Are you an international student in UK on a student visa? Well, you may be eligible to bring your family along with you under the UK student dependent visa!
A student dependent visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows your dependents to come to the United Kingdom and live with you during your studies.
This visa is very beneficial to both you and your dependents because it helps you gain work and study opportunities in the United Kingdom.
To get a visa, you must be eligible and need to have a sufficient amount of funds to support yourself while in the UK. This financial requirement applies to both you and your dependents.
Obtaining a student dependent visa in the UK is very easy, but there are certain things that you need to know before you apply.
In this article, we will discuss some important aspects of the UK student dependent visa in the UK. We will show you how to apply for the visa and provide details about eligibility criteria, rules and visa processing time.
What Is UK Student Dependent Visa?
The UK student dependent visa is a type of non-immigrant visa that allows your family members to join you in the UK for your studies. It is one of the easiest ways for students to bring their family along while studying in the UK.
The student dependent visa is usually only granted to international students who are studying in the UK for a full-time course of study lasting more than 9 months sponsored by a university.
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Who Qualifies to Bring Dependents to the UK under Student Dependent Visa?
Not every student in UK can bring dependents along. You can only welcome dependents to the UK under a student dependent visa if you meet the following conditions. Here are the UK student dependent visa new rules.
- You are a Tier 4 student or are taking a full-time course lasting at least 9 months at a postgraduate level or an RFQ level 7 or master’s degree.
- You are a full-time government-sponsored student studying at a university for at least 6 months or more.
- You are applying for the Doctorate Extension Scheme.
If you don’t meet the above-mentioned conditions, you can still bring dependents to UK if you are an existing student in the UK. Here are some conditions you need to meet in order to qualify for bringing dependents to UK.
- You have valid student immigration (Tier 4) permission. If expired, then not more than 3 months before the new visa application.
- You are taking a course of 6 months or longer.
- Your family members apply for a dependent visa at the same time as your student visa application.
- Your family members have dependent immigration permission. If expired, then not 3 months before the new visa application.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements for A UK Student Dependent Visa?
To apply for a dependent visa UK Tier 4, your family members or dependents must meet the following mentioned eligibility criteria.
You can only apply for a UK student dependent visa if you fall into any of these categories,
- Husband or wife
- Civil partner
- Unmarried partner
- Children below 18 years
Dependent children can only apply for a UK student dependent visa if they meet these conditions.
- Age is under 18 years.
- Both parents are already in UK.
- One parent is in the UK; the other one is making an entry clearance application.
- Both parents are applying for UK entry clearance.
Dependent children with only one parent can also apply for a UK student dependent visa if they meet these conditions.
- Age is under 18 years.
- One parent has the sole responsibility for upbringing.
- There is only one surviving parent.
- Genuine reasons why the child can apply as a one-parent dependent.
Dependent children above 18 years of age may also apply for an extension of dependency permission. However, they can only do so if you are extending your student visa. Also, it must be done before the current visa expires.
Relationship between the Dependent and the Primary Applicant
For UK student dependent visa, you or your partner or child will need to prove that your relationship is legitimate. You need to present proof of relationship, like a birth certificate for your child and civil partner or a marriage certificate for a UK student spouse visa.
If you have a dependent child below 18 years of age, you also need to prove where they live, why they are not living with you and the expenses you incur on their behalf, i.e. rent, school fees, etc. If they are living with you, here are some things you need to provide.
- Bank statements and credit card bills
- NHS registration document
- Driving license
- Official letter from their university or college
UK Tier 4 Dependent Visa Maintenance Funds
You also need to show proof of funds when applying for a student dependent visa. You need to prove that you have enough funds available to support them while you are in the UK. Moreover, you need to show proof of funds to cover their cost of living for up to 9 months. Here is some information about UK student dependent visa financial requirements.
- GBP 845 a month for courses in London
- GBP 680 a month for courses outside London
Tier 4 Dependent Visa Work Eligibility UK
You may wonder, “can dependent visa holder work in UK?” The answer is yes. Dependents who visit UK under the student dependent visa are eligible to work if they are above 16 years. They can work full-time to support the family as they complete their studies.
How to Apply For a UK Student Dependent Visa?
If you have a student visa and would like to bring your partner or children with you, apply for a UK student dependent visa.
Here are the steps you need to follow when applying for a student dependent visa UK.
- Step 1: Fill Out An Online Form
The first step in applying for a UK student dependent visa is to fill out an online form. This is done through the official UK Visa Application Centre website and requires registering and creating an account. Follow the instructions given on the website and fill out the form completely before submitting.
- Step 2: Book An Appointment
Once you have submitted your application and paid your fee, you can now book a visa appointment with a visa solicitor to complete the process. Choose the right booking slot so that you don’t have to make any changes.
- Step 3: Receive An Email
Once the application is complete, you will receive an email from UKVCAS telling you what documents you need to bring with you to the visa appointment. If you haven’t finished the application form, you will receive an email with a link to complete the formality. Make sure you can access your email.
- Step 4: Visa Appointment
Now, you have to visit the visa application centre along with all the important documents. If you don’t have all the documents with you or if your application is not complete, the officer will not meet you. In this case, you need to book another appointment. Make sure you carry the right documents to avoid appointment rescheduling.
- Step 5: Make An Appointment At A Service Point
You also need to book an appointment to visit the biometrics service point. At the service point, you will need to get your fingerprints, and a digital photo taken. This process is called biometric enrolment. Once the application is processed, your passport and other documents will be retained.
- Step 6: Receive The Visa
Once you have submitted your application and completed all the other formalities, you will receive a decision about your student dependent visa from UK Visas and Immigration. However, once your visa application has been approved, the BRP (biometric Residence Permit) will arrive separately. If your visa application is refused, you need to contact International Student Advisory Team and send them a copy of your visa refusal.
- Step 7: Immigrating To The UK
If your dependents’ application is successful, you will get 30 days entry clearance permit on your passport. This allows you to immigrate to the UK. When you reach the country, you will get your actual visa, i.e. Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card, from the post office within 10 days.
What Documents Do You Need to Apply for a Student Dependent Visa UK?
In order to receive a UK student dependent visa, you need to submit supporting documents during the application process. Any documents that are not in English will need to be translated by a certified translator. Here is the UK tier 4 dependent visa documents list.
- Fill out the Student PBS dependent form.
- Current passport or travel document.
- Current BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) card for entry clearance.
- Dependent police registration certificate (when applying from UK).
- Tuberculosis Certificate (when applying from outside UK).
- UK student visa copy or BRP of the host.
- University enrollment letter of the host.
- Birth certificate for the child.
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate for student visa UK spouse.
- If not married, then other proofs of relationship (emails, phone logs, family photos, letters, etc.)
- Unmarried and same-sex partners need to show relationship proof that they are staying together for at least 2 years.
- Proof of funds, i.e. GBP 6120 per dependent, i.e. GBP 680 per month for 9 months.
- Children aged 16 or above need to show that they are not living independently (NHS registration document or bank account statements for address proof).
What Is the UK Tier 4 Dependent Visa Processing Time and Fees in UK?
The processing time and fee for a UK dependent visa Tier 4 application depend on the type of service you choose. It also depends on where you are applying for the visa from.
Typically, UK student dependent visa processing time is 12 weeks from the time you attend a biometric appointment and submit your application. This is when you apply for outside UK.
The visa fee per dependent is GBP 363 when applying from outside UK. You may also have to pay an additional GBP 55 if you visit the ‘user pay VAC’ (Visa Application Centre).
Apart from that, you also have to pay an additional fee if you choose priority service. Here are some details about the processing time and application fee if you apply from within UK.
| Application Type | Processing Time | Processing Fees Per Dependent |
| Standard | 8 Weeks | GBP 490 |
| Priority | 5 Working days | GBP 500 |
| Super Priority | Weekdays: By next dayWeekend: After 2 days | GBP 800 |
FAQs
How Many Hours Can Dependent Work In UK?
If you’re a dependent and your age is above 16 years, you can work full-time in UK.
Can My Spouse Work In UK While I Study?
If your spouse is on a student visa, they can work in the UK while you are on your course. However, they must prove that they can support themselves and their family.
What Is a Parents Consent Letter For UK Visa Tier 2 Dependent?
A parent’s consent letter is a document that you can provide to the Home Office as proof of your relationship with the dependent family member. It is also a requirement for students who are applying to extend their student visa or switch to another UK visa type.
Conclusion
International students are allowed to bring their family members (dependents) to the UK. This includes a spouse, children or civil partner. However, it is important to remember that there are separate visa rules for these dependents. In order to bring them to UK, you need to apply for a UK student dependent visa. It is a special type of non-immigrant visa that helps students to bring their family to the UK if they have a student visa. Those who apply for a student dependent visa must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to meet the maintenance requirements while in the UK.
