Graduate Dependent Visa UK

The UK Graduate Dependent visa allows the partner and children of a Graduate visa holder to live in the UK during the main applicant’s period of leave. However, only family members who already had (or last had) permission as dependants of the student under the Student or Tier 4 route can qualify on the Graduate route, with a limited exception for a child born in the UK during the Student leave.

What this article is about: This guide explains who qualifies as a dependant under the Graduate route, how applications are made, what evidence is required, and the rights and restrictions for dependants once granted permission. It also highlights compliance points to reduce refusal risk.

Dependants can include a husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried partner, and children, but for Graduate applications the key test is prior dependant status on the Student/Tier 4 route (or UK-born child during that leave). Each applicant must submit their own application and evidence their relationship and dependency as required.

The rules for Graduate dependants differ from other categories (for example, Skilled Worker). The Graduate route does not lead to settlement and time on it does not count toward ILR under this route.

Section A: Who Can Apply as a Graduate Dependant

Dependants under the Graduate route are the partner or child of the Graduate visa holder who already had (or last had) permission as a dependant under the Student/Tier 4 route, or a child born in the UK during the Student leave. New dependants who did not hold such permission cannot join on the Graduate route.

1. Eligible Partners

A person may qualify as a dependant partner if they are: the spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner (with at least 2 years’ relationship evidence). They must also have been a dependant on the Student/Tier 4 route and remain in a genuine and subsisting relationship at application. Evidence can include marriage/civil partnership certificates, joint tenancy or bills for unmarried partners, and other documents evidencing an ongoing committed relationship where cohabitation wasn’t possible.

2. Eligible Children

Children qualify if they were dependants on the Student/Tier 4 route (and remain dependent), or if born in the UK during the Student leave. A child 18 or over must have last been granted permission as a dependant child and must not be living an independent life. Typical evidence includes bank statements, official letters showing address, and proof of ongoing financial/emotional support where living away for full-time study.

3. Children Born in the UK

A child born in the UK during the Student leave is not automatically British and requires a dependant application if travel or status recognition is needed.

4. Key Relationship and Dependency Tests

Caseworkers assess relationship genuineness for partners and dependency/cohabitation for children. For older children, decision-makers look for evidence that they are not living an independent life and continue to rely on the parent(s).

Section Summary: Eligible Graduate dependants are limited to those who already held Student/Tier 4 dependant status (or a UK-born child during that leave). Relationship and dependency evidence remains central to success.

Section B: Application Process

Each dependant must make a separate online application, pay the applicable fee, and prove identity. Applications may be made either in the UK (if the person has or last had qualifying dependant permission) or from overseas, but the prior dependant status requirement still applies.

1. Where and How to Apply

• Inside the UK: Those with current or most recent Student/Tier 4 dependant permission can apply to stay as Graduate dependants.
• Outside the UK: Application is online; applicants must still show they previously held Student/Tier 4 dependant permission (or are UK-born children during the Student leave).

2. Completing the Online Form

Each applicant completes the official online form and supplies the Graduate main applicant’s UAN; they must also provide proof they were Student/Tier 4 dependants (eVisa share code/BRP evidence).

3. Supporting Documents

Core evidence includes:

• Proof of relationship (marriage/civil partnership certificate, birth certificate, or cohabitation documents for unmarried partners)
• Proof they had (or last had) Student/Tier 4 dependant permission (eVisa share code or BRP)
• For older children, documents showing residence and ongoing dependency
• Translations are required for non-English/Welsh documents

4. Biometric Enrolment and Identity Verification

Applicants will either use the UK Immigration: ID Check app or attend UKVCAS/VAC to provide biometrics, depending on nationality/document type. Typical decision timeframe is up to 8 weeks after biometrics/evidence submission.

Section Summary: Process is digital and evidence-driven. Crucially, applicants must show prior Student/Tier 4 dependant status (or UK-born child during Student leave).

Section C: Financial Requirements

Graduate dependants are not required to meet a specified maintenance funds threshold. Unlike sponsored work routes, there is no need to submit 28-day bank statements showing balances for a partner or children. Caseworkers focus on identity, immigration history, and relationship/dependency evidence for this route.

1. No Maintenance Funds Requirement

The Home Office does not apply the fixed sums sometimes seen in other categories. Applicants should not include generic “maintenance” bank statements unless specifically requested, as they are not part of the Graduate dependant criteria.

2. Evidence Position

Because there is no financial threshold, applicants should prioritise clear and consistent documentation proving the relationship and the qualifying immigration history (for example, evidence that the partner/child previously held Student or Tier 4 dependant permission, or that the child was born in the UK during the Student leave). Translations are required for non-English/Welsh documents.

3. Scholarship Consent (if applicable)

If a dependant was sponsored by a government or international scholarship agency for fees and living costs within the last 12 months, the Home Office may require a letter of consent to remain from that sponsor. Where relevant, obtain this before submission to avoid delays.

4. Common Pitfalls & Practical Tips

• Do not rely on maintenance figures from other routes; they do not apply to Graduate dependants.
• Ensure the previous Student/Tier 4 dependant permission is evidenced (eVisa share code, historical BRP, or grant letter).
• For older children, include proof they are not living an independent life (e.g., confirmation of full-time study and ongoing parental support).
• Provide certified translations for any non-English/Welsh documents.

Section Summary: There is no maintenance requirement for Graduate dependants. Focus evidence on relationship genuineness, dependency, and the prior Student/Tier 4 dependant status (or UK-born child during Student leave).

Section D: Conditions and Rights of Dependants

Dependants are granted permission in line with the Graduate visa holder. Their rights and restrictions are set by the Immigration Rules and mirror those of the main applicant in several respects, with some standard conditions applied.

1. Length of Leave

Permission is normally granted to match the Graduate’s expiry date. If both parents hold leave that expires at different times, the child’s permission may be aligned with the parent whose leave ends first, depending on the circumstances.

2. Right to Work

Graduate dependants are permitted to work in the UK without restriction, except they cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach. They may take up employment, self-employment, and freelance work.

3. Right to Study

Dependants can study without applying for a separate student visa. However, if the course is subject to the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS), the relevant ATAS clearance must be obtained before enrolment.

4. No Recourse to Public Funds

Dependants are subject to the standard “no recourse to public funds” condition, which prevents access to benefits such as Universal Credit, housing benefit, or child benefit. They must rely on personal funds, employment income, or financial support from the Graduate visa holder.

Section Summary: Graduate dependants receive permission in line with the Graduate visa holder, have wide work and study rights, but remain barred from public funds and are restricted from professional sportsperson roles.

Conclusion

The Graduate Dependant route is narrow in scope, designed to preserve family unity for those who were already recognised as Student or Tier 4 dependants, with an additional allowance for children born in the UK during the Student leave. It does not provide for new family members who did not previously hold dependant status to join the Graduate visa holder.

There is no maintenance funds requirement, but applicants must present strong evidence of their relationship and dependency, along with proof of prior dependant status where required. Each application is considered individually, and the dependant’s leave will always align with the Graduate visa holder’s permission.

Dependants benefit from broad rights to work and study, although they cannot access public funds and are prohibited from working as professional sportspersons or sports coaches. It is important to note that the Graduate route does not lead to settlement and does not count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

Summary: Graduate dependants enjoy significant work and study freedoms, but their status is entirely tied to the Graduate visa holder’s leave and is not a route to settlement.

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