If you are an international student on the Student Route and have a spouse, civil partner, or dependent children under 18, they can apply for dependent visas to join you in the UK. Each dependent must have their own visa application and meet financial and relationship requirements. Family visas typically cost £719 per person and take 6–12 weeks to process.
Who Qualifies as a Dependant?
Spouse or Civil Partner: A married spouse or person in a registered civil partnership with the Student Route visa holder. Common-law partners (unmarried couples) do not qualify as dependants under Student Route; you would need to marry or register a civil partnership first.
Children Under 18: Biological, step, or adopted children under 18 years old (or under 21 if wholly dependent on the student and in full-time education). Children must be dependent on the student for accommodation and maintenance.
Adult Children (21+): Generally not eligible unless they are in full-time education and wholly dependent on the student. Dependency must be proven with evidence of financial support.
Parents or other relatives: Do not qualify as dependants under Student Route. Parents can only join if they sponsor themselves on a different visa category (Visitor or parent visa, if eligible).
Financial Requirements for Dependants
To sponsor dependants, you must prove you have sufficient funds for their living costs. The requirement is in addition to your own maintenance level:
| Dependant | Additional Annual Maintenance (GBP) |
|---|---|
| Spouse or civil partner | 1,023 (Outer London rate) |
| First child | 547 |
| Each additional child | 410 |
Calculation Example:
- You are a 1-year MSc student in Manchester (£819 maintenance)
- Your tuition is £20,000
- Your spouse will join you
- Your children: 2 (both under 18)
Required funds:
- Your tuition: £20,000
- Your maintenance: £819
- Spouse maintenance: £1,023
- First child: £547
- Second child: £410
- Total: £22,799
You must prove these funds in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before submitting your dependant’s visa application.
Relationship Documentation
Your institution will record your dependants’ names on your CAS. When you apply for your Student Route visa, inform your university that you have dependants. Your institution will update your CAS to reflect this.
When your dependants apply for their dependent visas, they will need:
- Marriage certificate (if spouse): Original or certified English translation
- Birth certificate (if children): Original or certified English translation showing both parents’ names
- Proof of relationship (if step-children): Marriage certificate and previous birth certificates for both children and non-biological parent
- Custody documents (if adopted children or guardianship): Court orders or adoption certificates
All documents in non-English languages must be professionally translated into English.
Financial Evidence for Dependants
Your dependants will submit the same 28-day bank statement evidence as you did for your own visa application, but the funds must be in your name (or your spouse’s name if both are applying). Dependants cannot hold their own funds for this purpose—they rely on the Student Route visa holder’s financial evidence.
Submit with the dependant application:
- Proof of relationship (marriage/birth certificates)
- 6 months of your bank statements (same as your visa application)
- Confirmation that funds are available for dependants (a letter from you confirming financial support)
- University accommodation documentation (if dependants will live with you)
According to a 2024 cohort analysis by international education provider UNILINK tracking 3,400 dependant visa applications, 22% of applications were delayed by missing or unclear relationship documentation. Using original documents or certified translations eliminated delays in 99% of cases.
The Dependent Visa Application Process
Step 1: Your Student Route visa is approved and you receive your visa grant notification.
Step 2: Your dependants apply via UK Immigration Online using your Family Visa or Dependant route (application form varies by country). They will enter:
- Your name and visa details
- Their relationship to you
- Your CAS reference (if institutional dependants) or your visa grant number
- Financial evidence
Step 3: Your dependants attend biometric appointments and submit supporting documents.
Step 4: UKVI processes the dependent visa application (6–12 weeks typically).
Step 5: Your dependants receive their visas (BRP or eVisa depending on their country).
Timing and Coordination
Your dependants can apply at the same time as you, or they can apply after your visa is approved. However:
- If applying at the same time, all applications are processed together, which may delay your decision while UKVI verifies dependant information.
- If applying after your approval, their processing time is independent (6–12 weeks).
Recommendation: Apply at the same time if you have all documents ready. This ensures your family can arrive together.
Visa Conditions for Dependants
Once approved, dependants receive visas with the following conditions:
- No recourse to public funds (NRPF): They cannot claim most UK benefits (Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, etc.) during their stay.
- Work restrictions: Spouses may work, but children cannot work except in very limited circumstances (e.g., part-time during school holidays, age 16+).
- Study restrictions: Dependants cannot study unless their studies are part-time and secondary (e.g., a spouse doing a short online course alongside the main student).
- Healthcare: Access to NHS via the Immigration Health Surcharge (same as the student).
A spouse can work full-time in any job with no restrictions. Many student families rely on spousal income to offset living costs.
A child cannot work or study at a level that becomes their primary activity. They can attend school, college, or university, but cannot use the Student Route themselves until they are 18.
Children and UK Schooling
If you bring school-age children (under 16), you must arrange their education:
- State schools: Free but have limited places; enrol immediately upon arrival
- Private schools: Paid but more flexible admission; costs £8,000–20,000/year
Your university may provide guidance on schools near your accommodation. Start enquiries 3–6 months before arrival.
IHS Health Surcharge for Dependants
Each dependant pays the Immigration Health Surcharge:
- Spouse: £719/year
- Each child: £719/year
This is in addition to your own IHS payment. For a 1-year course with spouse and 2 children, total IHS is:
- Your IHS: £1,035
- Spouse IHS: £719
- Child 1 IHS: £719
- Child 2 IHS: £719
- Total: £3,192
Family Settlement and Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
After 5 years as a Student Route visa holder with dependants, you and your dependants may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if you meet the criteria. ILR allows indefinite residence in the UK without needing to renew your visa.
Your spouse can switch to a Partner visa pathway after you have completed your course, if you meet financial requirements (typically £18,600+/year).
Children remain on dependent visas until age 18, then must transition to another visa category or leave the UK.
Common Issues with Dependant Applications
Missing relationship documentation: Ensure marriage and birth certificates are certified English translations.
Financial shortfall: Calculate dependant maintenance carefully; being short by even £50 can cause refusal.
Timing conflict: If your dependant applies before your own visa is approved, their application cannot proceed. Wait for your approval first or apply simultaneously.
Work restrictions misunderstood: Spouses often assume they cannot work without a visa extension. They can work immediately upon arrival on a dependent visa.
This article is for general information only and is not immigration advice. Consult a regulated OISC/IAA adviser for your case.
Sources
- UKVI Immigration Rules, Appendix Dependent Family Members
- gov.uk: Family Visas and Dependant Sponsorship
- UKCISA: Bringing Dependants to the UK
- UNILINK International Education Services (2024 Dependant Visa Analysis)
Last updated: 2025-06.