Applying for partner and child dependant visas

Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026

Start with the main applicant's route

Dependant permission belongs to a specific immigration route, so there is no universal family application. Open Your partner and children for the main applicant's actual permission, such as Skilled Worker ↗, Global Talent ↗ or another route.

First check whether family members can join. Care worker and medium-skilled Skilled Worker roles have restrictions and transitional exceptions. For Students ↗, eligibility depends on course type and funding; most ordinary taught master's courses starting after January 2024 do not create this entitlement. An adult applicant's parents are not automatically covered by dependant partner or child rules.

Prepare relationship evidence

A partner needs evidence of a recognised marriage or civil partnership, or a qualifying durable relationship. If living apart is unavoidable, explain why and show the continuing commitment. One message or joint photograph is not a substitute for a consistent relationship history.

For a child, prepare the full birth certificate, passport, information about both parents and living arrangements. Check age, independent-life restrictions and Appendix Children requirements ↗. Parents living separately may need an additional explanation of parental responsibility. Documents outside English or Welsh require the appropriate translation.

Budget and link the applications

Each family member has their own application, identity checks and expenses. Use the main application GWF/UAN number or the family linking code offered by the service. Check the number carefully: linking forms helps processing but does not replace each person's application.

For Skilled Worker dependants, ordinary maintenance amounts are £285 for a partner, £315 for the first child and £200 for each additional child, separate from the main applicant's funds. The money normally needs to be held for 28 days, ending within the specified period; exemptions may apply based on UK residence or sponsor certification. Do not apply these amounts to Students, whose calculation is different. Add visa fees and IHS for each applicant's age and permission duration.

Plan extensions and route changes

The main applicant's new visa does not automatically update family permissions. Check every eVisa expiry date and the possibility of separate extensions before those dates. Switching inside the UK has restrictions based on existing status, particularly for visitors; establish whether applying without leaving is possible first.

For inside-UK applications, avoid travel outside the Common Travel Area before a decision, as this can result in withdrawal. After approval, check each person's dates and conditions. Work, study and future settlement rights follow the relevant route; the main applicant's shorter settlement period does not necessarily apply to their partner.