Skilled Worker Dependent Visa Solicitors
At a Glance
A Skilled Worker Dependent Visa is the route for a partner or child to join the holder of a Skilled Worker visa (formerly Tier 2) in the UK. This visa allows the dependant to live, work, and study in the UK for the same duration as the main applicant. The application requires extensive documentation to prove the genuine nature of the relationship and sufficient maintenance funds.
- Eligibility: Partners and children (under 18) of Skilled Workers.
- Rights: Dependants can live, work, and study in the UK.
- Duration: Linked to the expiry date of the main Skilled Worker visa.
- Processing Time: Typically 3 weeks (outside UK) or 8 weeks (inside UK). Priority services (5 working days) and Super Priority services (next working day) are available for an additional Home Office fee.
Joining Your Family in the UK
The Skilled Worker Dependent Visa allows partners and children to reside in the UK, provided the main applicant is contributing to the economy. This route is governed strictly by Appendix Skilled Worker of the UK Immigration Rules.
Warning: The Home Office enforces a “Zero Tolerance” policy on credibility. Under Paragraph SW 29, you must prove your relationship is “genuine and subsisting.” A single discrepancy in your evidence can lead to an instant refusal and lost application fees.
Our immigration solicitors specialise in complex dependent applications, ensuring your documentation meets the strict evidentiary standards required by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
Who Can Apply as a Dependant?
You can apply for a Skilled Worker Dependent Visa if you are the immediate family member of a person who has (or is applying for) a Skilled Worker Visa.
1. Partners and Spouses
To qualify as a dependant partner, you must be able to prove that you meet one of the following requirements:
- In a civil partnership or marriage recognised in the UK; or
- Living together in a relationship for at least two years (unmarried partners).
Genuine Relationship Test: We provide dedicated assistance for unmarried partners in compiling substantial cohabitation evidence (e.g., joint tenancy agreements, shared financial records) to robustly meet the minimum two-year relationship requirement mandated by the Home Office. This expert support ensures you meet the strict Immigration Rules on relationship genuineness.
2. Children You can apply for your child if:
- They are under 18 on the date of application.
- They are over 18 but currently in the UK as your dependant (and not living an independent life).
Note: If your child is 16 or over, you must prove they are not “living an independent life.” This means they should generally live with you, be financially supported by you, and not be married.
Financial Requirements (Maintenance Funds)
Unlike many general guides, we believe in transparency regarding costs. Unless the Skilled Worker’s A-rated sponsor certifies your maintenance (on the Certificate of Sponsorship), you must prove you have enough money to support yourself without public funds.
You must have held the following amounts in your bank account for at least 28 consecutive days:
| Applicant Type | Funds Required (GBP) |
| Partner | £285 |
| First Child | £315 |
| Additional Children | £200 (each) |
Note: These figures are in addition to the £1,270 required for the main Skilled Worker applicant if they are responsible for their own maintenance.
Read more about our Immigration Fees here.
The “Hidden” Costs: Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
It is crucial to budget for the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). As of 2024/25, this fee is mandatory for dependants and grants access to the NHS. Failure to pay the correct IHS amount will delay or invalidate your application.
Can Dependants Work in the UK?
Yes. This is a significant benefit of the Skilled Worker Dependent route.
- Work: Dependants can work in almost any role (including self-employment) except as a professional sportsperson or coach.
- Study: Dependants are free to study in the UK.
- No Sponsorship Needed: Dependants do not need their own employer sponsorship; their right to work is tied to the main visa holder.
The Application Process & Timeline
Applying for a dependent visa involves navigating complex Home Office portals and biometric appointments. Whether applying from outside the UK (Entry Clearance) or inside the UK (Switching/Extension), it’s vital to be accurate.
- Preparation: Gather marriage certificates, birth certificates, and proof of cohabitation (for unmarried partners).
- Submission: Complete the online application and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
- Biometrics: Attend a visa application centre to provide fingerprints and photos.
- Decision: Standard processing times are usually 3 weeks (outside UK) or 8 weeks (inside UK), though priority services may be available.
Common Complications We Resolve
We frequently assist clients who face complications such as:
- Sole Responsibility: If only one parent is applying to bring a child, we help prove “sole responsibility.” We assist in putting together specific evidence, such as school letters, medical records, and bank transfers, to prove you hold the primary parental role, to satisfy the requirements of Paragraph SW 29.1.
- Cohabitation Evidence: assisting unmarried partners who struggle to provide two years of official correspondence by helping them collect evidence to satisfy the Home Office.
- Maintenance Certification: Clarifying whether the employer has ticked the ‘Maintenance Certified’ box on the CoS.
Avoid delays or refusals. Contact our specialist Immigration Solicitors on 0345 894 1622.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Can I switch to a Skilled Worker Dependent Visa from inside the UK?
Yes, in most cases you can switch to this visa category without leaving the UK, provided you have valid leave to remain. However, you cannot switch if you are currently in the UK on a Visitor Visa, Short-term Student Visa, Seasonal Worker Visa, or on immigration bail. In these cases, you must leave the UK and apply for Entry Clearance from overseas.
Does this visa lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?
Yes. Skilled Worker Dependants are on a route to settlement. After living in the UK for a continuous period of 5 years as a dependant, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), provided you meet the residence and relationship requirements at that time.
Can I bring my parents as dependants on a Skilled Worker Visa?
Generally, no. The Skilled Worker Dependent route is strictly for partners and children. Parents can only be brought to the UK under the “Adult Dependent Relative” visa, which has an extremely high threshold of proof (requiring long-term personal care that cannot be obtained in their home country). This is a separate and complex application.
What happens to my visa if the main Skilled Worker loses their job?
Your permission to stay is linked to the main applicant. If the Skilled Worker’s sponsorship is withdrawn (e.g., they lose their job), their visa—and consequently yours—will usually be curtailed (shortened) to 60 days. You would both need to find a new sponsor or switch to a different visa category within that timeframe to avoid becoming overstayers.
Do I need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)?
Yes. All dependants applying for a visa duration of more than 6 months must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. This payment is made during the online application process and allows you access to the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK.
Can a Skilled Worker dependent work in the UK?
Yes. Dependents have significant freedom in the UK labour market. They can work in almost any job (including self-employment) and are not tied to a specific employer. The main restrictions are that they cannot work as a Doctor or Dentist in training (unless they have a degree in that field from a UK institution or previously held a visa that allowed this) or as a professional sportsperson/coach.
Start Your Dependent Visa Application
Our specialist Immigration Solicitors have successfully secured visas for countless families. If you are ready to apply or need expert guidance to ensure a ‘right first time’ application, call us now on 0345 894 1622 to arrange your initial consultation.