UK Dependent Visa Requirements 2025: Everything You Need to Know
If you’re an international student planning to study in the UK and want your family to join you, the UK Dependent Visa 2025 is your route. With recent updates by the UK Government, understanding the new dependent visa rules is essential before applying.
This visa allows eligible family members—your spouse, partner, or children—to live with you in the UK while you’re studying or working. However, there are specific eligibility rules, required documents, and financial requirements you must meet.
What Is a UK Dependent Visa?
A UK Dependent Visa allows the immediate family of a person holding a valid UK visa (like a Student or Skilled Worker Visa) to join them in the UK. The primary visa holder is often referred to as the “sponsor.”
The visa is commonly used by international students who wish to remain close to their family while studying abroad. Spouses or partners may even be allowed to work or study in the UK under this visa, but they cannot access public funds or government benefits.
Dependent visa holders may also be eligible for visa extensions, Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), or UK citizenship, depending on how long they stay.
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Who Can Apply for a UK Dependent Visa?
Eligible applicants for the UK dependent visa include:
- A spouse or civil partner
- An unmarried partner (if you’ve lived together for at least 2 years)
- Children under 18 years of age
Important 2025 Update:
As of 2025, not all international students are allowed to bring dependents. You can only bring your dependents if:
- You’re government-sponsored and enrolled in a full-time course of over 6 months, or
- You’re pursuing a postgraduate program (Master’s or PhD) that is on the UK’s list of eligible courses and runs for 9 months or more
Undergraduate students are no longer allowed to bring dependents unless they meet the sponsorship requirement.
UK Dependent Visa Requirements
For Spouses or Partners:
- Proof of a valid marriage or civil partnership
- For unmarried couples: Evidence of at least 2 years of cohabitation (e.g., bank statements, tenancy agreements, utility bills)
For Children:
- Must be under 18 years old
- Both parents must be present in the UK (unless one has sole custody or other exceptional circumstances)
- Children born in the UK or who previously held a dependent visa can apply for extensions
Financial Requirements for Dependent Visa (2025)
Applicants must show proof of sufficient financial means to support their family while in the UK. For dependents of Student Visa holders, the funds required are:
- £845 per month (if studying in London)
- £680 per month (if studying outside London)
This amount must be held in your bank account for at least 28 consecutive days, and no more than 31 days before your visa application.
You may be exempt from this financial requirement if you’ve lived in the UK for 12 months or more on a valid visa.
Required Documents for a UK Dependent Visa
To successfully apply, the following documents are typically needed:
- A valid international passport
- Marriage certificate (or civil partnership document)
- Proof of relationship (for unmarried partners)
- Birth certificates (for children)
- Bank statements showing financial requirements
- TB test results (for applicants from countries like Nigeria)
- Criminal record check (if applicable)
How to Apply for a UK Dependent Visa
The application process is conducted online via the UK Government Visa Portal. After filling out the online form:
- Gather and upload all required documents
- Book an appointment at a local UK Visa Application Centre (VAC) for biometric capture (photo and fingerprints)
- Submit your application and await feedback
For Nigerian Applicants:
Visa application centres are available in:
- Abuja
- Lagos – Ikeja & Victoria Island
Ensure to book the nearest VAC to you when completing your application ?