Dependant Visa – Move Abroad with Your Family

The Dependant Visa allows families to live together in a foreign country. If you are moving abroad for work, school, or to live there permanently, your relatives can come with you and share the experience of building a life in that country.

• In 2024, over 260,000 Dependant Visas were given to relatives of skilled workers, students, and residents.
• Dependants made up 69% of all work visa approvals in 2024.
• Visas for families increased by 7%, which shows that more families want to migrate.
• Even though student visa rules changed, many families still got Dependant Visas.
• More than 162,000 people became permanent residents in the UK; many were relatives of visa holders.

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What Is a Dependant Visa?

A dependent visa allows family members, such as spouses, partners, children, or in some cases parents—to join a principal applicant (main visa holder) in a foreign country. It provides legal permission to stay with the primary visa holder for the duration of their visa.

*Looking for assistance to migrate overseas? Y-Axis is here to support you with the process.

 

Benefits of a Dependant Visa

Some of the benefits of a Dependant Visa are given below.

• Family members can live in the same country under one immigration status.
• Most often, individuals can work or study without needing a separate sponsor.
• People can use public services like healthcare and education services.
• People can pursue long-term residency or citizenship through living in the country over time.
• Families can travel in and out of the country with greater ease.

Who Can Be Considered a Dependant?

You can apply for a Dependant visa if you meet the criteria:

• You are the spouse or civil partner of the primary visa holder.
• You are an unmarried partner and can prove you've been in a relationship for at least two years.
• You are a child under 18, including biological, step or adopted children.
• In select countries, adult Dependant like elderly parents might also be eligible under particular situations.

 

Types of Dependant Visas

Dependant visas are connected to the primary applicant's visa category, including:

• Skilled Worker Dependant Visa
• Student Dependant Visa (for postgraduate or sponsored students)
• Health and Care Worker Dependant Visa
• Global Talent, Innovator, or Scale-Up Dependant Visa
• Family and Settlement Visas (spouse/partner of a permanent resident or citizen)

 

Eligibility Criteria for Dependant Visas

To be eligible, a Dependant must satisfy certain requirements:

• The sponsor needs to have a current visa or immigration status.
• Proof of a real and continuing relationship must be provided.
• Evidence of adequate financial resources and appropriate housing must be shown.
• Applicants must be healthy and meet security standards.
• Children are generally required to be under 18 years old and rely on the sponsor for financial support.

Common Requirements and Documents

When applying for a Dependant visa, you will generally need to submit the documents listed below.

• A current passport, along with your biometric data
• Marriage or birth certificates to prove family ties
• Sponsor’s BRP/Visa Copy
• A copy of the sponsor’s visa and other documents showing their legal status
• Bank statements, pay stubs, or other evidence of financial stability
• Details of your accommodations and proof of residence
• Medical certifications, such as a TB test (if needed)

 

How to Apply for a Dependant Visa?

The process to apply for a Dependant Visa is given below.

Step 1: Determine correct visa stream based on destination country

Step 2: Gather required documents (passport, relationship proof, sponsor’s status)

Step 3: Complete online or paper-based application

Step 4: Pay the required visa fee

Step 5: Schedule and attend biometrics and/or interview (if applicable)

Step 6: Wait for decision and visa issuance

 

 

Dependant Visa Fees and Costs

The standard cost of Dependant Visa is given below.

Fee Type	Estimated Cost (GBP)
Application Fee	£300 – £1,500
Healthcare or Insurance Fee	£400 – £800 per year
Biometric Fee	£20 – £100
Priority or Express Processing	£250 – £1,000
Document Services	£50 – £200 (per document)

 

Processing Times for Dependant Visas

The general processing times for Dependant visas are given below.

Application Type	Estimated Processing Time
Standard Application (Outside Country)	3 to 6 weeks
In-Country Switch or Extension	6 to 8 weeks
Priority Processing	5 to 10 working days
Super Priority / Express (if offered)	1 to 2 working days
Complex or Special Cases	Up to 12 weeks or longer

 

Dependent Visa Types by Country

Country	Dependent Visa Types
UK	- Spouse/Civil Partner Visa
	- Child Dependent Visa
	- Parent (Exceptional Cases)
USA	- H-4 (for H-1B dependents)
	- L-2 (for L-1 dependents)
	- F-2 (for F-1 dependents)
	- J-2 (for J-1 dependents)
Canada	- Spouse Open Work Permit
	- Child Visa
	- Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship
Australia	- Subclass 309/100 (Offshore Partner)
	- Subclass 820/801 (Onshore Partner)
	- Subclass 101 (Child)
	- Subclass 103/143 (Parent)
EU (e.g., Germany, France, Sweden)	- Family Reunification Visas for spouses, children
	- Blue Card dependent permits
	- Long-stay family visas

 

 

Rights and Restrictions for Dependants

Individuals with Dependant visas have several rights:

• They can work full-time, begin businesses, or continue their education.
• Their kids are able to go to school.
• They can access the NHS and public schools.
• They cannot get public money, but they can access almost all other services.
• Their visa is often good as long as the main applicant's visa is good.

 

Can Dependants Apply for Permanent Residency or Citizenship?

Yes, those who are dependants can also seek settlement:

• In many countries, dependants can apply for permanent residency after residing there for five years.
• After holding permanent residency for a certain period, you might be able to apply for citizenship.
• Usually, the time a person spends on a dependant visa can be counted toward the years needed for residency.

 

Common Reasons for Refusal

To ensure a smooth process, applicants should avoid these common mistakes:

• Submitting missing or incomplete documents.
• Providing unclear or unproven proof of relationship to the sponsor.
• Failing to meet financial requirements.
• Including gaps or errors in the application.
• Having previous immigration violations or legal problems.

 

How Y-Axis Can Help You?

Y-Axis has extensive experience assisting families with their immigration applications, aiming to reduce stress during the process by providing:

• Individual assessments of visa eligibility for each family member.
• Expert advice on compiling and submitting the required documentation.
• Careful application filing and review to ensure accuracy.
• Support with interview preparation and post-visa steps
• Complete support throughout the entire process, from initial form completion to visa approval.