A dependent visa is a type of visa that permits someone’s dependents (spouses and kids) to travel overseas for the purpose of joining their family members. The UK Dependent visa is for those who are able to meet the eligibility requirements to join their spouses or parents currently residing in the UK.
If your dependent’s visa application is successful, their visa expiry date becomes merged with your own. This means that your dependents’ visa expires the same day as yours.
In this article, we are going cover areas worth knowing as it concerns the topic.
Who Can Apply for UK Dependent Visas?
The first requirement for a UK dependent visa is that you must be a dependent family member of a qualifying migrant. A dependent in this case can be qualified as:
- Husband, wife, or civil partner
- Unmarried or same-sex partner
- Children under 18 at the time of application
As an essential requirement for this type of visa, the family must show evidence of financial capability to sustain and support themselves without relying on public funds. For instance, if the main applicant is applying for a Skilled Worker visa, they will need to show proof of having savings of £285 for the dependent plus £315 for the first dependent child. Additionally, there should be at least £200 for each dependent that will be added.
How do I apply for a Dependent Visa?
You can apply for a dependent visa from outside or within the UK. The application can be strictly done online except for North Korean applicants.
UK Dependent Visa Required Documents
What documents do I need to provide to apply for this visa?
In order to apply, you will need to include the documents from the following list:
- A valid passport or travel document
- Marriage certificate (for spouses) and birth certificate (for children)
- Bank Statements
- Relationship evidence between the main applicant and the dependent
- Tuberculosis test results
- Criminal record result
The application process for this visa is very rigid and hence requires that all these documents be accurate and must meet stated specifications.
UK Dependent Visa Processing Time
A dependent visa usually takes 12 weeks on average for those applying from outside the UK. You can also submit the application via the priority service for an additional fee. This means that the decision may be made within 5 working days.
If you are applying from inside the UK, it will take approximately 8 weeks from the appointment date. There are options for the priority service which makes decisions in 5 working days and the super-priority service which expedites decisions to 24 hours.
Visa Application Fees
The fees for this type of visa are charged at the same time as that of the main applicant. There is also an additional biometric enrollment fee of £19.20 for those applying within the UK.
The Fees for skilled worker dependents are as follows:
- Dependent 3-year visa – entry clearance – £610
- Shortage Occupation List – 3-year visa – entry clearance £464
- Dependent – 5-year visa – – entry clearance £1,220
- Shortage Occupation List – 5-year visa – entry clearance £928
- Dependent – 3-year visa – leave to remain – £704
- Shortage Occupation List – 3-year visa– leave to remain £464
- Dependent – 5-year visa– leave to remain £1408
- Shortage Occupation List – 5-year visa– leave to remain £928
The entry clearance and Leave to Remain Fees can be found on the Home Office’s fee list.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Dependent visa?
A dependent visa is meant for a husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried partner, or child under 18 years. The visa allows the dependent applicants to join the main applicants in the UK.
Does UK allow dependent visa?
Yes, the UK allows your partner or children to stay in the UK as long as they meet the eligibility requirement. In addition, each dependent will need to complete a separate application. If their application is successful, their visa expires on the same date as yours.
Can my wife work in UK on dependent visa?
Sure, your wife can work in the UK using a dependent visa in the Tier 2 stream. The employment of the dependent visa becomes invalid.
Who can apply for UK dependent visa?
The basic qualification for a dependent visa is that you are a spouse, civil or unmarried partner of the sponsor. Children under the age of 18 can also become the sponsor’s dependent and accompany the same to the UK.
