Dependants

A dependant is one of the following:

your husband, wife or civil partner
your unmarried or same-sex partner, with whom you have been in a relationship similar to marriage for at least two years. There is no requirement to have been living together.
your child under 18 years old

You can apply to bring a dependant to the UK if you're:

studying a postgraduate research-based course that lasts one year or more
a government-sponsored student on a course that lasts six months or longer

Parents and other family

Please note that parents and other family members are not considered dependants in the immigration rules for students and are therefore not eligible to accompany a student to the UK.

Apply

If you wish to apply for your first Dependant Visa, you must do so before you travel to the UK.

Apply via the Gov.uk website

Please be aware that each dependant will be required to apply separately from the main Student visa holder and will need their own original supporting documents (eg bank statements). All family members should apply at the same time.

Renewing outside the UK

If you need to renew your Dependant Visa outside the UK, you should follow the same procedure used when applying for your visa for the first time.

Related links

International Student Support self-referral form
For any queries, please complete our self-referral form. We aim to respond within three working days.

Find other contact details on our Contact us page.

Documents you will need

The online application form contains details of all the supporting documents dependants are required to submit with their application. Where applicable, these documents are the same as the documents needed for student applicants applying from overseas.

A dependant needs to show that they have access to £6,120 (£680 per month for nine months) for maintenance. An exception is made for Dependants renewing their visa in the UK, who have accompanied a student, studying on a Student Visa in the UK for at least 12 months.

'Low risk' applicants

If you meet all of the following criteria you do not have to produce financial documentation when applying for your Dependant Visa:

both you and the main applicant are considered 'low risk' applicants
you are applying at the same time as the main applicant
you are applying in your country of nationality (or inside the UK)
the main applicant holds the same nationality as you

Applying separately to the main applicant

If you do not submit your visa application at the same time as the main applicant, you should make sure that you include a copy of the main applicant's student visa in your application. Your application form should state clearly that you are joining the main applicant who will be in the UK as a student. Dependants should be given the same period of leave as the student.

Conditions for dependants

In most cases, if your Dependant Visa is valid for 12 months or more, you will be allowed to work in the UK.

Dependants who are allowed to work can take any form of employment, except as a doctor or dentist in training. You should check your visa stamp carefully for any additional conditions that have been applied. Dependants do, however, need to demonstrate that they are able to accommodate and maintain themselves without recourse to public funds and without relying on any potential future income in the UK. See UKCISA information for dependants for further information.

If your Dependant Visa is for 12 months or more, you may also study full or part time if you wish.

Dependants are entitled to the same NHS (National Health Service) care as full time students. See healthcare for international students for more information.

See also our information on schools and childcare and living in York.

Babies born in the UK

Being born in the UK does not automatically make a baby a British citizen. The baby needs to have a parent with British citizenship, or settled status in the UK, in order to be born British.

If your baby is not a British citizen, it is okay for them to remain in the UK without making an immigration application. However, the baby will require immigration permission to re-enter the UK after any travel abroad. It should also be noted that after your baby reaches three months of age, they will be liable to pay for NHS treatment. Therefore, you are advised to apply for a Dependant Visa as soon as possible after the baby's birth. As part of the visa application process you will have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for your baby, but in doing so they then become exempt from other NHS charges.

Apply online via gov.uk