Dependant visas

Announcement

Changes to dependant visas for international students

On 17 July 2023 the UK Government introduced changes to the student route visa which mean that from January 2024 only students studying PhD or research based higher degrees, or that are financially sponsored by the UK or an Overseas Government, can bring dependents with them to the UK.

Who can apply as a dependant?

If you start your course in September 2023 (or if you have started your course earlier), you will be able to have dependants with you (partner and children), if one of the below applies to you:

You are a postgraduate student (this doesn't include premasters) and your course is at least 9 months long
You are a UK or Overseas government-sponsored student and then your course has to be at least six months long

If you start a course from 1 January 2024, you will be able to have dependants with you (partner and children), if one of the below applies to you:

You are going to study a PhD course, other doctoral qualification, or a research-based higher degree (this doesn't include taught master students) - if you are unsure whether your course meet this requirement, please contact ISAT
You are a UK or Overseas government-sponsored student and then your course has to be at least six months long

If you do not meet the above requirements, then your family will only be able to visit you for short periods of time with a Visitor visa.

More information about the changes on this UKCISA webpage.

If I started my course in September 2023 or before, can my dependants apply for dependant visa after January 2024?

The changes introduced on 17 July only affect those starting a course from 1 January 2024. If you started your postgraduate course in September 2023 or earlier (and all the other requirements are met), you will still be able to have dependants to join you in the UK after January 2024.

Can my dependants extend their visa to stay in the UK if I need more time to complete my course?

Your dependants can extend their visa if they are already in the UK and you are granted an extension of your student visa to complete your studies.

Who can be your dependant?

Your partner

Your partner can be:

your husband or wife
your civil partner (civil partners are same or opposite sex couples who have registered their partnership therefore have gained formal, legal recognition of their relationship)
your unmarried partner or same-sex partner. You would need to be in a relationship with your partner and had a period of cohabitation of at least 2 years prior to applying for the dependant visa. You will need to evidence this as part of your application.

In all these cases, you must be both 18 years old (or older) at the time you apply for the immigration status and you both must intend to live together in the UK.

Your child/children

If your child is applying for the dependant visa for the first time, they must be younger than 18 years old at the time of the application and they must not be leading an independent life.

If you have a child dependant then the other parent must also be with you in the UK unless:

you are the sole surviving parent, or
you have had sole responsibility for the child's upbringing, or
there are other serious or compelling reasons and suitable arrangements have been made in the UK for the child's care.

When here with child dependants, the other parent cannot be here with a visitor visa.

Applying for a Student dependant visa

When to apply

A dependant can apply at the same time as the student or after. The dependant visa end date should match the end date of the Student visa. If applying in the UK, then the dependant must apply before their current visa end date.

How to apply in the UK

Use the UKVI Student visa application form if you are applying at the same time as your dependant. The application form will ask if you want to add a dependant partner or children to your application. See more information about completing the Student visa application form.
Use the UKVI Dependant Partner online application form if your dependant partner is applying after you have already applied. Dependant children can also be added to this form.
Use the UKVI Dependant Child online application form if your dependant child is applying after you and not at the same time as your partner.

Your dependant cannot apply in the UK if they are on immigration bail or if their latest immigration permission was one of the following:

as a visitor; or
as a short-term student; or
as a parent of a Student/Tier 4 (Child); or
as a Seasonal Worker; or
as a Domestic Worker in a Private Household; or
outside the Immigration Rules.

How to apply outside the UK

Use the UKVI Dependant online application form to apply outside the UK.
If you are applying in North Korea, download and print the latest VAF 10 (PDF) dependants form.

Frequently asked questions

What are the visa application fees for dependants?

The visa application fee for dependants applying outside the UK is £363.

The visa application fee for dependants applying inside the UK is £490.

Those on a Student dependant visa will need to pay the same amount of Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as the student which is £470 per year (£235 for a part of a year less than six months). You can check how much you should be charged for the IHS (UKVI).

How much money you need to evidence and who can have it

1. Do dependants need to show financial evidence to apply?

Most dependants need enough money in their bank account. The only time dependants don't need this is if they are currently on a valid visa, they are applying for the dependant visa in the UK and they have been in the UK for 12 months or longer. Please check with ISAT if your dependants are in this situation.

If both the Student and the dependant are from a country that qualifies for differential arrangements (listed under paragraph 22.1 of Appendix Student in the Immigration rules) then dependants are not required to provide financial evidence with their visa application. However, the dependants should ensure that they have this evidence as they may be asked to provide it whilst their application is being processed. If they are unable to provide it their visa will be refused.

Dependant will only qualify for differential arrangements if:

They are applying at the same time and in the same location as the Student AND
They are applying from the country of their nationality or where they are resident, or they are applying inside the UK.

2. How much money do I need to have?

If you need to show financial evidence, each dependant needs to show £680 a month for living costs for each month (£845 if studying in London) of their visa up to a maximum of nine months. The visa will be valid for up to one month before the start of the course and up to 4 months after the course. ISAT are happy to calculate how long the dependant's visa will be valid and the amount of money they need to show.

3. What financial evidence can I show?

Bank statements from either the student or the dependant. If the dependant is your child, they can also use the child's other parent's bank accounts as long as they are also have or are applying for a UK visa (except visitor visa). If the dependant is applying at the same time as the student, the dependant's account can be used for both. See the bank statements need to meet the UKVI requirements listed.
Sponsorship letter that states the sponsorship will cover living costs for the Student’s dependants and which names those dependants. The letter needs to meet the same requirements as the student listed.

The living costs for a dependant partner can be shown by the Student or the dependant. If the Student is applying at the same time as the Dependant, the Dependant can show funds for both the Student and the Dependant.

Please note: dependants cannot use the Students' parents, or their own parents funds. Dependants can only use money in their name or the name of the student they are applying with.

Switching between a Student visa and dependant visa

It is possible to switch from a Student visa to a dependant visa in the UK and, viceversa, you can switch from a dependant to Student visa in the UK.

It is not possible to switch from a Visitor visa to a dependant visa in the UK.

Check with ISAT for details if you and/or your partner are switching between Student and dependant visas.