UK Dependant Visa Consultant in India (Mumbai | Delhi | Bengaluru)

Under UK immigration law, a dependent includes:

• Spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner (if they can provide proof of a genuine and subsisting relationship).
• Children under 18 years of age.
• Children over 18, but only if they are already in the UK as a dependent and are still financially reliant on the main applicant.

• Parents, siblings, and other extended family members cannot apply as dependents under this route.
• Parents of a Skilled Worker or Student visa holder cannot join them as dependents unless they qualify under the Adult Dependent

Feedback on successful UK Dependant Visa

Vidit P., Tier 2 Dependent Visa UK – Mumbai

Thank you very much for your help and support. The professional legal services we have received from SmartMove2UK have been straight to the point.

One of our clients, Prashant Mohalkar called from Croydon,. and we successfully completed Tier 2 UK Dependant Visa application for his wife Kavita Mohalkar and son Master Anish Mohalkar.

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If dependents are applying from outside the UK, they must:

1. Submit an Online Application – The application must be submitted through the UK Home Office website under the appropriate dependent category.

2. Pay the Visa Fee & Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) – The fee depends on the visa category and length of stay. The IHS fee grants access to NHS healthcare.
The UK Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fees are as follows

Skilled Worker Dependant Visa:

• Adults: £1,035 per year.
• Children under 18: £776 per year.

Student Dependant Visa:

• All dependants: £776 per year.

3. Provide Biometric Information – Applicants must visit a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to give fingerprints and a digital photograph.

4. Submit Supporting Documents, including:

• Proof of relationship with the main applicant.
• Evidence of financial maintenance.
• Accommodation details
• Tuberculosis (TB) test (required if applying from a country listed by the Home Office).
• Police clearance certificate (if the main applicant was required to provide one as part of their visa application).
• If only one parent is applying, proof of sole responsibility for the child.

5. Wait for a Decision – Standard processing time is usually 3 weeks, depending on the priority services.

Dependents must show they can be supported without claiming public funds.
The required amount depends on the main applicant’s visa:

Skilled Worker dependent visa

• £285 for a spouse/partner
• £315 for one child
• £200 for each additional child

These funds must be held in the applicant/sponsor’s bank account for at least 28 consecutive days before applying. If the main applicant has lived in the UK for 12 months or more, this requirement may be waived.

Student Dependant Visa

• £845 per month (for up to 9 months) if the course is in London
• £680 per month (for up to 9 months) if the course is outside London

These funds must be held in the applicant’s bank account for at least 28 consecutive days before the application date.

Dependents already in the UK may:

• Extend their stay if the main applicant is extending their visa.
• Switch to a dependent visa if they are on an eligible visa type (e.g., switching from a Student visa to a Spouse visa).

Applicants cannot switch to a dependent visa from within the UK if they are currently on a:

• Visitor visa
• Short-term study visa
• Parent of a Child Student visa
• Seasonal Worker visa

In these cases, they must leave the UK and apply from their home country.

A dependent visa is typically granted for the same duration as the main applicant’s visa. This means that the validity of the dependent’s visa is directly tied to that of the primary visa holder. If the main applicant’s visa is extended, changed, or leads to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain – ILR), dependents must take specific actions to ensure they maintain their legal status in the UK.

If the main applicant extends their visa, dependents must also apply for an extension before their current visa expires.

The extension application must demonstrate that:

• The relationship between the main applicant and the dependent remains genuine and subsisting.
• The financial requirements are being met.
• There is adequate accommodation.

Dependents can apply at the same time as the main applicant or later, but their visa duration will still be aligned with that of the main applicant.

When the main applicant qualifies for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), dependents do not automatically receive ILR.

They must meet specific requirements, which include:

• Living in the UK as a dependent for 5 continuous years.
• Demonstrating a genuine and subsisting relationship with the main applicant.
• Proving they have not spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period during their qualifying period for ILR.

If a dependent does not qualify for ILR at the same time as the main applicant, they must extend their dependent visa until they complete their own qualifying period for settlement.

• Both Parents with ILR: When both parents have obtained ILR, their dependant children under 18 can apply for ILR concurrently.
• One Parent with ILR: If only one parent has ILR and the other remains on a visa, the child typically must wait until both parents are settled before applying for ILR. However, if the parent with ILR has sole parental responsibility, the child may be eligible to apply.
• Dependant children who turn 18 while on a visa must continue to meet dependency requirements. They should apply for ILR when they become eligible, ensuring they do not lead an independent life, such as moving out, getting married, or having children.

If the main applicant becomes a British citizen, dependents do not automatically receive citizenship.
They must:

• Apply for ILR first (if they have not already)
• Meet naturalization requirements after holding ILR for 12 months (if applicable)

Failure to extend, switch, or apply for settlement before a visa expires may result in the dependent becoming an overstayer, affecting future applications

April 2026 UKVI Fee Increases

• As of 8 April 2026, the application fee for a Student Dependant Visa has increased to £558. The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) remains £776 per year for students and children, and £1,035 for adult Skilled Worker dependants. For a full breakdown of all visa categories, check our comprehensive guide to UK Home Office Immigration and Nationality Fees.

Dependents of Care Workers and Senior Care Workers No Longer Allowed

From March 11, 2024, dependents (spouses, partners, and children) are no longer permitted for those applying under the Health and Care Worker visa route as Care Workers or Senior Care Workers.

Restrictions on Student Visa Dependents
From January 1, 2024, international students can only bring dependents if they are:

• Government-sponsored students enrolled in a course longer than six months.
• Full-time postgraduate students (RQF level 7 or above) on a course lasting nine months or longer, but only if the course started before January 1, 2024.
• If the postgraduate course starts on or after January 1, 2024, dependants are allowed only if the course is:
  • A PhD or other doctorate (RQF level 8)
  • A research-based higher degree

• We have helped hundreds of clients get their Dependent Visa UK for their wife or dependent children to join them in the UK.
• These applications can appear to be complicated due to the UK Dependent Visa New Rules, where the UK sponsor must meet requirements of maintenance funds.
• If you would like to ascertain your eligibility for UK Dependant Visa, we would advise you to book an appointment with our UK Immigration Solicitors based in India (Mumbai | Delhi | Bengaluru) to discuss the merits of your case.
• It’s best to seek professional advice before you proceed to save unnecessary loss of time and expense.
• If you want more information, or want to know the process to apply for Dependent Visa UK From India, you can speak to any of our UK Dependant Visa Consultant on: