Dependant visas

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

The Immigration Rules define a ‘dependant’ as being:

• a husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner;
• a child under 18, including if they were born in the UK 
• a child over 18 if they are already in the UK as a dependant.

No other family members are eligible to be a dependant.

Eligibility

Global Talent, Tier 2 and GAE visa applicants/holders can apply to bring their family to the UK, or for them to continue to stay, as their dependants.

Skilled Worker visa applicants/holders may be able to apply to bring their family to the UK, or for them to continue to stay, as their dependants. This depends on the following factors:

• 'higher skilled' roles (includes research and teaching): dependants can come to/stay in the UK

• 'medium skilled' roles dependants can come to/stay in the UK if:
  • you are applying for a child and:
    • your child was born in the UK; or
    • your child is already in the UK as a dependant and their other parent is also sponsored for a job listed as ‘medium skilled’; or
    • your child is already in the UK as a dependant and you are their only living parent; or
  • your first CoS was assigned before 22nd July 2025 and Skilled Worker permission has been continuous since then. If your first CoS was assigned on or after 22nd July 2025, your dependants cannot come to/stay in the UK unless they are a child and meet one of the above criteria.

If you are unsure whether your role is 'higher skilled' or 'medium skilled', please check the 4-digit "job type" code on your CoS.

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 husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner of a person who is either:

• applying for a Global Talent, Skilled Worker or GAE visa at the same time as the applicant; or
• present in the UK and already holds a Global Talent, Tier 2/Skilled Worker or GAE visa; or
• present in the UK, holds Indefinite Leave to Remain or British Citizenship and, when they applied for ILR, they held a Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent)/Global Talent or Tier 2/Skilled Worker visa.

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 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.