Global Talent Visa Dependants

For Global Talent visa holders, one of the most important considerations is whether family members can join or remain with them in the UK. The immigration rules allow eligible dependants to apply, but the requirements, process and rights differ depending on the relationship and circumstances.

What this article is about: This article provides a detailed guide for Global Talent visa dependants. It explains who qualifies as a dependant, how to apply, the conditions of stay, and the path to settlement. Employers, visa applicants and their families will find practical guidance on eligibility, compliance and long-term planning.

Section A: Who Counts as a Dependant?

Family members of Global Talent visa holders may be able to join or remain in the UK as dependants. UK immigration law sets out specific categories of relatives who can qualify, and applicants must provide clear evidence of their relationship and dependency.

1. Spouses, Civil Partners and Unmarried Partners

A dependant can be a husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner of the Global Talent visa holder. Unmarried partners must have lived together in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years immediately before the date of application. Evidence typically includes joint tenancy agreements, shared utility bills, bank statements covering the period of cohabitation, or other records showing a durable relationship.

2. Dependent Children Under 18

Children under 18 can apply as dependants. They must not be married, in a civil partnership or living independently. Where relevant, parents should provide evidence of sole or joint parental responsibility and documents that show the child’s dependency and usual residence arrangements.

3. Children Aged 18 or Over Already in the UK as Dependants

Children who are 18 or over can qualify only if they already hold, and are applying to extend or vary, permission as a dependant of the same main Global Talent visa holder. They must normally continue to live with their parents (unless in full-time education at boarding school, college or university) and remain financially dependent without forming an independent household.

4. Evidence of Relationship

Dependants must provide documents proving their relationship to the Global Talent visa holder. This may include marriage or civil partnership certificates, full birth certificates, adoption orders, or other official records. For partners, proof of cohabitation and shared financial responsibility is required. Consistency across documents and dates is important to avoid credibility concerns.

Section A Summary

Eligible dependants include partners and children who meet the relationship and dependency criteria. The single most important element of a dependant application is providing clear, reliable evidence. For children 18 or over, it is critical to show they already hold dependant status under the same route and remain part of the family unit.

Section B: How to Apply as a Dependant

Applying as a dependant of a Global Talent visa holder involves separate online applications for each family member, with biometrics and supporting documents to prove eligibility. The exact steps differ slightly depending on whether the application is made from outside the UK or by switching in-country.

1. Application Routes: Outside the UK and In-country Switching

Outside the UK: Apply online via the official portal, pay the fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), then attend a visa application centre to enrol biometrics and submit documents.

Inside the UK (switching): You may switch into dependant permission if you already have valid leave in an eligible category. You cannot switch if you are in the UK as a Visitor, Short-term Student, Seasonal Worker, or Domestic Worker in a Private Household, or if you have leave outside the Rules, are in breach of immigration laws (other than permitted overstaying), or are on immigration bail. In those cases, you must normally leave the UK and apply from overseas.

2. Documents Required

The evidence must establish the qualifying relationship and ongoing dependency. Typical documents include:

• Partners: Marriage or civil partnership certificate; for unmarried partners, evidence of at least two years’ cohabitation (e.g. joint tenancy, utility bills, joint bank statements covering the period).
• Children: Full birth or adoption certificate; evidence of parental responsibility; proof the child is not married/in a civil partnership or living independently; education enrolment letters if relevant.
• All applicants: Passports, biometric enrolment confirmation, relationship evidence, and (if applying from a listed country) a tuberculosis (TB) test certificate meeting UK requirements.

Ensure names, dates and addresses are consistent across documents to avoid credibility issues.

3. Fees and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

Each dependant pays an application fee and the IHS at the prevailing rate per year of permission requested. The fee bands and IHS rates are set by law and updated periodically; check the current amounts before submission. Where a longer grant is sought (to align with the main visa holder), total IHS will reflect that duration.

4. Processing Times and Priority Services

Outside the UK: Standard processing is typically around three weeks from biometrics, with paid priority options available in some locations.

Inside the UK: Standard processing is usually up to eight weeks from biometrics, with optional priority services where offered. Actual timelines depend on caseload and the completeness of your evidence.

Section B Summary

Plan the route (overseas or in-country) and check switching eligibility before you apply. Prepare relationship and dependency evidence carefully, include TB certificates only if required based on country of application, and budget for both the fee and IHS at current rates. Using priority services can expedite decisions where available.

Section C: Conditions of Stay for Dependants

Once granted a dependant visa, family members of Global Talent visa holders are given permission to stay in the UK under specific conditions. These rules align their immigration status with that of the main visa holder, while granting them important rights to work and study.

1. Duration of Stay

The dependant’s permission is generally granted to end on the same date as the main Global Talent visa holder’s permission. Where the main visa holder extends or switches visa category, dependants must also apply to extend or vary their leave to maintain lawful status in the UK.

2. Right to Work

Dependants can work in the UK without restriction on the type of employment, including full-time, part-time and self-employment. The only prohibition is on working as a professional sportsperson or sports coach. This provides dependants with considerable flexibility to contribute financially or pursue career opportunities.

3. Right to Study

Dependants can study at any level in the UK. They do not need separate student permission and can access schools, colleges and universities subject to the same rules as domestic students, though tuition fees for higher education may be at international rates.

4. Access to Public Funds

Dependants are subject to a “no recourse to public funds” condition. This prohibits access to most welfare benefits and public housing. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they can be maintained and accommodated in the UK without recourse to public funds.

5. Travel and Re-entry

Dependants with valid permission may travel in and out of the UK freely. However, absences will not affect extensions of dependant permission but are strictly relevant to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) applications. Exceeding the permitted absence threshold can prevent a dependant from qualifying for settlement even if their visa remains valid for re-entry.

Section C Summary

Dependants benefit from broad rights to work and study in the UK and can travel internationally, provided their visa remains valid. They must not access public funds, and long-term planning should account for absence rules that affect ILR eligibility rather than extensions.

Section D: Settlement and ILR for Dependants

Dependants of Global Talent visa holders may qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after completing the required period of lawful residence. ILR provides permanent settlement rights, allowing family members to remain in the UK without immigration restrictions and progress towards British citizenship.

1. Eligibility for ILR

Dependants are usually eligible to apply for ILR after five continuous years in the UK under dependant permission. Each dependant is assessed individually; their qualifying period runs from the date they were first granted permission as a dependant, not necessarily from the main visa holder’s start date.

2. Continuous Residence Requirement

Dependants must demonstrate continuous residence in the UK. They must not have been absent from the UK for more than 180 days in any rolling 12-month period during the five years. Exceeding this limit breaks residence continuity and may delay eligibility for settlement.

3. ILR Application Process

The ILR process involves completing an online application, enrolling biometrics, and paying the ILR fee. Adult dependants aged 18–64 must also pass the Life in the UK Test and meet the English language requirement unless exempt. Evidence of residence, relationship and financial stability may also be required.

4. Applying Alongside the Main Visa Holder

Dependants may apply for ILR at the same time as the main Global Talent visa holder, but only if they already meet the five-year residence requirement. If they do not yet qualify, they must extend their dependant visa until they complete the required residence period and can apply independently for ILR.

5. Path to British Citizenship

After obtaining ILR, dependants may apply for British citizenship. In most cases, they must wait 12 months after ILR before applying. Spouses and civil partners of British citizens may be able to apply immediately upon securing ILR. All applicants must meet residence, good character and language requirements.

Section D Summary

ILR offers dependants permanent settlement rights after five years of residence, subject to absence restrictions, language and testing requirements. Planning applications carefully ensures family members can secure ILR either alongside or after the main visa holder, with citizenship as a natural next step.

FAQs

Can my unmarried partner apply as a dependant?
Yes. Unmarried partners can apply if they have lived together in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years before the application. Strong evidence of cohabitation is required.

Do dependants need to meet an English language requirement?
Not at the initial application or extension stage. However, adult dependants aged 18–64 must meet the English language requirement when applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain, unless exempt.

Can my dependant work in any job?
Dependants can work in the UK in most roles, including full-time, part-time and self-employment. The only restriction is on working as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.

What happens if my child turns 18 during the visa period?
A child who turns 18 while already in the UK as a dependant may continue to hold dependant status, provided they remain financially reliant on their parents and part of the same household, or are in full-time education.

Can dependants apply for British citizenship after ILR?
Yes. After securing ILR, dependants may apply for British citizenship. Most must wait 12 months, although spouses and civil partners of British citizens may be eligible to apply immediately after ILR.

Conclusion

The Global Talent visa route enables eligible family members to join or remain with the main visa holder in the UK. The dependant rules cover partners and children, with strict requirements for evidence of relationship and dependency. Once granted permission, dependants enjoy wide-ranging rights to work and study, but must remain financially independent of public funds.

For families with long-term plans, careful management of extensions and continuous residence is essential to secure Indefinite Leave to Remain. At the ILR stage, adult dependants must also meet the English language requirement and pass the Life in the UK Test unless exempt. Achieving ILR opens the path to British citizenship, offering permanent security and stability in the UK.

Employers, visa holders and their families should approach dependant applications and settlement planning with thorough preparation to avoid refusals and ensure compliance with the Immigration Rules.

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