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Family members of individuals with a Global Talent/Skilled Worker/GAE visa

Eligibility

University employees with a Global Talent, Tier 2, Skilled Worker or Temporary Worker GAE visa may apply to bring their family to the UK as their dependants. For the purposes of these applications, the Immigration Rules define ‘dependants’ as being:

  • Husband, wife or civil partner;
  • Unmarried or same-sex partner;
  • Child aged under 18 at the time of application.

No other family members are eligible to be dependants.

Applying for a visa

A dependant visa can be obtained from either inside or outside the UK. However, if an individual is applying from inside the UK, they must not be holding a visitor visa, visitor status granted at the border, or a short-term study visa. If they are, they must leave and apply from outside the UK.

There are a number of requirements that must be met in order for an individual to be eligible for a dependant visa:

Spouses/Partners

Individuals who wish to apply for a dependant visa must be the spouse or civil partner, unmarried or same-sex partner of a person who is either:

  • Present in the UK and already holds a Global Talent, Tier 2/Skilled Worker or Tier 5 GAE/Temporary Worker GAE visa; or
  • Applying for a Global Talent, Skilled Worker or Temporary Worker GAE visa at the same time as the applicant; or
  • Present in the UK, holding Indefinite Leave to Remain or British Citizenship, and formerly held a Global Talent or Tier 2/Skilled Worker when they settled.

If you entered into marriage or civil partnership immediately before making a dependant visa application, we would recommend to also include evidence of relationship prior to marriage/civil partnership, alongside evidence of marriage/civil partnership, going as far back as possible (up to a maximum of two years).

For unmarried and same-sex partners, the couple must have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage/civil partnership for a period of at least two years. Please speak to the Compliance Team for further advice if required.

Children(inc. the 'sole responsibility' rules)

In order for children to be granted a dependant visa, the following Rules must be met:

  • The child(ren)’s parent must hold or be applying for a Global Talent visa, Tier 2/Skilled Worker visa or Temporary Worker GAE visa; and

  • Both parents must be applying for a visa at the same time as the child(ren), with at least one parent applying for one of the aforementioned visas or both parents are already in the UK with visas (except visitor status), and at least one parent holds one of the aforementioned visas, unless:

  • They are the sole surviving parent of the child(ren); or

  • They hold ‘sole responsibility’ for the child(ren); or

  • There are serious or compelling family considerations which must be taken into account.

Please contact the Compliance Team if you require further guidance on any of these issues.

English Language Requirements

There are currently no English language requirements for those applying for dependant visas.

Conditions of Leave

Dependent visas, once issued, are valid for the same length of time as the main applicant’s visa, and allow multiple entry into and exit from the UK. Dependant visa holders will have the following conditions attached to their leave:

  • Work - unlimited right to work (any job/any skill level), including self employment and voluntary work; and
  • Study - unlimited right to study; and
  • No recourse to public funds.

Please note that the ability to live and work in the UK on a dependant visa is tied to the validity of the main applicant’s visa. Once their visa expires, the dependant’s visa also expires. Any department employing an individual who holds a dependant visa will be contacted by the Compliance Team three months before the visa expires, in line with the procedure documented on the visa expiry pages.