UK Dependent Visa

VISA APPLICATIONS FOR DEPENDANTS OUTSIDE THE UK 

Your dependents can apply for immigration permission to join or remain with you only if:

• You are government-sponsored and your course is over six months long OR  

• You are doing a Research postgraduate level course of 12 months or longer at a Higher Education Institution

• The Uk has stopped dependent visas for many courses, so it is advisable to check if you are eligible for a dependent visa.

The only family members who can make applications as your 'dependants' are: 

- your husband/wife/civil partner/unmarried partner and children under 18 years of age. Your parent, brother, sister or other relative cannot.

You should only apply for a dependant visa if your dependant(s) are coming to live with you in the UK for the duration of your studies. If they will remain in your home country and only visit you occasionally, they should apply for a Standard Visitor visa. 

For most countries, it is recommended that applications are made eight weeks before the planned date of departure, but not more than three months. 

Please note that there is a requirement to provide biometric information (finger scans and a full-face digital photograph) and in some countries, Tuberculosis (TB) screening is required. Check if your country is applicable for TB Screening at https://www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa/countries-where-you-need-a-tb-test-to-enter-the-uk   

If you are staying in University halls, you will not be allowed to bring your dependents to stay until you have found suitable family accommodation. 

As a general guide, the main requirements for a Tier 4 Dependant visa are listed here, but please check when you are applying as each Visa Application Centre has its own requirements. 

Further information can be found on the following websites: 

www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/family-members  

www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Visas-and-Immigration/Dependants  

Financial Requirements

Student dependants who apply for Student dependant permission from within the UK and who have been living in the UK with immigration permission or 12 months or longer when they apply do not need to meet the financial requirements. The immigration permission can have been in any immigration category BUT see our information about those who cannot make a dependant immigration application from within the UK 

If they do not meet the criteria above, each dependant must have a certain amount of money, held in a bank or building society account, or an account with an officially regulated financial institution. All dependants will need to have evidence of this, and in many cases, your dependant must produce this evidence with their immigration application.

Since the Rules were updated on 5 October 2020, they have stated that: "The funds must be in addition to the funds required for the Student to meet the financial requirement, and the funds required to meet the financial requirement for any dependent child who is applying at the same time, or is already in the UK as a dependent child of the Student." It used to clearly say that this was only a requirement when your dependants were applying at the same time as you. We are querying this with the Home Office. However, the gov.uk webpage says: "If your partner or child is applying at a different time to you (they’re applying separately) they only need to prove they have money to support themselves.". As webpages can change without warning, it is a good idea, if you are relying on this, to check before you make your application that this sentence is still there and save a screenshot of it on the day you apply. 

The money can be held by the dependant or by you. If the dependant is your child, the funds can be held by the child’s other parent who either has, or is being granted, immigration permission (other than as a visitor) at the same time as the child. 

The money must have been in the account for a minimum period of 28 consecutive days up to the date of the closing balance. The account must not have dropped below the amount required at any time during the 28 day period. Also, the final date of this 28 day period must not be more than 31 days before the immigration application is made.

There is an exception to this requirement if a government, the British Council, an international organisation, an international company a university, or an independent school is giving you money to cover your course fees or living costs. In that case, ask if they are prepared to give you a letter stating that they will cover the full maintenance costs of your dependant. If they will, then that letter on its own will mean that your dependant has met the financial requirements. There will be no requirement for them to show that they have any money at all in a bank or building society account, or in an account with an officially regulated financial institution. There are precise instructions about the format the letter must take in the Student and Child guidance. Make sure the letter complies with every one of those instructions. 

Each dependant must declare in their application that the money for living costs will remain available to them, unless used for living costs in the UK. 

If in the 12 months before the date of application any of your dependants have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship by a Government or international scholarship agency covering both fees and living costs for study in the UK, they must provide written consent to the application from that Government or agency.

How much money?

If your dependant is required to meet the financial requirements (see above for information about dependants who have been in the UK for 12 months or longer) the amount of money that each dependant must show is as follows:

• If you will study in London, each dependant must show £845 for each month of immigration permission you have been granted (if your dependants are applying after you have received your permission) or will be granted (if your dependants are applying at the same time as you). This is up to a maximum of 9 months (therefore, a maximum figure of £7,605). The definition of 'London' for these purposes is complicated, so check with your college or university whether or not you will be considered to be studying in London.

• If you will study somewhere other than London, each dependant must show £680 for each month of immigration permission you have been granted (if your dependants are applying after you have received your permission) or will be granted (if your dependants are applying at the same time as you). This is up to a maximum of 9 months (therefore, a maximum figure of £6,120).

The number of months of immigration permission granted to a Student depends on the type, and length, of the course. The Student and Child guidance explains the length of immigration permission a Student will receive.

Applying outside the UK

Your dependents must apply for 'entry clearance' from the British authorities in the country in which they are legally residing before they travel to the UK. 

Each dependant must complete a separate application form, and pay a fee which is the equivalent of £348 in local currency. In some countries, the British authorities offer extra services which are optional. If your dependants choose to use these extra services, they will be charged additional fees.

They need to apply online (unless they are applying in North Korea, in which case they need to print off and fill in the application form VAF10).

They will need to know your course details and Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies’ (CAS) number in order to complete the application form.

Before starting the application, your dependant should read information for family members on the Home Office website, and especially the Student and Child guidance

If your dependant's application is successful, a vignette (sticker) will be placed in their passport. If they are being given immigration permission for more than six months, the vignette will only be valid for 30 days. They will have to enter the UK within that 30-day period, and then collect a biometric residence permit from a post office within 10 days of arriving in the UK. The letter that they receive with the vignette tells them how to do this. If your dependant applied for their entry clearance at the same time as you, then in some cases they might be allowed to collect their biometric residence permit from your university or college instead of from a post office (ask your university or college if this is possible). 

If your dependant is being given immigration permission for six months or less, the vignette (sticker) in their passport will last for the whole period. It will not expire after 30 days.

Family members visiting you

A member of your family may wish to come to the UK for a short visit.  This may be because, for example:

• they are your child but are already over 18, your parent, your brother or sister, or another type of relative who is not permitted to come to the UK as your Student dependant

• they are your partner or child, but your course is not one that permits you to bring dependants

• they are your partner or child, but choose not to come to the UK for a longer stay as your dependant 

• they are coming for a specific purpose, such as your graduation or another event, or for tourism, or simply for a short family visit

• If your family member wishes to come to the UK for a period of up to six months only, they may qualify to come as a 'visitor (standard)'. It is compulsory for anyone who is a 'visa national' to apply for entry clearance (a visa) from the British authorities before they travel to the UK, even if they are coming for six months or less (use this web tool to see if your family members are 'visa nationals').