Requirements for Dependent Visa in UK: Your Complete Guide

Thinking about moving to the UK for work or study is exciting, but it's natural to wonder, "Can my family come with me?" The answer often lies in the UK Dependent Visa, a specific immigration path designed to keep families together.

Think of it as a companion visa. It's not a standalone ticket to the UK; instead, it's tethered to the main visa holder—the person with the Skilled Worker, Student, or other primary visa. Its entire purpose is to allow your closest family members to join you for the duration of your stay.

While the UK government supports the principle of family unity, it also has a strict framework to ensure it works. Every application essentially has to answer two fundamental questions for the Home Office: Is your relationship genuine? And can you support yourselves financially without relying on public funds? Get those two things right, and you're well on your way.

So, Who Actually Counts as a Dependant?

The term 'dependant' has a very specific meaning in UK immigration rules, and it doesn't cover every relative. For most visa routes, the Home Office will only consider your immediate family.

Here’s a breakdown of who typically qualifies:

• Your spouse or civil partner: This is your legally recognised partner.
• Your unmarried partner: You must be able to prove you've been in a serious relationship, living together like a married couple, for at least two years.
• Your child under the age of 18: This includes biological, adopted, or step-children who are not married or living independently.
• Your child over the age of 18: This is quite rare and usually only applies if they are already in the UK as your dependant and haven't started their own independent life.

It's important to realise that other family members, like elderly parents or siblings, don't fall under this route. They come under the 'Adult Dependant Relative' category, which has exceptionally stringent requirements and is notoriously difficult to get approved.

Dependent Categories and Key Conditions at a Glance

To make this clearer, this table gives a quick overview of the main dependent types and the core conditions they need to meet.

Dependent Type	Common Age or Status Requirement	Core Condition to Prove
Spouse or Civil Partner	Legally married or in a civil partnership	Genuine and subsisting relationship
Unmarried Partner	In a relationship for at least 2 years	Relationship akin to marriage, with evidence of cohabitation
Child Under 18	Below 18 years old	Not living an independent life; relationship to parent
Child Over 18	Already in the UK as a dependant	Continued dependency; not formed an independent family

Think of this table as your starting point. The specific evidence you'll need can vary quite a bit.

The crucial thing to remember is that the exact requirements for a dependent visa in the UK are not one-size-fits-all. They shift depending on the main visa holder's category. For instance, the financial proof needed for a Skilled Worker's family is different from that required for a student's family. We'll dive into those specific details as we go through this guide.

Who Can Apply as a Dependant

Figuring out who actually qualifies as a 'dependant' is one of the first and most critical hurdles in your UK immigration journey. The Home Office has very clear, strict definitions for who makes the cut, and your entire application rides on proving your family relationships meet their standards.

Think of it like you're building a legal case for your family to be together. Every document, every piece of evidence, is another brick in that foundation. The UK government's rules are there to make sure relationships are real and ongoing, not just for show. They mainly recognise partners and children, so let’s get into the specifics of what that means.

Spouses and Civil Partners

If you're legally married to the main visa holder or are in a civil partnership, you're in a strong position to apply as a dependant. While this might seem like the most straightforward path, you'll still need to back it up with solid proof.

Your main job here is to show that your relationship is both genuine and subsisting. In plain English, this means it’s a real, living relationship, not a marriage of convenience set up to get a visa. The Home Office will want to see evidence of your shared life and commitment, going well beyond just the marriage certificate itself.

Unmarried Partners: The Two-Year Rule

What if you're not married or in a civil partnership? You can still apply as a dependant, but the rules are much more specific. To qualify, you must prove you’ve been in a relationship that's like a marriage and have been living together for at least two years right before you apply.

This two-year cohabitation rule is non-negotiable. The Home Office needs to see undeniable proof that you have shared a home and a life continuously for that period. It’s not enough to have simply been a couple for two years; the proof of living at the same address is what counts.

Key Takeaway: For unmarried partners, the focus is squarely on proving you've lived together. Any gaps in that two-year timeline, even if you were still together as a couple, can seriously complicate your application. You need consistent evidence covering the full 24 months.

Building a strong case means gathering documents that place you both at the same address over time. Think joint tenancy agreements, council tax bills in both names, or separate official letters sent to each of you at the same home.

Dependent Children Under 18

Generally, children under 18 can join their parent(s) in the UK as dependants. This covers biological children, stepchildren, and legally adopted children.

The key conditions for a child dependant are pretty clear-cut:

• They must be under 18 years old on the day the application is submitted.
• They cannot be married, in a civil partnership, or living an independent life.
• Usually, they have to apply with both parents, unless one parent has been given sole responsibility for their upbringing.

If only one parent is applying with the child, you’ll likely need a formal letter of consent from the other parent. Alternatively, you'd need to provide legal evidence showing you have sole responsibility for the child’s welfare. The system is designed to protect the child's best interests, which is a core part of the broader UK immigration framework. You can learn more by reading about the new UK immigration white paper and what every Nigerian should know.

Children Over 18 and Other Relatives

Trying to bring an adult child or another relative, like a parent, is incredibly challenging through the standard dependant route. Frankly, the chances are very slim.

A child over 18 might only qualify if they were first granted a visa as your dependant when they were under 18 and have stayed in the UK with you as a dependant ever since. They must not have started their own independent life or family.

For other family members, such as elderly parents or siblings, the correct (and extremely difficult) route is the 'Adult Dependant Relative' visa. The bar for this is set incredibly high. You must prove the relative needs long-term personal care because of age or illness—care they simply cannot get in their home country. Success rates for this visa are notoriously low, so it’s vital to be realistic about this option.

Meeting the Financial Requirements

Once you’ve shown your relationship is the real deal, you’ll face the next major hurdle: the financial requirement. For many, this is the most daunting part of the entire visa process, but it’s much less intimidating once you grasp the simple logic behind it. Essentially, the UK government needs solid proof that you can support your family without relying on public funds or benefits.

Think of it as building a financial safety net for your first month in the UK. It’s a one-off check to ensure you can cover your initial living costs before the main visa holder starts drawing their regular salary. Make no mistake, meeting this requirement is a non-negotiable part of securing a dependent visa.

The specific amount you need to show, often called maintenance funds, isn't one-size-fits-all. It varies based on the main applicant's visa category. A family joining someone on a Skilled Worker visa will have a different financial target than one joining a student.

How to Calculate Your Maintenance Funds

Working out what you need is actually quite straightforward once you have the right figures for your visa route. You simply need to have a set amount of money available for each dependant you're bringing with you.

These are the typical maintenance funds you'll need to prove you have for each family member, on top of any funds the main applicant needs for themselves:

• For your partner (spouse or unmarried partner): £285
• For your first child: £315
• For each additional child: £200

Let's walk through a quick example to see it in action.

Scenario: A Skilled Worker is moving to the UK with their partner and two children.

1. Funds for the Partner: £285
2. Funds for the First Child: £315
3. Funds for the Second Child: £200

Total required for dependants = £285 + £315 + £200 = £800

This £800 is the amount the family must have in savings, in addition to the £1,270 the main Skilled Worker applicant needs to show. So, the grand total for the entire family would be £2,070.

The Critical 28-Day Rule

Now, it’s not just about having the money; you have to prove you’ve held it consistently. This brings us to the all-important 28-day rule.

The funds you rely on for your application must have been in your bank account (or your partner's) for at least 28 consecutive days. The final day of this 28-day period must be within 31 days of when you submit your application.

This rule is the Home Office's way of verifying that the money is genuinely yours and not just a last-minute loan to tick a box. The balance in your account cannot dip below the required amount for even a single day during that 28-day window.

The focus on financial stability has intensified for a reason. Statistics show a staggering 360% surge in dependent family members joining Skilled Workers between 2021 and 2023, growing from around 55,200 to over 254,100 people. This boom, with Nigerian nationals being a significant part of this group, has prompted closer scrutiny to ensure families can stand on their own two feet from day one.

A Major Exception: The Employer Certification

What if you're struggling to pull together that much in savings? Don't panic. There's a huge exception that can wipe away the need to show personal maintenance funds entirely.

If the main applicant holds a Skilled Worker visa, their employer can certify maintenance for the whole family. If the sponsor ticks the right box on the main applicant’s Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), confirming they will "certify maintenance" for dependants, you don’t have to provide any bank statements at all.

This is a game-changer. It means the employer is effectively guaranteeing to the Home Office that they will cover the family's costs if needed, removing the burden from you. Always check the CoS meticulously to see if the employer has provided this support. It’s one of those crucial details in the immigration maze, so staying informed on the latest policies is key. For more on this, you can check our guide to the UK immigration new rules.

Getting your financial proof in order is a methodical process. By understanding the amounts, respecting the 28-day rule, and checking for that all-important employer certification, you can tackle this stage of your application with confidence.

Gathering Your Essential Documents

Think of your UK dependent visa application as building a case. Every document you provide is a piece of evidence, and the stronger your evidence, the stronger your case. Getting this part right from the start is genuinely the best way to avoid frustrating delays or even an outright refusal.

Let's walk through your definitive checklist. We'll cover everything you'll need, from the absolute must-haves for everyone to the specific paperwork required to prove your relationship and financial standing. It’s all about being methodical and leaving no room for doubt.

Universal Must-Haves for All Dependants

First things first, there are a few core documents that every single dependant needs to provide. These are the absolute fundamentals of your application, no matter who you are.

• A current passport or other valid travel document: Make sure it has at least one completely blank page for the visa sticker and is valid for the whole time you plan to be in the UK.
• Biometric information: This is a standard part of the process where you’ll have your fingerprints scanned and a digital photo taken. This happens at a designated visa application centre after you submit your online form.
• Your Tuberculosis (TB) test results: This is only mandatory if you're applying from a country on the UK Home Office's list. You can't just go to any clinic; it must be one they have officially approved.

Without these three items, your application is a non-starter.

Proving Your Relationship The Right Way

This is where you show the Home Office that your connection to the main visa holder is real and ongoing. The exact documents you'll need will hinge on your relationship.

For spouses and civil partners, your marriage or civil partnership certificate is the star of the show. But don't stop there. You need to back it up with other evidence that proves you share a life together and that the relationship is genuine.

For unmarried partners, the goal is to prove you've been living together, in a relationship akin to marriage, for at least two years. This requires solid proof that you've both been at the same address for the entire 24-month period right before you apply.

Crucial Tip: Never rely on just one type of document to prove cohabitation. The most convincing applications build a timeline using a mix of sources. For instance, you could use a joint tenancy agreement alongside individual bank statements and utility bills that were all sent to the same address over the two-year period.

For dependent children, you’ll need to supply:

1. A full birth certificate that clearly lists the names of both parents.
2. Proof of your relationship to the main applicant (e.g., the parent's marriage certificate if applicable).
3. A letter of consent from the parent who isn't applying, confirming they give permission for the child to travel to and live in the UK. This is a big one if one parent is staying behind.

Financial and Accommodation Evidence

As we've touched on, showing you can support yourselves without relying on public funds is non-negotiable. You’ll need to provide bank statements that satisfy the strict 28-day rule. These statements must be in the right format, showing the account holder's name, the bank's details, the statement date, and the all-important balance.

You might also be asked for proof of suitable accommodation in the UK. This could be a tenancy agreement, a property deed, or even just a letter from a landlord or the property owner confirming you have a place to stay.

Pulling all this together can feel like a mountain of paperwork, but if you take it step-by-step, it's perfectly manageable. For those applying from Nigeria, it's also wise to get familiar with the broader UK visa requirements for Nigerian citizens to ensure you're ticking every box. By carefully collecting and organising each document, you’re not just submitting an application; you're building a compelling case for a successful outcome.

Navigating the Application Process Step by Step

Alright, you’ve got all your documents in a neat pile. Now for the main event: the application itself. It can feel like you’re trying to solve a puzzle, but trust me, countless people have walked this path before you. Let’s break it down into simple, manageable stages so you can move forward with confidence, from the first click on the form to the final decision.

The whole process is quite logical. It's designed to gather your details, fees, and biometrics in an organised fashion. The key is to follow the instructions carefully and understand what’s needed at each point.

Stage 1: Completing the Online Application Form

Everything kicks off with the official online application form on the GOV.UK website. This is where you’ll put in all the personal details for the dependant and link them to the main visa holder they're joining. Take your time here. Be methodical, and double-check every single entry. A simple typo can cause frustrating delays down the line.

The form is smart; the questions it asks will change based on your previous answers. Honesty and consistency are absolutely crucial. Make sure the information you enter perfectly matches the evidence you've gathered in your documents.

Stage 2: Paying the Necessary Fees

Once you’ve submitted the online form, you’ll be taken to the payment section. This isn't just one fee; you’ll need to cover two separate, mandatory costs:

1. The Visa Application Fee: This is the standard charge for processing your application. The exact amount will depend on the visa route and whether you're applying from inside or outside the UK.
2. The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): This is a non-negotiable payment that gives dependants access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). The total you pay is calculated based on how long the visa will be valid.

You have to pay both of these fees online to proceed. If you don't, your application simply won't move forward. The IHS, in particular, is a common stumbling block—failing to pay the correct amount often leads to applications being put on hold.

This image lays out the core steps for getting your application submitted.

This flow—from form to fees to biometrics—is the standard procedure for nearly all UK visa applications. It creates a clear, structured pathway for everyone applying.

Stage 3: The Biometric Appointment

After you’ve paid, it's time to book an appointment at a visa application centre (VAC). This is where you’ll provide your biometrics, which is just a formal way of saying your fingerprints and a digital photograph. It’s a very straightforward but mandatory step to verify your identity.

At this appointment, you'll also hand over your supporting documents. Some centres will scan everything for you, while others will ask you to upload the documents yourself online before you arrive. Just make sure to follow the specific instructions from your chosen VAC to the letter.

Key Insight: The biometric appointment is what officially ties your identity to your application. Think of it as the final security check before your case file lands on the desk of a Home Office decision-maker for review.

Stage 4: Waiting for a Decision and Next Steps

Once your biometrics are in the system, the waiting game begins. How long you wait can vary quite a bit, depending on the visa category, where you're applying from, and how busy they are.

And they are very busy. Recent UK immigration data shows that a staggering 260,392 work dependant visas were issued in the year ending June 2024. An incredible 69% of these were for dependants of Health and Care Workers, highlighting the massive role that families, including many from Nigeria, play in supporting this vital UK sector. You can dig into these numbers yourself by exploring the latest UK visa statistics from Smith Stone Walters.

Often, you'll have the option of a standard service or a paid priority service for a quicker decision. If your application is approved, you’ll get a visa sticker (known as a vignette) in your passport, which is valid for 90 days. That’s your green light to travel. Once you arrive in the UK, you must collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)—the physical card that acts as your official visa for your entire stay.

Answering Your Common Questions

The road to getting a UK dependent visa often has a few twists and turns. As you get deeper into the process, you’ll naturally start wondering about specific "what if" scenarios. It's completely normal. To give you some clarity and peace of mind, we’ve put together answers to the questions we hear most often from applicants just like you.

Think of this as your go-to guide for clearing up any confusion around big topics like work rights, application timing, and who you can actually bring with you. Let's get straight into the details that really matter.

Can My Dependant Work in the UK?

This is a huge question for families trying to map out their finances, and the answer, for the most part, is a big 'yes'. In the vast majority of cases, especially when the main visa holder is on a work route like the Skilled Worker visa, their dependant has the full right to work in the UK.

This means your partner can take on almost any job they want, whether it's full-time or part-time, and they won't need their own sponsorship. It’s a game-changer that offers incredible flexibility for your family's new life.

Really, the only major restriction is that they usually can't work as a professional sportsperson or coach. Any specific conditions will be clearly stated on their Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), but for most families, the door to employment is wide open.

What Happens if the Main Visa Is Refused?

It’s crucial to understand this point: a dependent visa is completely tied to the main applicant's visa. You can think of them as a package deal. If the main application is turned down for any reason, any linked dependent applications will be refused automatically.

In this situation, the Home Office doesn't consider the dependant’s application on its own merits. The logic is straightforward: if the person they are supposed to be 'dependent' on doesn't have a valid visa, then there's no visa for them to be dependent upon.

If this happens, the very first thing to do is carefully read the refusal letter for the main applicant. It will spell out exactly why the decision was made. From there, your options might include an administrative review if there was a clear mistake, or more likely, preparing a much stronger application that directly tackles the points raised in the refusal. This just goes to show why making sure the main applicant's case is rock-solid is the most important step of all.

Do We Have to Apply at the Same Time?

The good news is you have a lot of flexibility here, which can really help when you're planning a big move. Dependants are not forced to apply at the exact same time as the main applicant.

You've got two main choices:

1. Apply Together: You can submit all applications—for the main applicant and all dependants—at the same time. This is often the simplest and most efficient way to do it.
2. Apply Later: The other option is for dependants to apply at a later date to 'join' the main applicant who is already in the UK. This is a very common choice for families who need to stagger their move for work, school, or other personal reasons.

The key thing to remember is that the requirements for a dependent visa in the UK are exactly the same no matter when you apply. You will still need to provide all the same proof of your relationship and financial evidence, whether you apply together or months down the line.

Can I Bring My Parents as Dependants?

This question comes up all the time and is a source of major confusion. For most visa routes, including the popular Skilled Worker visa, the simple answer is no—you cannot bring your parents as your dependants under this category.

The rules for partners and children are in a completely different world from those for 'adult dependent relatives,' which is the official category parents would fall into. The bar for this route is set incredibly high, making it one of the most difficult UK visas to get.

To have any chance of success, you must prove that your parent or elderly relative needs a level of long-term personal care because of their age or an illness. On top of that, you have to show that this specific care is not available or affordable for them back in their home country. This is an extremely tough threshold to meet, and very few applications are successful.

It's vital to get your head around this distinction early on to avoid pouring time and money into a path with a very low chance of success. The dependent visa route is squarely focused on spouses, partners, and children.

The landscape for these family-related visas reflects tightening immigration controls. For instance, recent Home Office data for the year ending March 2025 showed that 76,000 family-related visas were granted, a slight drop from the previous year. This figure, encompassing various family categories including dependants, is influenced by policy shifts like the one in January 2024 that restricted most international students from bringing family, causing an 83% drop in student dependant visas compared to the prior year. These statistics, affecting applicants from Nigeria and elsewhere, show how critical it is to meet the specific requirements for a dependent visa in the UK for the correct category. For a deeper look into these trends, you can explore the latest UK immigration statistics from Laura Devine Immigration.

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