A UK dependant visa allows the close family members of someone in the UK to join or accompany them. Who qualifies, and on what terms, depends entirely on the status of the person they are joining – known as the ‘sponsor’. There are two broad situations, and the right route depends on which applies to you.
Who counts as a dependant?
Across most routes, a dependant is one of the following:
- your husband, wife or civil partner;
- your unmarried partner, where you have been in a genuine relationship similar to marriage for at least two years;
- your child under the age of 18.
Parents, grandparents, siblings and other relatives are generally not covered by a standard dependant visa. Elderly parents or grandparents who need care may qualify under the separate Adult Dependent Relative route.
Joining a British citizen or settled person
If you are joining a husband, wife, civil partner or partner who is a British citizen, an Irish citizen, or settled in the UK (with Indefinite Leave to Remain), you apply under the UK family route. This is a route to settlement in its own right. The main options are:
- Spouse visa – for husbands, wives and civil partners of a British or settled person.
- Unmarried partner visa – for partners who have been in a genuine, durable relationship for at least two years.
- Fiance visa – if you intend to marry your partner in the UK within six months of arriving.
- Adult Dependent Relative visa – for an elderly parent or grandparent who needs long-term care.
These routes have their own financial, relationship and English language requirements. The family route generally has a minimum income requirement, currently £29,000 a year for partners.
Joining someone on a work or study visa
If you are joining a family member who is in the UK on a temporary visa, such as a Skilled Worker or Global Talent visa, you apply as a dependant on that route. Your permission is linked to theirs and usually ends on the same date.
An important point for 2026: not every work or study visa allows dependants anymore. Recent rule changes have removed this right for several groups:
- Most students can no longer bring dependants. Since January 2024, only those on postgraduate research courses (such as a PhD) can do so.
- New overseas care workers and senior care workers can no longer bring dependants, following changes in 2024.
- From 22 July 2025, Skilled Worker dependants are generally limited to workers in graduate-level (RQF Level 6) roles. Some lower-skilled workers who entered the route earlier may keep the right under transitional rules.
Because the position depends on the exact visa, the role and the dates involved, it is well worth checking before anyone applies – an application from a family member who is not eligible will be refused, and the fee is not refunded. We can confirm where you stand.
What a dependant can do in the UK
The conditions vary by route, but for dependants on most work routes:
- You can work in almost any job, at any skill level, and you are not tied to a sponsor.
- You can study.
- You can use the NHS, having paid the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of your application.
- You cannot claim most public funds (benefits).
Settlement for dependants
Dependants normally follow the same path to settlement as the person they joined. On most routes this means you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years of continuous residence in the UK, and may then apply for British citizenship. Some routes, such as Global Talent, can lead to settlement sooner.
Please note that the government has consulted on plans to reform settlement through a new ‘earned settlement’ system, which could extend the qualifying period and require dependants to meet criteria in their own right. As of now this is not in force. There are also proposals to introduce a basic English language requirement for partners applying as dependants on work routes. We will advise you on the current position when you apply.