Student Dependant Visa UK

If you’re going to the UK as a student, you may wonder: can I bring my partner or children with me? The student dependent visa is the route that allows eligible students to bring family members (dependants) to join them in the UK. In this blog, you’ll find everything you need to know about this visa.

Student Dependant Visa UK

Under the current UK rules, not all students are eligible to bring dependants. The eligibility criteria changed on 1 January 2024.

You can bring dependants (partner/spouse/civil partner/unmarried partner, and child under 18) if one of these applies:

• You are a PhD, other doctoral qualification, or a research-based higher degree of 9 months or more, at a Higher Education Provider (HEP) with a track record of compliance.
• You are a full-time student on a programme of at least six months and are government-sponsored (or receiving an overseas or national government scholarship or sponsorship) for that study.

If your course does not meet those criteria (for example, it’s a taught Master’s course without a scholarship), you generally cannot bring dependants under the Student route.

Also:

• If your course started before 1st January 2024, older rules may apply, which are more lenient.
• Your dependants must prove their relationship (marriage/civil partnership/birth certificate/evidence of cohabitation for unmarried partner).

Student Dependant Visa Requirements & Financial Requirements for Student Dependants

To apply, your dependants need to satisfy:

1. Documentary/Relationship Proof

• For partners: marriage/civil partnership certificate, or proof of stable cohabitation and relationship (if unmarried partner).
• For children: birth certificate; they must be under 18 at the time of application (unless already in the UK as a dependant). They must not be married or in a civil partnership.

2. Financial Requirements (Maintenance/Living Costs)

Dependants must have sufficient funds in addition to what the student needs. The Home Office sets maintenance (living cost) thresholds. Some key figures:

• For courses in London: dependants must show £845 per month for up to 9 months.
• For courses outside London: £680 per month for up to 9 months.
• These funds must be held for 28 consecutive days, with the ending date no more than 31 days prior to application.

3. Eligibility of Programme/Sponsorship (as described above)

4. Visa Application Requirements

• Valid passport(s)
• Biometrics (fingerprints+photo) are generally taken at the Visa Application Centre or via UKVCAS/equivalent.
• Immigration Health Surcharge payment as part of a visa application.

Student Dependent Visa Process

The steps typically are:

1. Check eligibility (student’s course type, length, sponsorship, etc.) using official guidance.
2. Gather required documents: relationship proof, financial evidence (bank statements, sponsorship letters, etc.), passports, and possibly proof of accommodation.
3. Apply online either from outside the UK (entry clearance) or from within the UK if extending or switching leave.
4. Pay the visa application fee + Immigration Health Surcharge.
5. Attend biometric appointment (fingerprints+photo).
6. Wait for the decision. If joining from abroad, you’ll get a vignette in your passport for entry and then a longer-term eVisa or Biometric Residence Permit (BRP/eVisa status).
7. If inside the UK and extending, apply before the current leave expires. Dependants’ leave will usually match the student’s leave.

How Much Does a UK Student Dependant Visa Cost?

Here are the main costs:

• The visa application fee for each dependant is the same rate as a Student visa application. In many cases, that is £490 when applying from outside the UK.
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): dependants must pay IHS at the same rate as students. The IHS gives access to NHS services.
• Maintenance (living cost) funds as shown above (£845 or £680 per month), which must be shown upfront.

So total cost = visa fee + IHS + proof of funds. Note: scholarship/sponsorship may cover some costs, but even then, the applicant may need to show additional funds if the sponsorship doesn’t cover living costs for dependants.

Work Rights for Student Dependants

Dependants under a Student Dependent Visa UK have certain work rights, depending on the student’s course level:

• If the primary student is studying a postgraduate research programme (or meets the programme/eligibility rules to bring dependants), dependants are generally allowed to work without restriction in hours, except for certain roles that require special authorisations.
• They can also study in the UK, though some courses may require additional clearance (for example, ATAS, depending on the subject).
• Children dependants of school age are allowed to attend state schools.

Common Questions

• “What if I start a taught Masters course in September 2023 but defer until January 2024?”
  If the original course start date was before 1st January 2024, many students retain their eligibility to bring dependants under the older rules. Always check with your institution.
• “Can dependants apply separately later?”
  Yes. Dependants can apply at the same time as the main student or later, provided eligibility conditions are met. But proof of funds and relationship still must be valid at the time of application.
• “What happens after studies?”
  If the main student switches to a Graduate Visa after finishing their studies, dependants already in the UK under the dependant route may be able to stay, but dependants who did not reside in the UK during the studies may not automatically qualify.