The United Kingdom has long been a beacon for individuals seeking new opportunities and the UK government recognize that the well-being of the immigrants goes hand in hand with the unity and happiness of their families. This is why the UK offers student dependent visas, allowing the loved ones of the main applicants to join them on this journey.

These family members include spouses, civil partners, and children. However, it can be a little challenging to apply given to the changing immigration policies.

In this blog we have tried to address the main facets of the UK Student Dependant visa along with the changing rules and requirements.

According to the data from the UK Home Office, dependents of students received nearly 25% (149,400) of all study-related visas issued in the year ending March 2023, up from 15% (72,062) in the year ending March 2022.

The UK government announced changes in immigration rules on 17th July 2023, which affect international students studying in the UK. From January 2024, international students will no longer be permitted to bring dependants on their student visas, unless they are enrolled in a postgraduate research programme. Additionally, foreign students will not be permitted to switch to a work visa after unless they have completed their studies.

The new rules on student dependants will be applicable to international students who are starting their courses from January 2024.

These changes won’t affect you if you and your family are currently in the UK on a course that started before January 1, 2024, and you can continue to have your family living with you until your visa expires.

In the context of UK student visas, a dependent is typically a family member of the main applicant who relies on them for financial support. This include –

A legally married spouse or civil partner is considered as a dependent. The relationship must be recognized under UK law.

An unmarried partner who is in a long-term, committed relationship with the main applicant but is not legally married or in a civil partnership is considered as a dependant. Prior to submitting your application, you must provide evidence that you had been living with your partner for at least two years.

The UK recognizes and allows same-sex partners to apply for student dependent visa and partners in such relationships are treated the same as opposite-sex partners. You can bring your partner as dependant with you if you can provide evidence of your cohabitation for at least two tears before your application.

Children under the age of 18 years, including adopted children are considered as dependants.

You are allowed to bring dependants to join you in the following circumstances:

1. If your course is a postgraduate course and its duration is at least 9 months long
2. If your course is below postgraduate level, but you have official government financial support for your studies. The duration of your course must be at least 6 months long

For the dependant spouse or partner, your relationship must be genuine and subsisting to apply for the visa. Prior to submitting your application, you must provide evidence that you had been living with your partner for at least two years. This can be evidenced from a valid marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate, photographs, documents evidencing cohabitation and other supporting documents.

The dependents must also show that they are able to meet the maintenance funds requirements. As of December 2023, if the main applicant is studying on a course based outside London, then each dependent joining the main applicant must have at least £680 per month to support themselves for 9 months i.e. £ 680 x 9 = £6,120.

If the Student is studying on a course based in London, then each dependant joining the main applicant must have at least £845 per month to support themselves for 9 months i.e. £ 845 x 9 = £7,605.

You will need to provide evidence that suitable accommodation is available for the dependant family members during their stay in the UK. You must ensure that the accommodation is adequate for the number of people living there to prevent overcrowding. To prove the availability of accommodation you can provide details such as the address, tenancy agreement or letter from the landlord.

As of December 2023, the UK student dependant visa fee is £490. Applicants are also required to pay Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS) per year in order to access the National Health Service (NHS) during their stay in the UK.

The processing time for the UK student dependent visa is 3 weeks if you apply from outside the UK. If you apply from within the UK it will take 8 weeks to process your application. The processing period starts counting from the time you attend the biometric appointment, and the application is submitted.

You can pay an additional fee for your application to be processed faster through the priority and super priority services. The ‘priority’ service takes 5 days to process the visa, while the ‘super priority’ takes only 24 hours.

As of December 2023, the fee for ‘priority’ and ‘super priority’ processing are:

The duration of stay under a Student dependant visa is equivalent to the duration of stay granted to the main applicant. Dependant’s visa will expire on the same date as the main applicant.

You will need to include the following documents in your student dependant visa application:

1. Applicant’s passport
2. Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate
3. Birth certificate for child
4. Bank statements and ITR of the applicant confirming availability of maintenance funds
5. Documents confirming relationship between the dependant and main applicant
6. Evidence of availability of accommodation
7. You will need to provide a TB test certificate if you are applying from a country listed on the UK government’s list of countries with TB testing requirements. The test must be conducted at a clinic approved by the Home Office.)

It can be disheartening to have a UK visa application refused. If your UK student dependant visa has been refused, you may consider filing an Administrative Review.

You can request for an administrative review if you believe that your UK student dependant visa application and the submitted documents were incorrectly processed or evaluated by a caseworker, resulting in the refusal of your application. However, you must keep in mind that you cannot submit any additional documents. You have 14 calendar days, if you have applied from within the United Kingdom and 28 calendar days, if you apply outside the UK.

Depending on the reasons for refusal you may consider reapplying for the visa addressing the reasons for the refusal.