Student Dependent Visa UK – Check Your Eligibility

Who Can Apply for a Student Dependent Visa?

If you are applying for a Student Visa in the UK, your partner and children may be eligible to apply for a student dependent visa. This type of dependent visa on student visa allows your family members to join you in the UK or extend their stay if they are already in the country under an existing immigration route.

To qualify for a dependant visa, you — the main applicant — must meet one of the following conditions:

• Be a government-sponsored student enrolled on a course lasting more than six months.
• Be a full-time postgraduate student (RQF Level 7 or above) on a course lasting at least nine months.

However, for postgraduate courses starting on or after 1 January 2024, dependant visa requirements are stricter. Your dependant partner visa and child can only apply if you are studying:

• A PhD or other doctorate (RQF Level 8).
• A research-based higher degree.

This means only students on advanced academic programmes will be allowed to bring family under the dependent student visa category.

Eligibility to Bring Student Dependent Visa

To bring your family with you on a student dependent visa, you must meet specific eligibility criteria set by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). You can only apply for a dependent visa on student visa for your dependant partner visa and/or child if one of the following applies:

• You are sponsored by the UK Government and enrolled in a course lasting more than six months.
• You are studying a full-time postgraduate course at RQF Level 7 or above that lasts at least nine months.

Important Update:
For courses starting on or after 1 January 2024, the eligibility for a dependant visa becomes more limited. Your dependants can only apply if you are enrolled in:

• A PhD or other doctoral-level course (RQF level 8).
• A research-based postgraduate degree.

These changes were introduced to narrow the scope of the student dependent visa application process and reduce the number of dependants entering the UK under academic routes.

Who Counts as a Dependent?

When applying for a student dependent visa, it’s important to understand who is eligible to be considered a dependent. Under the dependent visa on student visa route, a dependant can be:

• Your spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner.
• Your child under 18, including those born in the UK during your stay.

To support your dependant visa application, you must provide official documents as evidence of your relationship, such as:

• A marriage certificate for your partner.
• A birth certificate for your child.

Additional Requirements for Children

If you are including a child in your application for dependent visa, they must meet the following dependant visa requirements:

• Be under 18 years old
• Be unmarried and not in a civil partnership
• Be living with you, unless they are in full-time education at a boarding school, college, or university

You’ll also need to submit at least two documents that confirm your child’s address. Acceptable examples include:

• Bank statement
• NHS registration document
• University or college letter

Meeting these criteria is essential for a successful dependant visa UK application, whether you’re applying from abroad or from within the UK.

Financial Requirements for Dependents

As part of the student dependent visa application, your partner and child must show they have sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay in the UK. This financial requirement is separate from the funds you must show for your own Student Visa.

Required Funds (for up to 9 months):

• £845 per month (for courses in London).
• £680 per month (for courses outside London).

These amounts apply per dependant, and the money must be held for at least 28 consecutive days before the application for dependent visa is submitted.

This is a key part of the dependant visa requirements and must be met whether you’re applying for a dependant partner visa or a dependant student visa for a child.

Who Doesn’t Need to Prove Financial Support?

There are exceptions to the financial requirement. Your dependants do not need to prove financial support if:

• They have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months.
• You both apply from a differential evidence requirement country.

Even if exempt, the UK Home Office (UKVI) may still request financial documents during the review process, so it’s advisable to have them ready as a precaution.

Understanding the dependant visa cost and financial expectations will help avoid delays or rejections in your student dependant application.

How to Apply for a Student Dependent Visa?

Applying from Outside the UK

If your partner and children are applying for a student visa from outside the UK, they must apply online. Here’s what they need to do:

• Application number required – Your dependants will need the Global Web Form (GWF) or Unique Application Number (UAN) from your own Student Visa application to link their applications.

• Biometric data – Dependants must visit a visa application centre to provide biometric data, which includes fingerprints and a photograph. This is a necessary step in the dependant visa application process.

Applying from Inside the UK

If your dependants are already in the UK, they can apply to:

• Extend their stay when you extend your Student Visa.
• Switch to a Student Dependant Visa before their current visa expires.

They cannot switch if they currently hold:

• Visitor visa
• Short-term student visa
• Parent of a Child Student visa
• Seasonal worker visa
• Domestic worker visa

It’s important to ensure that your dependants meet the necessary criteria and apply for a dependant student visa before their visa expires to avoid complications.

For official guidance and the most up-to-date information, visit the UK Government website.

Student Dependent Visa Fees and Processing Time

When submitting a student dependant visa application, each dependant must pay the appropriate fees. These costs are in addition to your own Student Visa charges.

Student Depandent Visa Fees

• Visa Application Fee: £490 per person.
• Healthcare Surcharge: Additional fee based on the length of the visa (usually £776 per year)

These fees apply whether you’re applying for a dependant partner visa, or a dependant student visa for children.

Processing time:

• 3 weeks (if applying outside the UK).
• 8 weeks (if applying inside the UK).
• Priority service may be available for a faster decision.

In some cases, a priority service may be available for a faster decision on your application for dependent visa.

What Happens After Applying for Student Dependant Visa?

Once your student dependant visa is approved:

• Your dependants will receive an eVisa linked to their UKVI account
• Their visa will expire on the same date as your Student Visa

This applies across all dependant visa UK categories.

Travel Restrictions for Dependants

While waiting for a decision, dependants must not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man if applying from within the UK. Doing so may result in their dependent visa on student visa application being withdrawn.

Children Born in the UK

If your child is born in the UK while you hold a Student Visa, there are important rules to keep in mind when applying for a student dependent visa for them.

• Your child does not automatically become a British citizen by birth in the UK.
• If you intend to travel in and out of the UK with your child, you must apply for a dependent visa on student visa to ensure they can legally leave and re-enter the country.
• To apply, you’ll need a full UK birth certificate that lists both parents’ names.

If your child will continue to reside in the UK, it’s recommended to submit a dependant visa application before they turn 18 years old—especially if you or your partner are planning to extend your stay or switch to a different visa category, such as the dependent graduate visa.

Applying for a dependant visa in a timely manner ensures your child can remain in the UK lawfully under the dependent student visa route.

Final Thoughts

Applying for a student dependent visa can be a smooth and successful process if you meet all the eligibility criteria and prepare in advance. Whether you’re applying for a dependent student visa for your partner, a dependent visa on student visa for your child, or transitioning to a dependent graduate visa, it’s essential to:

• Understand and meet the dependant visa requirements
• Provide accurate and complete documentation
• Meet the financial thresholds
• Apply before any relevant deadlines

Careful planning of your dependant visa application ensures your loved ones can join or remain with you in the UK without complications.

Source / Ref.: Gov.uk  Contains public sector information licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0.

Written by [Ketan Borada / British Portal Team] – Founder of British Portal, dedicated to providing accurate and up-to-date information on UK public services and benefits.