Applying for a Student dependant visa

  • Can you bring dependants?

    To be able to have dependants with you (partner and children), you will need to be one of the below:

    • a postgraduate student (this doesn't include premasters)  and your course is at least 9 months long
    • a government-sponsored student and then your course has to be at least six months long.
    • On the Doctorate Extension Scheme

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

    Your child/children

    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. 

    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)
    • You unmarried partner or finance 

    In all of these you would need to be in a relationship with your partner and had a period of cohabitation of at least two years prior to applying for the dependant visa. You will need to evidence this as part of your application.

    More details from UKCISA

    It is possible to switch from a Student visa to a dependant visa in the UK.

    From 5 October 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.

    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

    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.

    Do dependents 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.

    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 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.

    What financial evidence can I show?

    1. 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. The bank statements need to meet the UKVI requirements listed here

    2. 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 here

    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.