The UK dependant visa allows a child to move to the UK with parents who are British citizens, have indefinite leave to remain, are settled or on a visa that allows them to bring dependants with them to the UK.
Who is considered a dependant in the UK?
A dependent is someone who is under the age of 18. Only under exceptional circumstances is a person over the age of 18 considered a dependant in cases where they are not able to look after themselves.
You can apply for a UK dependant visa if both parents are settled in the UK or on a qualifying visa that allows them to bring dependants. In the case where it’s just one parent, they will need to prove that they have sole responsibility for their child.
How the UK government defines a parent
A parent is someone who is:
- A natural biological parent
- An adoptive parent
- A step-parent where a biological parent has died
The UK parent visa
If your child lives in the UK, you can apply for a UK parent visa if you need to look after them. This visa is only for a parent joining a child who lives in the UK. If you are joining your partner in the UK, you must apply for a UK spouse or partner visa.
To qualify for a parent visa your child must be under the age of 18 or under 18 when the first application for the visa was made and not living an independent life.
If your child is over 18, you must be able to prove they do not live an independent life.
Your child must be living in the UK and they must be one of the following:
- A British or Irish citizen
- A UK permanent resident (have indefinite leave to remain or settled status)
If you apply from within the UK, the child must have lived in the UK for at least seven years and you must show that it would not be reasonable for them to leave.
You will also need to prove that:
- You are taking an active role in your child’s life and upbringing and plan to continue after you apply
- You have good English language knowledge
- You have sufficient funds to support yourself without claiming public funds
The UK child visa
If you are applying to move to the UK as the partner or spouse of someone already living in the UK and your child will be coming with you, you must apply for their dependant visa at the same time as your partner visa application.
If your child was born outside of the UK, you must show:
- The child was under 18 when you first applied
- You have enough funds to sponsor the child
You will need to meet the financial requirements. This is set at £18,600. It will cost an extra £3,800 for one child, and £2,400 per additional child thereafter.
If you are coming to the UK on another type of visa, it might still be possible to bring your child with you as a dependant.
UK visas that allow you to bring dependants
If you and your partner are not UK residents but want to move to the UK with your child or children, these are the visas that will allow you to bring dependants with you.
The Skilled Worker visa and Health and Care Worker visa
The Skilled Worker visa, previously known as the Tier 2 visa, lets you bring your partner and child with you to the UK. Your dependants’s visas will be valid for the same period as yours.
If you’re a healthcare professional, you can apply for a Health and Care Worker visa. You do not need to pay the health surcharge with this visa.
To bring depandants with, you will need to prove that:
- You and your dependant are related
- Your depandant is unmarried and does not have children
- Your dependant will be financially supported by you
- Your dependant is living with you (unless they are in full-time education) – this only applies children over the age of 16
You must have enough money to support your child – £315 for one child and £200 for each additional child, which needs to be available for at least 28 sequential days.
Your dependants will also need to prove their identity. They will need to get their fingerprints and photographs taken at a visa application centre for their biometric residence permit.
The Student visa
Your partner or children may be able to apply to come to the UK or extend their stay in the UK if you are in the UK on a Student visa.
You must be:
- A full-time student on a postgraduate-level course that lasts nine months or longer
- A new government-sponsored student on a course that lasts longer than six months
- A Doctorate Extension Scheme student
You must prove:
- You are related to your child
- That your child does not live independently if they are over the age of 16
- You can provide financial support for your child – this amount will depend on where you are studying
They will also need to get their biometric information taken.
Tier 1: Business visas – The Start up, Innovator and Investor visas
Start up visa
You will need to prove the same information as the Skilled Worker visa – outlined above. You must be the legal parent and prove that your child lives with you. You can bring your spouse or partner as well as children with UK Start up the visa. The money you need to have in addition to £1,270 to support yourself is:
- £315 for one child
- £200 for each additional child
The money must have been in your account for more than 28 days before your application.
Innovator visa
You will need to have £1,270 you must have to support yourself and then:
- £315 for one child
- £200 for each additional child
Investor visa
There are no maintenance fee requirements, but your dependents must have their biometric information taken.
Getting permanent residence in the UK for a child
Your child can apply for indefinite leave to remain if they are under 18 and both parents are permanent residents in the UK, or the parent that is solely responsible for them is a UK permanent resident.