A UK dependent visa lets eligible family members — spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners cohabiting for 2+ years, and children under 18 — join a main visa holder in the UK. It is not a standalone category: the dependant applies under the same Immigration Rules appendix as the main route and receives leave matching the main applicant's. The 2026 framework carries significant restrictions — Student dependants limited to postgraduate research only, Health and Care Workers closed to new dependants, and the Appendix FM minimum income at £29,000. This guide covers eligible relationships, routes, fees, work rights, and documentary requirements.
Source: Appendix Skilled Worker, Appendix Student, Appendix Global Talent, Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules; Home Office Family Migration policy 2024 / Spring Update 2026; 8 April 2026 fees order
Four major restrictions remain in force in 2026. Student route: since January 2024 only postgraduate research students can bring dependants — taught masters and undergraduates cannot. Health and Care Worker: no new dependants since March 2024 (existing dependants keep their leave). Spouse / partner income: £29,000 since March 2024, with the planned £38,700 escalation paused. IHS: £1,035 per year per dependant. The 8 April 2026 fee revision raised Skilled Worker dependant fees to match the main applicant. The Earned Settlement consultation (closed 12 February 2026) proposed adult dependants qualify for ILR in their own right.
- What is a UK Dependent Visa? Cross-Route Framework
- UK Dependent Visa New Rules 2024–2026
- Who Qualifies as a UK Dependant? Eligible Relationships
- Child Dependent Visa UK — Age and Documentation Rules
- UK Visa Routes That Allow Dependants in 2026
- Visa Routes That Do Not Allow Dependants
- Tier 2 Dependent Visa vs Skilled Worker Dependant — Legacy Terminology
- UK Dependent Visa Requirements — Documentary Evidence
- Can UK Dependants Work? Work Rights by Route
- UK Dependent Visa Fees 2026 and Application Process
- UK Dependent Visa Refusal Reasons and Recovery
- Frequently Asked Questions
UK Dependent Visa 2026 — New Rules, Eligible Routes, and Family Member Requirements
A UK dependent visa is an extension of the main applicant's immigration permission, allowing family members to live with the main visa holder on the same terms. Each main route (Skilled Worker, Student, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, Senior or Specialist Worker, UK Ancestry, Appendix FM) has its own dependant-eligibility provisions. Dependants typically receive leave matching the main applicant's, full or near-full work rights, full NHS access (subject to IHS payment), and the right to study. The dependant's leave is conditional on the main applicant retaining valid leave — curtailment, expiry without extension, or refusal on extension puts the dependant's leave at risk.
What is a UK Dependent Visa? Cross-Route Framework
A UK dependent visa is immigration permission granted to eligible family members of a main visa holder — spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner cohabiting 2+ years, or children under 18. It is not a standalone category: the dependant applies under the same Immigration Rules appendix as the main route and receives leave matching the main applicant's. Most work-route dependants have full work rights, full NHS access (after IHS payment), and a settlement pathway after 5 years (3 years for Global Talent / Innovator Founder).
UK Dependent Visa New Rules 2024–2026
Four major restrictions since 2024 remain in force in 2026: (1) January 2024 — Student route dependants restricted to postgraduate research only; (2) March 2024 — Health and Care Worker route closed to new dependants; (3) March 2024 — Appendix FM minimum income raised to £29,000 (£38,700 escalation paused); (4) 8 April 2026 — Skilled Worker dependant fees raised to match main applicant. Earned Settlement consultation closed 12 February 2026 — adult dependant qualification rules pending.
2024–2026 Dependant Restriction Timeline
| Effective Date | Change | Affected Route |
|---|---|---|
| January 2024 | Student route dependants restricted to postgraduate research only | Student (formerly Tier 4) |
| March 2024 | Health and Care Worker visa holders cannot bring new dependants | Health and Care Worker |
| March 2024 | Spouse / partner minimum income raised £18,600 → £29,000 | Appendix FM family routes |
| 2024 onwards | £38,700 escalation paused — £29,000 remains current threshold | Appendix FM family routes |
| April 2026 (8 April) | Dependant visa fees raised to match main applicant fees across most routes | Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker (existing), Student, Global Talent, etc. |
| Pending (post-12 Feb 2026) | Earned Settlement: adult dependants may need to qualify for ILR in own right | Most settlement routes — final rules pending |
Who Qualifies as a UK Dependant? Eligible Relationships
Eligible UK dependants are: spouse or civil partner (legally married, relationship genuine and subsisting); unmarried partner (cohabiting "akin to marriage" for 2+ years before application); child under 18 (biological, adopted, or step-child; not married; not living independently); and adult dependent child over 18 in narrow disability / illness circumstances where dependency began before age 18.
| Relationship Category | Eligibility Criteria | Principal Documentary Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse / civil partner | Legally married or in UK-recognised civil partnership; relationship genuine and subsisting | Marriage / civil partnership certificate; ongoing relationship evidence |
| Unmarried partner | Cohabiting "akin to marriage" for 2+ years before application | Joint utility bills, joint tenancy / mortgage, joint bank statements, correspondence to shared address over 2+ years |
| Child under 18 (biological / adopted) | Under 18 at date of application; not married; not living independently; intending to live with main applicant | Birth certificate; adoption order (UK-recognised); parental consent letter if one parent not travelling |
| Step-child | Step-child of main applicant by marriage; under 18; not married; consent from biological parent typically required | Birth certificate; marriage certificate; biological parent consent letter |
| Adult dependent child (over 18) | Over 18; financial dependency on main applicant due to disability / illness; dependency began before applicant turned 18 | Medical evidence; financial dependency evidence; continuous dependency documentation |
Child Dependent Visa UK — Age and Documentation Rules
The UK child dependent visa is available to children under 18 at the date of application, provided the child is not married, not living independently, and intends to live with the main applicant in the UK. Biological children, legally adopted children, and step-children all qualify. Principal requirements: birth certificate (or adoption order), evidence of parental responsibility, and a notarised consent letter from the non-travelling biological parent. Children born in the UK to parents on dependent visas do not automatically receive status — a separate application is required.
Child Dependent Visa Documentary Requirements
- Birth certificate or adoption order: Full birth certificate naming both parents (or UK-recognised adoption order). Translation required if not in English
- Parental responsibility evidence: Where the child's parental responsibility position is complex (e.g. single parent, step-parent, custody arrangement), documentary evidence of parental responsibility
- Non-travelling parent consent: Notarised written consent from the biological parent who is not travelling with the child. Sole custody documentation can substitute where the non-travelling parent does not have parental responsibility
- Child's passport: Valid passport in the child's name with at least one blank page
- TB test certificate (if applicable): Required for children aged 11+ from listed TB-prevalence countries
- School / educational evidence: Where relevant, evidence of intended UK schooling or current education arrangements
- Accommodation suitability: The proposed UK accommodation must be adequate for the additional family member without becoming overcrowded
UK Visa Routes That Allow Dependants in 2026
UK routes permitting dependants in 2026: Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, Senior or Specialist Worker (GBM), Scale-up, UK Ancestry, postgraduate research Student, and Appendix FM family routes. Tier 1 Investor / Entrepreneur visas are closed to new applicants but existing holders can still bring dependants. Refugee and humanitarian protection routes have their own dependant provisions.
Routes with Dependant Permissions and Work Rights
| Main Visa Route | Dependants Allowed | Dependant Work Rights |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker sponsored employment | Yes | Full work rights (cannot work as professional sportsperson / coach) |
| Global Talent | Yes | Full work rights — no restrictions |
| Innovator Founder visa | Yes | Full work rights |
| Senior or Specialist Worker (GBM) | Yes | Full work rights |
| Scale-up | Yes | Full work rights |
| UK Ancestry visa | Yes | Full work rights |
| Student (postgraduate research only) | Yes (since Jan 2024) | Full work rights (cannot work as professional sportsperson) |
| Appendix FM (Spouse, Partner, Parent, Child) | Itself the family route | Full work rights for partner; no restrictions |
| Fiancé(e) visa | Children only (6-month route) | No work rights during 6-month engagement period |
| Tier 1 Investor / Entrepreneur (legacy) | Existing visa holders only — route closed to new applicants | Full work rights |
Visa Routes That Do Not Allow Dependants
UK routes that do not permit dependants in 2026: Health and Care Worker (closed March 2024); Student taught masters / undergraduate (restricted January 2024); Standard Visitor; Youth Mobility Scheme; Seasonal Worker; Temporary Worker (T5) routes; Short-term Study; and Graduate visa (no new dependants — only those held during prior Student visa carry forward).
Routes with No Dependant Permission
- Health and Care Worker visa (from March 2024): No new dependants — existing dependants from before March 2024 keep their leave
- Student route — taught masters and undergraduate: No dependants since January 2024 — students must be on postgraduate research programmes
- UK Standard Visitor visa: No dependant category — each family member applies for their own visitor visa
- Youth Mobility Scheme: Designed for unaccompanied applicants aged 18–35 — no dependants permitted
- Seasonal Worker visa: Short-term horticultural / poultry work — no dependant provision
- Temporary Worker (T5) — Creative and Sporting: Generally no dependants — limited exceptions for sponsored creative roles of 12+ months
- Temporary Worker (T5) — Charity Worker: No dependants
- Short-term Study visa: 6-month / 11-month English language courses — no dependants
- Graduate visa: Only existing dependants from the prior Student visa can be added; no new dependants during the Graduate route
Tier 2 Dependent Visa vs Skilled Worker Dependant — Legacy Terminology
"Tier 2 dependent visa" is the legacy name for the current Skilled Worker dependant visa. The Tier 2 General route was renamed Skilled Worker in December 2020. The substantive framework is the same: sponsored employment on a Certificate of Sponsorship, the salary requirement (the higher of the £41,700 general threshold or the occupation's going rate), English language requirement, and dependants permitted. Applicants searching for "Tier 2 dependent visa" should apply on the current Skilled Worker dependant form on gov.uk.
Tier 2 → Skilled Worker Continuity
- December 2020 — Renaming: Tier 2 General renamed Skilled Worker as part of post-Brexit PBS restructure
- Same Immigration Rules appendix: Appendix Skilled Worker — substantively continuous with the prior Tier 2 General provisions
- Same dependant categories: Spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner (2+ years), children under 18
- Same work rights: Full work rights for dependants (except professional sportsperson / coach)
- Same settlement pathway: Dependants accrue qualifying residence alongside main applicant — 5 years to ILR
- Updated 2026 fees: Dependant fees raised to match main applicant fees under the 8 April 2026 fee revision
- Existing Tier 2 dependants: Visa holders whose initial leave was granted under the old Tier 2 General route continue on the same substantive terms; renewals after 2020 use the Skilled Worker route
UK Dependent Visa Requirements — Documentary Evidence
UK dependent visa requirements: valid passport; relationship evidence (marriage / civil partnership certificate, 2+ years cohabitation documentation, or child's birth certificate); main applicant's visa details or CoS reference; financial evidence (£285 per dependant for Skilled Worker; £29,000 income for Appendix FM); accommodation evidence; TB test certificate if from listed country; biometric photographs; and application fee plus IHS payment confirmation.
Maintenance Funds Requirements by Route
| Main Applicant Route | Maintenance Funds Per Dependant | Holding Period |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder | £285 per dependant | Held for 28 consecutive days before application |
| Student route (research) | £680/month (outside London) / £845/month (London) | Held for 28 consecutive days; up to 9 months |
| Appendix FM Spouse / Partner | £29,000 minimum income + £3,800 first child + £2,400 each additional child (or savings equivalent) | 6 months prior employment / 28 days savings |
| UK Ancestry | Sufficient funds for self and dependants without recourse to public funds | Variable — case-by-case |
| Senior or Specialist Worker (GBM) | £285 per dependant (sponsor A-rated certification waives this) | 28 consecutive days |
Can UK Dependants Work? Work Rights by Route
Yes — most UK dependent visa holders have full work rights. Dependants of Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, Senior or Specialist Worker, Scale-up, UK Ancestry, postgraduate research Student visa holders, and Appendix FM family route partners can all work for any UK employer in any role, without hour restrictions. Common restrictions: no employment as a professional sportsperson or sports coach (Skilled Worker and Student dependants); no work during the 6-month Fiancé(e) visa period.
Comprehensive Rights of UK Dependants
- Work rights: Full employment in any role for any employer (with route-specific exceptions for professional sport)
- Self-employment: Most dependants can start their own business or freelance — no separate business visa required
- Study: Children can attend UK state and independent schools; adults can enrol in any UK university or further education college
- NHS healthcare: Full NHS access after the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) payment (£1,035 per year per dependant)
- Driving: Drive on home country licence for 12 months from UK arrival, then exchange or take UK driving test depending on country of issue
- Settlement pathway: ILR after 5 years on most routes (or 3 years for Global Talent / Innovator Founder dependants), then British citizenship through naturalisation 12 months later
- Right to bring further family: Generally yes — once the dependant has UK status, they can sponsor further family members under Appendix FM if the relationship qualifies
UK Dependent Visa Fees 2026 and Application Process
UK dependent visa fees from 8 April 2026 match main applicant fees in most routes. Skilled Worker dependant: £819 / £1,618 out-of-country, £943 / £1,865 in-country. Student dependant: £558. Appendix FM Spouse: £2,064 out-of-country, £1,407 in-country extension. IHS: £1,035 per year per dependant. Priority: £500 additional; Super Priority: £1,000. Apply online at gov.uk with biometric enrolment at a Visa Application Centre.
Dependant Visa Application Process — Step by Step
- Step 1 — Online application: Complete the relevant dependant application form on gov.uk under the main applicant's route (e.g. "Skilled Worker — dependant partner / child")
- Step 2 — Pay fees: Application fee plus IHS (calculated at £1,035 × years of leave applied for, per dependant)
- Step 3 — Book biometric appointment: At the Visa Application Centre nearest you (or UKVCAS for in-country)
- Step 4 — Upload supporting documents: Passport scan, relationship evidence, main applicant's visa details, financial evidence, accommodation evidence
- Step 5 — Attend biometric appointment: Submit fingerprints and photograph
- Step 6 — Wait for decision: Standard 3-8 weeks (use our standard processing target timelines guide); priority 5 working days; super priority next working day
- Step 7 — Receive decision: Email notification followed by passport return (out-of-country) with visa vignette, or eVisa publication (in-country)
- Step 8 — Travel to UK / collect status: Vignette valid 90 days; on arrival, the eVisa reflects the full leave period through the holder's UKVI account
UK Dependent Visa Refusal Reasons and Recovery
Common UK dependent visa refusal reasons: insufficient evidence of genuine and subsisting relationship; failure to meet Appendix FM £29,000 income threshold; inadequate accommodation evidence; main applicant's visa issues; incomplete documentation; or adverse immigration history. Recovery options: administrative review (14 / 28 days); tribunal appeal where Article 8 family life is engaged; fresh application; or judicial review for procedural unfairness. See our refusal notice and grounds explanation guide.
- UK dependent visas extend the main applicant's permission to eligible family members — not a standalone category
- Eligible dependants: spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner (2+ years cohabitation), children under 18
- Student route dependants restricted to postgraduate research only since January 2024
- Health and Care Worker route dependants closed since March 2024 for new applicants
- Spouse / partner Appendix FM minimum income £29,000 since March 2024; £38,700 escalation paused
- Skilled Worker dependant fees raised 8 April 2026 to match main applicant (£819 / £1,618 out-of-country)
- IHS £1,035 per year per dependant — added in full to the application
- Full work rights for most dependants on work routes — no employer or hour restrictions
- "Tier 2 dependent visa" is the legacy name for the current Skilled Worker dependant — route renamed December 2020
- Dependants accrue qualifying residence alongside main applicant — 5 years to ILR on most routes
- Earned Settlement consultation (closed 12 Feb 2026) proposed adult dependants must qualify for ILR in their own right — final rules pending
A UK dependent visa is immigration permission granted to eligible family members — the spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner cohabiting for 2+ years, or children under 18 — of a main UK visa holder. The dependant applies under the same Immigration Rules appendix as the main route and receives leave matching the main applicant's. Dependants typically have full work rights, NHS access after IHS payment, the right to study, and a pathway to ILR after 5 years (3 years for Global Talent / Innovator Founder).
Four major restrictions remain in force in 2026: (1) January 2024 — Student route dependants restricted to postgraduate research only; (2) March 2024 — Health and Care Worker visa holders cannot bring new dependants; (3) March 2024 — Spouse / partner minimum income raised to £29,000 (£38,700 escalation paused); (4) 8 April 2026 — Skilled Worker dependant fees raised to match main applicant. The Earned Settlement consultation (closed 12 February 2026) proposed adult dependants must qualify for ILR in their own right — implementation pending.
Eligible UK dependants are: (1) spouse or civil partner — legally married with a genuine and subsisting relationship; (2) unmarried partner — cohabiting "akin to marriage" for at least 2 years before the application; (3) child under 18 — biological, adopted, or step-child, not married and not living independently; (4) adult dependent child over 18 — only in narrow circumstances where financially dependent due to disability or illness, with dependency beginning before age 18.
The UK child dependent visa is available to children under 18 at the date of application. The child must not be married, must not be living independently, and must intend to live with the main applicant in the UK. Biological, legally adopted, and step-children all qualify. Adult children over 18 may qualify only in narrow disability / illness circumstances where dependency began before age 18. Children born in the UK to parents on dependent visas do not automatically receive status — a separate application is required.
UK routes permitting dependants in 2026: Skilled Worker (formerly Tier 2 General); Global Talent; Innovator Founder; Senior or Specialist Worker (GBM); Scale-up; UK Ancestry; Student route postgraduate research only; Appendix FM family routes; and existing Tier 1 Investor / Entrepreneur holders. Routes that do not permit dependants: Standard Visitor, Youth Mobility Scheme, Seasonal Worker, Temporary Worker (T5), Short-term Study, Student taught masters / undergraduate, and Health and Care Worker.
Yes — most UK dependent visa holders have full work rights. Dependants of Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, Senior or Specialist Worker, Scale-up, UK Ancestry, postgraduate research Student visa holders, and Appendix FM partners can work for any UK employer in any role, without hour restrictions. Common restrictions: no employment as a professional sportsperson or sports coach (Skilled Worker and Student dependants); no work during the 6-month Fiancé(e) visa period before marriage.
"Tier 2 dependent visa" is the legacy name for the Skilled Worker dependant visa. Tier 2 General was renamed Skilled Worker in December 2020 as part of the post-Brexit Points-Based System restructure. The substantive framework is the same — sponsored employment on a Certificate of Sponsorship, salary threshold requirements, English language requirement, and dependants permitted to accompany the main applicant. Renewals and new applications since December 2020 use the current Skilled Worker form on gov.uk.
UK dependent visa fees from 8 April 2026 match main applicant fees in most routes. Skilled Worker dependant: £819 / £1,618 out-of-country, £943 / £1,865 in-country. Student dependant: £558. Appendix FM Spouse: £2,064 out-of-country, £1,407 in-country extension. IHS is £1,035 per year per dependant. Priority service costs £500 additional; super priority £1,000. A Skilled Worker dependant accompanying a 3-year main visa: approximately £819 + (£1,035 × 3) = £3,924 per dependant.
Standard UK dependent visa processing takes approximately 3 to 8 weeks from the biometric appointment date for out-of-country applications. In-country applications can take up to 8 weeks at standard service. Priority service (£500 additional) provides decisions within 5 working days; super priority (£1,000 additional) offers next working day decisions where available. Processing times vary based on country of application, document complexity, and whether additional security checks are required.
Yes, in many cases. You can apply to switch or extend a dependent visa from within the UK if you have valid immigration permission that permits switching. Common in-country dependant applications include extending Skilled Worker dependant leave alongside the main applicant's extension, or switching from Student dependant to Skilled Worker dependant. You cannot switch into dependant status from a Standard Visitor visa, Short-term Study visa, or some Temporary Worker (T5) categories. Always submit in-country applications before your current leave expires.
For the formal Immigration Rules dependant frameworks across the major routes, see Appendix Skilled Worker, Appendix Student, and Appendix FM — Family Members. For the official application portal, see the GOV.UK apply for a UK visa page.