UK dependant visas: partner and child requirements
A dependant route may allow an eligible partner or child to join or remain with a person holding a qualifying UK work or study visa. Rules vary according to the main applicant’s route.
Costs, funds and key figures
There is no single dependant visa. The fee, maintenance amount, documents and inside-UK switching rules follow the main applicant’s work or Student route. Check that the main route currently permits dependants before paying.
Figures checked against the official source on 7 August 2026. Government charges and rules can change.Standard work-route fee depends on application location and permission length; each dependant pays separately.
Verify with GOV.UK ↗Work-route maintenance£285 / £315 / £200Partner £285, first child £315, each additional child £200. Usually held for 28 days unless sponsor-certified or otherwise exempt.
Verify with GOV.UK ↗Student dependant maintenance£845 or £680 monthlyFor each eligible dependant, up to 9 months: £845 in London or £680 outside London. The course and sponsor must allow dependants.
Verify with GOV.UK ↗Student dependant fee£558 per personEach dependant makes and pays for a separate linked application.
Verify with GOV.UK ↗Healthcare surchargeUsually £776 or £1,035 yearlyStudent dependants usually pay £776 per year; most work-route dependants pay £1,035 per year. Exemptions can apply, including eligible Health and Care routes.
Verify with GOV.UK ↗Whose visa or status will the dependant be linked to?
“Dependant visa” is not one universal category. Choose the main person's general route to find the relevant public information.
Skilled Worker partner or child
Use the Skilled Worker dependant rules. Restrictions can depend on the sponsored occupation, relationship, age and application location.
Open Skilled Worker dependant guide →Student dependant calculator
Use the intended visa duration for the IHS estimate. Partial years are calculated by the official application.
Dependant fees follow the main applicant’s route. This illustration uses the Student dependant rate; use the Skilled Worker calculator for a Skilled Worker dependant.
Priority and super priority are optional and are not available for every route, location or appointment. Selecting one here does not confirm availability.
General eligibility points
Use these as research prompts. Meeting them does not guarantee a successful application.
- The main applicant holds or is applying for a route that permits dependants.
- The applicant meets the route’s partner or child definition.
- The relationship is genuine and can be evidenced.
- Maintenance and age requirements are met where applicable.
Document checklist
The exact evidence depends on the route and circumstances.
- A valid passport or travel document.
- Evidence of the relationship to the main applicant.
- The main applicant’s application reference, visa or immigration status.
- Financial evidence where maintenance is not certified or exempt.
- TB certificate or evidence concerning a child’s living arrangements where required.
Outside and inside the UK are different pathways
Choose the column matching where the applicant will be when they apply. This is general orientation; always check the linked GOV.UK route page.
Four preparation steps
Identify the main applicant’s immigration route
Confirm that route permits dependants
Check the relationship and age rules
Use the dependant instructions for that specific route
Check the current GOV.UK rules
Government requirements can change. Use these official pages as the authoritative source.
Administrative document checklist — £20 per document
We check legibility, orientation, page order and file naming, and record whether the document type appears on the published GOV.UK checklist you selected. We do not decide whether the document satisfies an immigration requirement or recommend evidence.
Important boundary: this is an administrative comparison, not immigration advice. We do not decide whether a document proves a requirement, is sufficient for a particular case or is likely to be accepted. We do not recommend evidence, interpret refusals or guarantee an outcome. Do not send documents through the enquiry form; secure delivery instructions must be agreed first.
Request a document quality check →Dependant routes FAQs
Is there one general dependant visa?+
No. Dependant requirements are linked to the main applicant’s immigration route, such as Skilled Worker or Student.
Can every Student bring dependants?+
No. Eligibility is limited and depends on the course and sponsorship circumstances described in the Student route rules.
Does a dependant apply on the same form?+
Each dependant normally makes a separate application and pays the relevant charges, while linking their application to the main applicant.