What is a dependant visa in the UK?

For people on a UK work or study visa who want their partner or children to join them.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

A dependant visa lets your partner and children join you in the UK while you are here on a visa such as a Skilled Worker or Student visa.

Dependants can be your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner, and children under 18.
On a Skilled Worker visa, each dependant pays the same visa fee as you, plus the healthcare surcharge.
You usually need £285 for a partner, £315 for the first child and £200 for each other child.
Most students can no longer bring dependants unless on a research degree or government sponsored.
Most care workers cannot bring dependants unless employed since before 11 March 2024.

Key facts

Partner and children under 18
Same fee as main visa holder
Funds: £285 partner, £315 child
Most students cannot bring family

What a dependant visa is

"Dependant" is the word the Home Office uses for a partner or child who joins someone on a UK visa. There is no single "dependant visa". Instead, your family apply on the same route as you, such as the Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker or Student route.

If your partner or parent is British or settled in the UK, this is not the right route. Use the family visa instead. You cannot use the family visa if your family member here has a work or student visa.

Who counts as a dependant

On a Skilled Worker visa, your dependants can be:

your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
your child under 18, including a child born in the UK during your stay
your child over 18 who is already in the UK as your dependant

Partners must be married or in a civil partnership, or have been in a relationship for at least 2 years. If you have not lived together, you need evidence of the relationship, such as time spent together. Children must live with you (unless away in full-time education) and must not be married or in a civil partnership.

Which visas allow dependants

Your visa	Can you bring dependants?
Skilled Worker	Yes
Health and Care Worker (most roles)	Yes
Care worker or senior care worker	Only if employed in that role on a Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa since before 11 March 2024, or in a few special cases
Student	Only if government sponsored on a course over 6 months, or on a postgraduate research course such as a PhD

How much it costs

On the Skilled Worker route, each dependant pays the same visa fee as you, for the same length of time. They also pay the healthcare surcharge, which is usually £1,035 a year for adults and £776 a year for children under 18.

Skilled Worker fee (outside the UK)	Per person
Up to 3 years	£819
More than 3 years	£1,618

On the Student route, each person pays £558 for the visa, plus the surcharge.

Money you must show

For a Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa, you usually need savings of:

£285 for a partner
£315 for the first child
£200 for each other child

Example: a partner and two children need £285 + £315 + £200 = £800. The money must be held for 28 days in a row, ending within 31 days of the application. You may not need to show it if your family has been in the UK on a visa for 12 months or more.

For Student dependants, it is £845 a month in London or £680 a month outside London, for up to 9 months. That is up to £7,605 in London or £6,120 elsewhere for each dependant.

What dependants can do

Skilled Worker dependants can work (but not as a sportsperson or sports coach), study and travel abroad. They may be able to apply to settle after 5 years. They cannot get most benefits or the State Pension.

How to apply

Check your visa route allows dependants.
Each family member applies online separately.
Prove their identity and send documents showing the relationship and money.
Pay the fee and surcharge.

From inside the UK, a decision usually takes 8 weeks.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Check dependant rules

Common questions

Can my dependant partner work in the UK?

On a Skilled Worker visa, yes. Your partner can work in most jobs (not as a sportsperson or sports coach), study and travel.

How much money does my family need?

For a Skilled Worker visa, £285 for a partner, £315 for the first child and £200 for each other child, held for 28 days in a row.

My partner is British. Is this the right visa?

No. Dependant visas are for family of people on work or study visas. Family of British or settled people use the family visa.

Official sources

1.Skilled Worker visa: your partner and children (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-partner-and-children
2.Skilled Worker visa: how much it costs (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs
3.Student visa: family members (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/student-visa/family-members
4.Health and Care Worker visa: your partner and children (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa/your-partner-and-children
5.Family visas: apply, extend or switch (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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