Dependant Visa Uk Requirements: Your Quick Guide

So, you’ve landed that dream job or secured a place at a UK university. Fantastic news! But what about your family back in Nigeria? Starting a new life in the UK is an incredible opportunity, but for many, it only feels complete when loved ones can share in the journey.

The good news is that the UK immigration system allows for this. The core dependant visa UK requirements hinge on a few key things: you, the main visa holder, must have a valid visa (like a Skilled Worker or Student visa), you need to prove your relationship is genuine, and you must show you can support your family financially without relying on public funds.

Bringing Your Family to the UK From Nigeria

Let's paint a picture. You've just received your visa to work as a software developer in Manchester. The excitement is real, but your very next thought is probably, "How do I get my husband and our two kids here from Lagos?" It’s the single most common question we hear, and this guide is here to give you the answers.

We're going to cut through the jargon and confusing rules to give you a clear, straightforward roadmap for the UK dependant visa. This is the official route that allows your partner and children to join you while you work or study. Getting a handle on these rules is your first big step to reuniting your family on UK soil.

If you want a broader look at the entire process, our detailed article on UK visa requirements for Nigerian citizens is a great place to start.

What to Expect in This Guide

Our goal is to walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, so you feel confident and prepared. We'll cover everything from who actually counts as a 'dependant' in the eyes of the Home Office to the nitty-gritty of the documents you’ll need from Nigeria.

We're focusing on practical advice you can actually use. After all, moving a family internationally is about more than just visas; it's about setting up a new life. On that note, checking out some helpful resources for UK relocation can be a lifesaver for finding accommodation and settling in.

Here’s a quick look at what we’ll be covering:

Eligibility: Who can apply? We’ll break down the rules for spouses, civil partners, and children.
Sponsor Duties: What are your obligations as the main visa holder? It's more than just a title.
Financial Proof: The money part. We’ll get specific about exactly how much you need to have in the bank and for how long.
Document Checklist: Your essential paperwork list, from marriage certificates to birth certificates.
Application Steps: A simple walkthrough of the online form, paying the fees, and booking the biometrics appointment.

By the time you've finished reading, you'll understand the dependant visa UK requirements inside and out, putting you in the best possible position to submit a successful application for your family.

Who Can Qualify as a Dependant

Before you even think about paperwork, the very first step is getting to grips with who the UK Home Office actually defines as a ‘dependant’. The rules are quite specific, so let’s walk through the main categories that typically apply to families from Nigeria.

The most common relationships that meet the dependant visa UK requirements are:

Your husband or wife (your spouse)
Your civil partner
Your unmarried partner, but only if you’ve lived together for at least two years
Your children under the age of 18

For married couples, a marriage certificate from a Nigerian registry is usually all you need. But for unmarried partners, the Home Office needs a lot more convincing to prove your relationship is genuine and has been ongoing for at least two years.

Proving Your Relationship as an Unmarried Partner

Think of it as building a case file that proves you and your partner share a life. The Home Office isn't just taking your word for it; they want to see official documents showing you’ve been living at the same address.

For example, you could show a joint tenancy agreement for your flat in Lekki or Ikeja. Another great piece of evidence is a joint bank statement from a Nigerian bank like GTBank or Zenith Bank, showing you've been managing finances together. Utility bills from Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) with both of your names on them also work wonders.

The secret here is consistency and official paperwork. The Home Office is looking for solid proof that your relationship is not only genuine but also stable, similar to a marriage. Your job is to paint a clear picture of your shared life through these documents.

Requirements for Dependent Children

When it comes to your children under 18, the process is generally straightforward, but the details matter. You'll need to provide their original birth certificate issued by the National Population Commission.

A really important point is proving that your child actually depends on you. If a child is applying with both parents, this is usually obvious. But if only one parent is the main visa holder in the UK, you might have to demonstrate you have sole responsibility for raising the child. This often comes up in cases of separation or divorce and will require extra documentation like school reports or doctor's letters addressed to you.

For children who are 16 or 17, they must not be living an independent life. This means they can't be married, in a civil partnership, or have their own children. They still need to be financially reliant on you.

Getting these rules right is more crucial now than ever. Recent changes have made the dependant visa route much tougher, especially for students. In the year ending June 2025, the number of visas granted to student dependants dropped by a massive 81%. This shows just how strict the immigration climate has become, making it essential to meet every single requirement perfectly. You can discover more insights about these UK immigration statistics on the official report.

Your Responsibilities as the Main Visa Holder

Think of yourself as the anchor for your family's move to the UK. As the main visa holder, your stability and valid visa status are what make their applications possible. In the eyes of the Home Office, you are their sponsor, and that comes with a few key responsibilities you’ll need to meet for them to join and stay with you.

First and foremost, you need to hold a qualifying visa yourself. Not every UK visa type allows you to bring your family along. Generally, it's the long-term work routes that open this door.

Skilled Worker Visa: This is a very common path for many Nigerians heading to the UK for work, and it definitely allows you to bring your partner and children.
Health and Care Worker Visa: Much like the Skilled Worker visa, this route also lets you sponsor your dependants.
Global Talent Visa: If you’re recognised as a leader in your field, you can bring your family over with you on this visa.

It's crucial to be aware of recent changes, especially for students. Since early 2024, most international students on taught master's courses can no longer bring dependants. This option is now typically reserved for those on PhD programmes or other research-based postgraduate courses.

Your Core Duties as a Sponsor

Beyond simply holding the right visa, you have three core duties to meet the dependant visa UK requirements. The first is to keep your own visa status in perfect order. Any problems with your visa, like breaking its conditions, could put your dependants' right to stay in the UK at risk.

Honesty throughout the process is non-negotiable. Providing false information can lead to really serious outcomes. If this is a concern, it’s a good idea to understand the risks of visa application misrepresentation to make sure you steer clear of any trouble.

Second, you must show that you can support your family financially without needing to access public funds. This is the "maintenance requirement," and it means having a specific amount of money saved up in your bank account for a continuous period.

Your financial stability is a direct promise to the UK government that your family will not become a burden on the state. You are essentially vouching for them with your own resources.

Finally, you need to have a suitable place for your family to live sorted out before they arrive. The home can't be legally overcrowded by UK standards. You’ll be asked to provide proof of this, usually a tenancy agreement, to show you have a proper home for everyone.

Meeting the Financial Maintenance Requirements

Proving you have enough money to support your family is often the biggest hurdle in the dependant visa application. The UK Home Office needs to see that your loved ones won't need to rely on public funds, and they have very strict, non-negotiable rules about how you demonstrate this. Getting this right is a cornerstone of the dependant visa UK requirements.

Let's get into the specifics of what you'll need. The main element here is the maintenance funds requirement. You must have a set amount of cash saved for each family member joining you. Crucially, this money has to sit untouched in your bank account (or your partner’s) for at least 28 consecutive days before you submit your application. The balance cannot dip below the required amount, not even for a single day during that 28-day window.

Understanding the 28-Day Rule

Think of the 28-day rule as a test of your financial stability. The Home Office uses it to make sure the money isn't just a last-minute loan from a friend or relative to tick a box. They want to see that these funds are genuinely available to you.

For applicants from Nigeria, this means you'll need to get official, stamped bank statements from your bank, whether it's Zenith Bank, GTBank, or Access Bank. Your statements must clearly show the bank’s name, your name, the account number, and the full transaction history for those 28 days. The closing date of the statement can't be more than 31 days before you apply.

This infographic provides a great overview of a visa holder's core responsibilities, which go hand-in-hand with the financial side of things.

As you can see, proving you have the funds is just as critical as maintaining your legal status and securing a proper home for your family.

How Much Money Do You Need?

The exact amount you need to show depends entirely on the main applicant's visa type. For most work-based routes, like the popular Skilled Worker visa, the required funds are broken down like this:

£285 for your partner
£315 for your first child
£200 for each additional child

Remember, these figures are on top of the £1,270 the main applicant needs for their own maintenance. The only exception is if their employer is an A-rated sponsor who agrees to certify their maintenance, which would cover their personal funds but not the funds for dependants.

Important Note: These financial thresholds are not set in stone and can change. Recent government policies have made sponsoring family members tougher, particularly on the family visa route, which now has much higher and more complex income requirements.

The impact of these tighter financial rules is already being felt. Statistics show that family visa applications (which include dependant applications) dropped by nearly 23% in the year ending June 2025, right after a major increase in the minimum income requirement. This really drives home how critical it is to meet the financial criteria. For a deeper dive, you can read the full research about these immigration statistics for more context.

To help you visualise this, here is a table showing what you might need to save for your family, depending on the visa route.

Dependant Visa Financial Requirements Example

This table shows the minimum funds a main applicant must have available for their dependants, in addition to their own maintenance funds. Funds must be held for at least 28 consecutive days.

Dependant Type	Visa Route Example	Required Funds Per Dependant
Partner/Spouse	Skilled Worker Visa	£285
First Child	Skilled Worker Visa	£315
Each Additional Child	Skilled Worker Visa	£200

Taking the time to carefully calculate and save these funds is an absolutely essential step towards bringing your family together in the UK.

Your Essential Document Checklist

Getting your paperwork in order is probably the most crucial part of the entire application process. Honestly, a single missing or incorrect document can lead to frustrating delays or, even worse, a flat-out refusal. Think of this checklist as your roadmap to gathering everything you need, tailored specifically for applicants from Nigeria.

We’ll break down the documents into simple, clear categories so you don't miss a thing. A bit of careful preparation here will make all the difference in meeting the dependant visa UK requirements.

Documents for All Applicants

First things first, there are a few core documents that everyone applying will need – that’s you, your partner, and each of your children. These are the non-negotiables.

Current International Passport: It must be valid and, importantly, have at least one completely blank page for the visa sticker.
Tuberculosis (TB) Test Certificate: This is a mandatory requirement for anyone applying from Nigeria. You absolutely must get this test done at a Home Office-approved clinic, which you'll find in Lagos and Abuja. A certificate from any other clinic will simply be rejected.
Proof of Relationship to the Main Applicant: This is where you prove you’re a family. What you need will depend on your situation, and we'll dig into that next.

For Your Spouse or Partner

If your husband or wife is the one applying to join you, you'll need to provide solid proof of your relationship. The cornerstone of this is your official marriage certificate from a Nigerian registry.

The Home Office isn't just looking for a piece of paper; they need to believe your relationship is genuine and ongoing. They often look very closely at this, so it's smart to provide more than just the certificate.

To build a stronger case, it's a great idea to include other evidence that paints a picture of your life together. Things like:

Photographs of the two of you over time – think wedding pictures, holiday snaps, and photos from family gatherings.
Screenshots of your chat logs from apps like WhatsApp or your call history to show you're in regular contact.
Evidence of shared finances, like a joint bank account in Nigeria. Since bank statements are a vital part of your application, knowing how to download a bank statement efficiently can save you a real headache.

For Your Children

For every child under 18 who is coming with you, you'll need to submit their birth certificate. If you're applying from Nigeria, it’s crucial to use the official version issued by the National Population Commission. Just make sure the copy is clear, easy to read, and shows the names of both parents.

One last thing – if any of your documents aren't in English (this can sometimes be the case with older marriage or birth certificates), you must get a certified translation. This isn't just any translation; it has to be done by a professional who provides a statement confirming it's an accurate and true translation. Getting all of this organised neatly is your best bet for a smooth and successful application.

The Step-by-Step Visa Application Process

Once you’ve gathered all your documents, the next stage is the application itself. I know this part can feel like the most daunting, but if you break it down into a few clear steps, it’s much more manageable. Let's walk through exactly what you need to do to meet the dependant visa UK requirements and bring your family over.

The whole process kicks off online but wraps up with an in-person appointment. It's crucial to remember that every single dependant, including each child, requires their own individual application. Yes, it's a bit of a paperwork marathon, but being meticulous now will save you a world of headaches later.

Completing and Paying for the Application

First things first: you need to complete the official online application for each family member. This form is the absolute cornerstone of their case, so accuracy is key.

Fill Out the Online Form: Head over to the GOV.UK website to find the correct form. My best advice is to take your time. Double-check, and then triple-check, every detail – a simple typo in a date of birth or passport number can cause serious delays down the line.
Pay the Fees: After submitting the form, you'll be prompted to pay two fees online: the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). The IHS is mandatory and gives your family access to the NHS, which is a huge peace of mind.

A word to the wise: visa fees are not static. I always tell my clients to check the very latest costs on the official UK government website before they start. This helps avoid any nasty surprises and keeps your budget on track.

Booking and Attending Your Appointment

With the online part done and dusted, the final phase involves booking and attending a biometrics appointment.

Book Your Biometrics: You'll be automatically directed to the website of TLScontact, the Home Office's official partner in Nigeria. This is where you book an appointment slot for each dependant at one of their centres in Lagos or Abuja.
Upload Documents and Attend: Before the appointment, you must upload high-quality digital scans of all your supporting documents to the TLScontact portal. Then, on the day of the appointment, your family members will have their fingerprints and a photograph taken. It’s a pretty straightforward affair, but make sure they get there on time with their passports and the appointment confirmation printout.

Common Questions from Nigerian Applicants

Navigating the UK dependant visa process can throw up a lot of questions. Let's break down some of the most common queries we see from Nigerian families, giving you clear, straightforward answers to help you prepare.

Can I Use Funds from a Sponsor in Nigeria?

This is a big one we hear all the time. For the most part, the Home Office expects the proof of funds to be in a bank account belonging to the main visa applicant or their partner (the dependant).

Relying on a third-party sponsor back in Nigeria, like an uncle or family friend, to meet the financial requirement is generally not allowed and can put your application at risk. The simplest and safest route is always to use your own funds.

Do I Need to Legalise My Nigerian Marriage Certificate?

Typically, you don't need to go through the extra step of legalising your Nigerian marriage certificate. An original or a certified copy from the marriage registry is usually sufficient for the UK visa application.

What the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) team really cares about is authenticity and clarity. As long as the document is official and easy to read, you're good to go. If any part of it isn't in English, you absolutely must include a certified translation.

The UKVI's focus is on the authenticity and clarity of your documents. A clear, official certificate and a professional translation if needed are far more important than extra legalisation steps.

What Happens If My Dependant Visa Is Refused?

Getting a refusal notice is tough, but it doesn't automatically mean it's over. The refusal letter will spell out the exact reasons why the visa was denied, and you need to read these reasons very carefully.

Depending on the problem, you may have the option to apply for an Administrative Review or simply submit a fresh application that addresses the issues from the first one. To get a better handle on what can go wrong, it's worth reading up on common UK visa rejection reasons.

It's important to remember that Nigeria is a major source of students for the UK, so applications are looked at very closely. Even with recent policy shifts, Nigerian study visa applications saw a massive 64% year-on-year increase in the first quarter of 2025. This shows that interest remains high, but so does the level of scrutiny. Discover more insights about these international student trends to understand the bigger picture.

Feeling overwhelmed by the requirements? Let JapaChat simplify your journey. Our AI-powered platform provides instant answers to your specific immigration questions, tailored for Nigerians. Plan your move with confidence by visiting https://japachat.com to get started for free.

Dependant visa uk requirements: Your quick guide