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.
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.
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.
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.