosing a research-based programme such as a PhD, MPhil, or MRes is now essential if you want to bring dependants. Alternatively, securing government or international scholarship funding that covers dependants may provide eligibility on a non-research course.
Who Counts as an Eligible Dependant?
Eligible dependants include your spouse (husband or wife), civil partner, unmarried partner (if you have lived together for at least 2 years), and children under 18. Each dependant must prove their relationship to you and meet specific requirements based on their category. Same-sex marriages and civil partnerships from countries that recognise them are accepted.
The Immigration Rules define specific categories of family members who can apply as dependants. Each category has different documentation requirements to prove the genuineness of the relationship, and UKVI scrutinises unmarried partner applications particularly closely.
Spouse and Civil Partner Requirements
If you are married or in a civil partnership, you must provide your official marriage or civil partnership certificate. The marriage must be legally recognised in the country where it took place and must not be a polygamous marriage (unless contracted before a specified date under transitional arrangements). Same-sex marriages and civil partnerships from countries that recognise them are accepted.
Unmarried Partner Requirements
Unmarried partners must demonstrate they have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least 2 years immediately before the application. Acceptable evidence includes joint tenancy agreements, utility bills in both names, bank statements showing shared finances, council tax statements, and correspondence addressed to both partners at the same address. Affidavits alone are not sufficient — UKVI requires documentary evidence of the cohabitation period.
Dependant Children Requirements
Children must be under 18 at the date of application and not living independently, married, or in a civil partnership. You must provide birth certificates showing parentage. For children over 16, additional evidence may be required to show they are still dependent on you financially and not leading an independent life. If the child is not travelling with both parents, written consent from the absent parent (or evidence of sole responsibility) may be required.
What Are the Financial Requirements for Student Dependants?
Each dependant must show £845 per month for up to 9 months — totalling £7,605 per dependant. This is required IN ADDITION to the main student's £1,529 (London) or £1,171 (outside London) maintenance funds. Dependants who have been in the UK for 12 months or more before applying are exempt and don't need to prove funds. The standard 28-day rule applies to all evidence.
The financial requirements for student dependants are calculated separately from the main student's. You must demonstrate funds for both yourself and each dependant you are bringing. For complete details on the main student's £1,529/£1,171 maintenance figures, see our UK Student visa financial threshold.
| Applicant Type | Monthly Amount | 9-Month Total |
|---|---|---|
| Main student (London) | £1,529 | £13,761 |
| Main student (outside London) | £1,171 | £10,539 |
| Each dependant (any location) | £845 | £7,605 |
Family Cost Examples
Example 1 — London PhD student with spouse:
Student maintenance £13,761 + spouse £7,605 = £21,366 minimum balance required (plus any outstanding tuition fees)
Example 2 — Outside London PhD with spouse and 2 children:
Student £10,539 + 3 dependants × £7,605 = £33,354 + £10,539 = £33,354 minimum (plus any outstanding tuition)
If you are sponsored by a government or international scholarship body, your sponsorship letter must explicitly mention each dependant by name and confirm that their living costs will be covered. The letter must be on official letterhead and dated within 6 months of your application.
What Documents Are Required for a Student Dependant Visa?
Required documents include a valid passport, relationship proof (marriage certificate or 2-year cohabitation evidence), financial evidence meeting the 28-day rule, TB test certificate (if applicable from designated countries), and the main student's CAS details and visa information. All non-English documents must be accompanied by certified translations.
- Valid passport (current throughout intended stay)
- Marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate, or 2-year cohabitation evidence
- Birth certificates for any dependant children
- Bank statements showing required funds (28-day rule)
- TB test certificate (from designated countries)
- Immigration Health Surcharge payment confirmation
- Main student's CAS number and visa details
- Main student's eVisa share code (if extending in-country)
- Government sponsor letter naming each dependant (if applicable)
- Certified translations of non-English documents
Relationship Evidence for Unmarried Partners
If you are applying as an unmarried partner, you must provide substantial evidence of your 2-year cohabitation. Acceptable documents include joint tenancy agreements, utility bills, council tax statements, bank statements showing the same address, and official correspondence. Aim for 6+ months of evidence spread evenly across the 2-year period — not just a clump from the recent few months.
Documents for Dependant Children
For children, you need birth certificates showing parentage. For children aged 16 or 17, evidence that they are not living independently — proof of educational enrolment, financial dependence on the main student, and continuing residence with parents. If the child is not travelling with both parents, written consent from the absent parent (or evidence of sole parental responsibility, court orders, or death certificate of the absent parent) is required.
Can Student Dependants Work in the UK?
Yes, dependants of eligible students have full work rights in the UK with no restrictions on working hours. They can work full-time in any role, including self-employment, but cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach. These work rights apply for the duration of their dependant visa and do NOT mirror the 20-hour Student visa work limit.
Unlike the main student who faces strict work restrictions (20 hours per week during term time, no self-employment), dependants can work full-time with no hour limits and can be self-employed. This is one of the most significant benefits of bringing a dependant — household income potential is dramatically higher than the main student alone could earn. For full details on Student visa work limits and the contrast with dependant rights, see our Student visa work limits.
- Full-time employment: No restriction on weekly hours
- Self-employment: Permitted (unlike main student) — can run a business, freelance, contract
- Multiple jobs: Allowed, no aggregate hour limit
- Study rights: Dependants can study at any level alongside work
- Restriction: Cannot work as professional sportsperson or sports coach
- Restriction: Cannot work as a doctor or dentist in training (limited exceptions)
Employers must conduct right to work checks on dependants. The dependant's eVisa (or BRP if still issued) will show their entitlement to work in the UK, and employers should verify this via the Home Office online checking service before employment begins.
Student Dependant Visa Application Process and Fees
Dependants apply online, pay the £558 visa fee (from 8 April 2026) plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year, attend a biometrics appointment or use the UK Immigration: ID Check app, and submit supporting documents. Standard processing takes around 3 weeks. Priority service is available for an additional £500 for faster decisions.
Dependants can apply at the same time as the main student or after the student has already received their visa. If applying separately, the dependant must reference the main student's visa application or existing visa details (CAS number, GWF reference, eVisa share code).
Student Dependant Fees 2026
| Fee Type | Amount (from 8 April 2026) |
|---|---|
| Dependant visa fee (outside UK) | £558 per person |
| Dependant visa fee (inside UK — extension/switch) | £558 per person |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (per year) | £776 (student discount rate) |
| Main student visa fee | £558 |
| Priority service (optional) | +£500 |
| Super Priority service (optional) | +£1,000 |
Note that the dependant fee is now identical to the main Student visa fee (£558 from 8 April 2026), reflecting the principle that each application is processed independently. Importantly, dependants of Student visa holders qualify for the discounted IHS rate of £776/year (student rate), not the £1,035 full adult rate. This is a significant saving compared to dependants on most other visa categories.
For complete fee structures across all UK visa categories, see our UK visa fee categories.
Total Family Cost Example
PhD student + spouse + 1 child, 3-year visa, applying from outside UK (post-April 2026):
- Application fees: 3 × £558 = £1,674
- IHS: 3 × £776 × 3 years = £6,984
- Total Home Office charges: £8,658
- Plus maintenance funds in bank: £10,539 + 2 × £7,605 = £25,749 minimum balance
- Plus tuition fees (separate)
The standard processing time after biometrics is typically 3 weeks for student dependant applications. Priority and super priority services can reduce this to 5 working days or 1 working day respectively, for applicants who need faster decisions.
Common Student Dependant Visa Refusal Reasons
Common refusal reasons include the main student being on an ineligible course type (taught master's, undergraduate), insufficient proof of relationship, inadequate financial evidence, the 28-day rule not being met, missing or invalid TB test certificate, and adverse immigration history. Most refusals can be addressed by reapplying with stronger evidence — for genuine errors by UKVI, administrative review is available.
Understanding why applications are refused helps you prepare a stronger application. The refusal notice will specify exactly which requirements were not met, allowing you to address these issues in a fresh application. For broader context on UK visa refusal grounds across categories, see our UK visa refusal causes.
Remedies After Refusal
- Administrative review: Request review if you believe an error was made in processing — works for caseworker errors, not policy disagreements
- Fresh application: Submit a new application addressing the specific refusal reasons. Most refusals are best resolved this way
- Legal advice: Consult an immigration solicitor for complex cases or if relationship genuineness was challenged
- Credibility concerns: If the main student failed the UK Student visa interview questions, address those concerns first as they affect dependant applications
- Course type issue: If main student is on an ineligible course type, dependants cannot be granted — switching to a research course is the only path
- Eligibility (since Jan 2024): Only PhD/research students and government-sponsored students can bring dependants
- Eligible dependants: Spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners (2+ years), children under 18
- Application fee: £558 from 8 April 2026 (same as main student fee)
- IHS: £776/year per dependant (student discount rate, not £1,035)
- Financial requirement: £845/month per dependant (£7,605 for 9 months)
- Work rights: Full-time, self-employment allowed (no 20-hour limit like main student)
- Processing: 3 weeks standard, +£500 priority (5 working days)
- Cannot bring on: Taught master's, undergraduate, below-degree, Short-Term Study
- Graduate Route transition: Existing dependants can move to 2-year post-study work permission (but at full £1,035 IHS rate)
- Self-employment via Innovator route: Main student must transition first — see our starting a business guide
Frequently Asked Questions
UK Student Dependant Visa: FAQs
Can I bring my spouse to the UK on a taught master's degree?
No. Since 1 January 2024, students on taught master's programmes (such as MA, MSc, MBA, LLM) can no longer bring dependants to the UK. Only students enrolled in PhD, doctoral, or research-based postgraduate programmes (MPhil, MRes), or those sponsored by a government or international scholarship body for 6 months or more, are eligible to bring spouses, partners, or children. This rule applies to all new applications from 1 January 2024 onwards.
How much money do I need to show for a Student dependant visa?
You must show £845 per month per dependant regardless of location (London or outside London). This is required for up to 9 months, meaning you need approximately £7,605 per dependant. This is in ADDITION to the main student's maintenance requirement (£1,529/month London or £1,171/month outside London). The funds must be held for 28 consecutive days before your application, with the closing balance dated within 31 days of submission.
Can my spouse work in the UK on a Student dependant visa?
Yes, dependants of eligible students have full work rights in the UK with no restrictions on working hours. They can work in any role, including self-employment, freelance, multiple jobs, and starting a business. The only restrictions are that they cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach, or as a doctor/dentist in training (limited exceptions). This is significantly more permissive than the main student, who is limited to 20 hours per week during term time and prohibited from self-employment.
What documents do I need to prove my relationship for a Student spouse visa?
For married couples or civil partners, you need your official marriage or civil partnership certificate, legally recognised in the country it took place. For unmarried partners, you must provide evidence of living together for at least 2 years, including joint tenancy agreements, utility bills in both names, bank statements showing the same address, council tax bills, and official correspondence. Aim for 6+ months of evidence spread across the 2-year period — not all from the recent few months. Affidavits alone are insufficient.
How long does the Student dependant visa take to process?
Standard processing for a UK Student dependant visa typically takes around 3 weeks from the date of your biometrics appointment or ID check. Priority service (+£500) typically reduces processing to 5 working days, and Super Priority (+£1,000) to 1 working day. Processing times can vary depending on your country of application and the complexity of your case — relationship-based applications generally take longer than financial-evidence-only ones.
Can my dependant study in the UK on a Student dependant visa?
Yes, dependants on a Student dependant visa are allowed to study in the UK at any level, including primary, secondary, undergraduate, and postgraduate. There are no restrictions on the type of course they can take. However, dependants studying must use private funds — they are not eligible for "home" tuition fee status until they complete the relevant ordinary residence period. State-funded school education is available for dependant children.
What happens to my dependant visa when the main student's visa expires?
The dependant visa is tied to the main student's visa and will have the same expiry date. When the student extends their Student visa, dependants must also apply to extend at the same time. If the student switches to another visa category — such as the Graduate Route or Skilled Worker — dependants can usually apply as dependants on that new visa, subject to meeting the requirements for that category. Note that switching to most categories means losing the £776 IHS student rate; the £1,035 adult rate applies on Graduate Route and Skilled Worker.
Can I apply for a Student dependant visa if my partner is already in the UK?
Yes, you can apply for a Student dependant visa at any time while the main student holds a valid Student visa on an eligible (research/PhD) course. You do not need to apply at the same time as the main student. If the dependant is currently outside the UK, they apply for entry clearance from their home country. If the dependant is already in the UK with valid immigration status, they may be able to switch from within the UK to dependant status. You will need the main student's CAS number and visa details for the application.
Do dependants need to take English language tests?
No, English language testing is not required for Student visa dependants. The English language requirement applies only to the main Student visa applicant (CEFR B2 for degree-level courses, B1 for below-degree). Dependants do not need to provide any English language evidence at the application stage — this is a notable difference from family route visas (Spouse visa, Partner visa) which do require English language evidence from the applicant.