Section A: What is the Skilled Worker Dependant visa?
In most circumstances, only Skilled Worker visa holders in graduate-level roles (RQF 6 and above) can usually bring dependants. However, some roles on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List may still qualify even if they are below RQF 6, but these are subject to stricter rules. In most cases, dependants will only be permitted if the worker meets specific transitional conditions, such as having held Skilled Worker leave in that occupation before the relevant cut-off date.
Care workers and most medium-skilled workers cannot bring dependants unless they were already in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa before 11 March 2024 (care workers) or 22 July 2025 (other medium-skilled roles) and are extending or changing jobs within the same occupation code.
Eligible dependants include spouses, partners and children under 18. Children aged 16 or over must show they are financially dependent, unmarried and not living independently unless in full-time education.
1. What does the Skilled Worker Visa Dependant Visa Allow?
If you are granted a Skilled Worker Dependant visa, there will be certain conditions of stay attached. As either the partner or dependent child of a Skilled Worker, your partner or parent must continue to work in their sponsored job role, as your permission to stay is directly linked to that of the primary visa holder.
Dependants are permitted to work in almost any job in the UK, including full-time or self-employment, but they cannot work as professional sportspersons or sports coaches. They are excluded from public funds under the Immigration Rules and cannot claim UK welfare benefits. Dependants may also study in the UK without restriction. For settlement purposes, long absences from the UK can affect eligibility for indefinite leave to remain, as the Home Office applies a continuous residence test that usually limits absences to 180 days in any 12-month period.
If you choose not to work, you will be able to study instead, although you will not be able to apply for most benefits. You will, however, be able to travel abroad and return to the UK, provided you do not spend more than 180 days overseas in any 12-month period, as this could affect any application for indefinite leave to remain under this route.
You may be able to switch into another route in your own right, such as Skilled Worker or a family route, if you meet the relevant rules.
2. Skilled Worker Visa Dependant Restrictions
Skilled Worker visa holders may bring dependants (partners and children) if their job meets RQF Level 6 or above, and the sponsorship started on or after 22 July 2025. Those in medium-skilled jobs (RQF 3–5) cannot bring dependants unless their original Skilled Worker visa began before 22 July 2025, and they have held continuous permission since then.
For care workers and senior care workers, the rules are stricter. For care workers (SOC 6135) and senior care workers (SOC 6136), dependants are not permitted for visa applications or switches made on or after 11 March 2024. The only exceptions apply where the main applicant was already working in one of these care occupations under the Skilled Worker route before 11 March 2024 and continues to hold valid permission in that role, or is changing jobs within the same SOC code. Limited exceptions also apply for children born in the UK, or where the applicant has sole responsibility for a child, or shared responsibility with another Skilled Worker in the same care occupation, provided the Home Office’s criteria are fully met.
Where a Skilled Worker is switching into a medium-skilled or care role from another visa category, dependants are not permitted to switch or apply to remain under the Skilled Worker Dependant route. The same restriction applies where a new Certificate of Sponsorship is issued for a medium-skilled or care occupation that does not qualify under transitional provisions. Dependants can only continue or join if the main applicant held valid Skilled Worker leave in that occupation before the relevant cut-off date and has maintained continuous permission in the same SOC code.
Transitional protection should be preserved carefully. Where the principal held Skilled Worker permission in a below-RQF 6 or care role before the cut-off dates, they may keep eligibility to have or keep dependants on extensions or certain job changes in the same SOC code. Gaps in permission or changing into a different SOC can break protection and remove dependant eligibility.
DavidsonMorris Strategic Insight
Since the July 2025 Skilled Worker changes came into effect, eligibility for the Skilled Worker route has tightened significantly, which has had a knock-on effect on dependants. Fewer people and roles now qualify under the Skilled Worker route, and for those that do, the role has to be at skill level RQF 6 or above for dependants to be allowed to join them.
Sadly, this can create uncertainty when planning a family move under the Skilled Worker route. Take early advice on your family’s situation to understand the prospects of success and how to approach all applications for maximum benefit.
Employer support can also be incredibly valuable. When the sponsor assists with dependant applications in the same way as the main applicant’s, it can reduce the scope for errors, issues or delays that could affect the wider relocation plan.
Section B: Skilled Worker Dependant visa eligibility requirements
Eligibility turns on the relationship to the principal Skilled Worker, the principal’s job being one that allows dependants under current or transitional rules, and meeting financial, suitability and documentation standards. Adult partners and children must show the relationship is genuine and ongoing. Children over 16 face additional dependency and residence tests, and cases involving children from previous relationships require evidence of parental responsibility and consent.
1. Eligible relationship
There are various eligibility criteria that must be met to be able to qualify for a Skilled Worker Dependant visa, including having the proximity of relationship with the principal applicant or primary visa-holder. This means that you must be either the spouse or civil partner of the Skilled Worker, or their unmarried partner, provided you have lived in a relationship akin to a marriage for at least 2 years at the date of application, or a dependent child under the age of 18 of the Skilled Worker.
If you are aged 16 or over and applying as the dependent child of a Skilled Worker, you must usually live with the principal applicant (the primary visa holder) unless you are in full-time education at a boarding school, college, or university. You must also be financially supported by the principal applicant, not be married or in a civil partnership, and must not have any children of your own.
2. Qualifying primary visa holder
The main applicant needs to be in a job that allows dependants under the current rules. New sponsorship at RQF 6 and above generally permits dependants. Roles below RQF 6 on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List only qualify where transitional protection applies. Care worker and senior care worker roles do not permit new dependants for applications made on or after 11 March 2024 unless the main applicant already held Skilled Worker leave in that care occupation before that date and has maintained continuous permission in the same SOC code.
3. Financial maintenance
Dependants need to show they can be maintained in the UK unless the Skilled Worker sponsor has certified maintenance for the family or each dependant has already lived lawfully in the UK for at least 12 months. Certification of maintenance by the sponsor only covers the first month after arrival and is accepted only if confirmed on the Certificate of Sponsorship. If the sponsor has not certified maintenance, applicants must show personal savings for at least 28 consecutive days, ending no more than 31 days before the application date. The financial requirement remains £285 for a partner, £315 for the first dependent child, and £200 for each additional child. The principal Skilled Worker must also meet their own £1,270 maintenance requirement separately.
If you are applying from overseas, or have not lived in the UK for 12 months, the financial requirement is as follows:
- £1,270 for the main applicant.
- £285 for the partner.
- £315 for the first dependent child.
- £200 for each additional dependent child.
For example, if the principal applicant is applying for a Skilled Worker visa alongside their partner and three dependent children, the family would need to show a total of £2,270 (£1,270 for the principal applicant + £285 for the partner + £315 for the first child + £200 for the second child + £200 for the third child).
| Applicant | Required Funds |
|---|---|
| Principal applicant (Skilled Worker) | £1,270 |
| Partner | £285 |
| First child | £315 |
| Second child | £200 |
| Third child | £200 |
| Total required | £2,270 |
The specified maintenance funds must be held for at least 28 consecutive days, with day 28 falling within 31 days of the visa application.
4. English language
There is currently no English language requirement for dependants on entry or extension under the Skilled Worker route. The government has proposed staged English requirements for adult dependants in future policy, for example basic level on entry, higher level at extension, and a further increase for settlement. These proposals are not yet in force. Applicants should check the position at the time of applying.
5. Children from previous relationships and adoption
Where a child is from a previous relationship, evidence of parental responsibility and consent is needed, such as court orders or written consent from the other parent with contact details. The Home Office expects proof that the child is not leading an independent life and is financially supported by the principal. Adopted children should provide adoption orders or equivalent legal documents, and the adoption must be recognised under UK law.
6. Who cannot switch to Skilled Worker dependant inside the UK
Some categories are not allowed to switch into Skilled Worker dependant status from within the UK. Examples include visitors, short-term students, seasonal workers, domestic workers in a private household, those on immigration bail, and those with permission outside the Rules. These applicants need to apply from overseas unless another in-country route is available.
DavidsonMorris Strategic Insight
UKVI will expect watertight evidence proving all eligibility criteria. Start early. If you need to source official documents, do so as soon as possible to avoid delaying the applications. Don’t make assumptions or leave anything to chance. Prepare thoroughly, over-evidence where appropriate and show beyond doubt that the requirements are met.
Section C: How to apply for a Skilled Worker Dependant visa
It is possible to apply for a Skilled Worker Dependant visa at the same time as your partner or parent, or once they are already living in the UK. However, even if you apply at the same time, you and any dependant children applying with you will each need to complete a separate application when applying from overseas. You will also all need to pay a fee.
Importantly, if you are already in the UK on a valid visa and your partner or parent switches to the Skilled Worker route, your visa will not automatically switch with them. This means that if you do not apply to change routes, you will no longer have permission to be in the UK once your existing visa expires. This will be valid until its original end date, where you must apply for a Skilled Worker Dependant visa prior to its expiry.
1. Skilled Worker Dependant visa application process
To apply as a dependant of a Skilled Worker, you must complete an online application on the Home Office website and pay the relevant fees. You can apply from outside the UK to accompany or join your partner or parent on the Skilled Worker route. You may also be able to switch to this route from inside the UK if you hold a different type of visa.
When you apply, you will need the main applicant’s Unique Application Number (UAN), which is provided when they submit their application. The UAN can be found on Home Office emails and letters relating to the main applicant’s case.
As part of the application process, you and any children will need to prove your identities. This may involve attending an overseas visa application centre (VAC) if applying from outside the UK, or a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre if applying from within the UK. You will usually need to present a valid passport or other accepted travel identity document.
However, depending on your nationality and the document you are using, you may be eligible to prove your identity using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check‘ app. If eligible, you can scan your passport and upload a digital photo using the app instead of attending an in-person appointment. You will be told what steps to take when you apply.
If you are required to attend an appointment, you will need to have your fingerprints and photograph taken which will be stored on your eVisa. The instructions in your application will confirm whether an appointment is required.
If applying to switch from a different visa inside the UK, and you are applying at the same time as your partner or parent, the application form will confirm whether any dependent children can be included in their form or whether you will need to apply separately. If applying from overseas, each applicant must submit a separate application under the Skilled Worker route.
If invited to use one, include the family linking code so the Home Office can match your application to the principal applicant’s case. Keep a note of the UAN and any family linking references shown on screen or in confirmation emails.
2. Skilled Worker Dependant visa supporting documents
When applying for a Skilled Worker Dependant visa, you will need a valid passport or other travel document to prove your nationality and identity. You will also need additional documentary evidence to prove each of the relevant requirements, including:
a. Evidence of your relationship with your partner or parent
You must be able to prove, for example, that either you are in a civil partnership or marriage that is recognised in the UK or you have been living together in a relationship for a minimum of 2 years when you apply. In either case, you must also be able to show that you are in a genuine and subsisting relationship. When applying as a dependent child, there will need to be evidence that you live with the Skilled Worker and are financially dependent on them;
b. Evidence of meeting the financial requirement
This will require proof of funds, where you will need to show that you have had the required amount of money available for at least 28 consecutive days, where day 28
must be within 31 days of making your application.
3. Skilled Worker Dependant visa costs
The cost of a Skilled Worker Dependant visa will depend on how long you are looking to live in the UK and whether you are making an overseas or in-country application.
| Application Type | Visa Duration | Application Fee Per Applicant |
|---|---|---|
| Outside the UK – Skilled Worker Dependant | Up to 3 years | £769 |
| Outside the UK- Skilled Worker Dependant | More than 3 years | £1,519 |
| Outside the UK – Health and Care Visa Dependant | Up to 3 years | £304 |
| Outside the UK – Health and Care Visa Dependant | More than 3 years | £590 |
| Inside the UK- Skilled Worker Dependant | Up to 3 years | £885 |
| Inside the UK- Skilled Worker Dependant | More than 3 years | £1,751 |
| Inside the UK – Health and Care Visa Dependant | Up to 3 years | £304 |
| Inside the UK – Health and Care Visa Dependant | More than 3 years | £590 |
| Outside or inside the UK- Skilled Worker Dependant Immigration Salary List Role | Up to 3 years | £590 |
| Outside or inside the UK- Skilled Worker Dependant Immigration Salary List Role | More than 3 years | £1,160 |
For example, as the dependent partner of a Skilled Worker with leave in the UK for less than 3 years, the fee will be £769 when applying from overseas, increasing to £1,519 for leave for more than 3 years.
In contrast, if you are applying to switch to this visa from inside the UK, the fee will be £885 for a visa of up to 3 years and £1,751 for a visa for more than 3 years.
If your partner or parent’s job appears on the Immigration Salary List, you will benefit from a lower application fee. The fee for each person applying in these circumstances will be just £590 if you will be staying in the UK for up to 3 years or £1,160 if you will be staying for more than 3 years. The fee for ISL-based visas is the same regardless of whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK.
There will also be the immigration healthcare surcharge payable for all applicants, to enable you to access to the UK’s National Health Service during your stay. The IHS is chargeable at a rate of £1,035 per year of leave, or £776 per year for children and students. This means that for a visa with a validity period of 3 years, the applicant will be required to pay £3,105. However, the surcharge is reduced to £776 for applicants under 18, where a 3-year visa would equate to an additional cost of £2,328.
| Applicant Group | IHS Cost per Person | Total IHS Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Main applicant + spouse | £1,035 each | £2,070 |
| Main applicant + spouse + 1 child | £1,035 (adult), £776 (child) | £2,846 |
| Main applicant + spouse + 2 children | £1,035 (adult), £776 (child) | £3,622 |
Visa fees are reviewed regularly by the Home Office, and applicants should always check the latest rates before applying.
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is £1,035 per year for adults and £776 per year for children under 18. For example, a three-year visa attracts an IHS charge of £3,105 per adult and £2,328 per child.
Health and Care visa dependants are generally exempt from paying the IHS, provided the principal applicant holds a valid Health and Care visa.
4. How long does a Skilled Worker Dependant visa processing time
If you apply as a dependant of a Skilled Worker from overseas, as with most other applications for limited leave to enter, once you have proved your identity and provided your documentation in support, a decision should usually be made within 3 weeks. If you make an application from inside the UK, the processing time is typically up to 8 weeks.
However, you may be able to apply to get a faster decision using one of the priority services. You will be told if you can pay for a faster decision when you apply, although this does not necessarily guarantee a quicker decision if your application is not straightforward.
5. Can you travel while your application is pending?
If you are required to attend an overseas VAC to prove your identity, they may need to keep your passport and supporting documents while they process your application. This means that you will not be able to travel while you wait for a decision. Equally, if you make an application from inside the UK to switch to the Skilled worker route from a different visa, you must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision, otherwise risk your application being withdrawn.
DavidsonMorris Strategic Insight
While dependant visas are directly linked to the primary visa, each applicant has to make a separate application. Each application will be assessed on its own merits, requiring the same level of care and preparation as the main application.
Remember also to factor in the total cost of the process, including the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, as applications will not be processed until these are paid in full.
Section D: Skilled Worker Dependant Visa Rules, Extensions & ILR
Conditions are set on the dependant’s grant of permission. Work is unrestricted apart from professional sports, study is allowed and access to public funds is not permitted. Keep your UKVI account details up to date, including address and passport information linked to your eVisa, and report material changes when required.
1. Skilled Worker Dependant Visa Extension
If your application for a Skilled Worker Dependant visa is successful, your visa will end on the same date as that of the principal applicant or primary visa-holder. This is because your grant of leave is conditional upon their permission to be in the UK. However, when your visa expires, provided your partner or parent is applying to extend their stay, you can also apply for an extension of your visa. This includes children who have turned 18 in the UK.
Your partner or parent can apply to extend their Skilled Worker visa as many times as they like, provided they continue to meet the relevant requirements under this route. However, you must also apply to extend, as your visa will not automatically extend in line with theirs.
If the main applicant changes employer or role, check whether your dependant eligibility was based on transitional protection. Changing into a different SOC code or breaking continuous permission can remove that protection and affect your ability to extend.
2. Skilled Worker Dependant to ILR
If you and your partner or parent are granted a further period of leave, once you have accrued a continuous period of residence in the UK of 5 years, you may be eligible to apply to settle in the UK on a permanent basis, which is known as indefinite leave to remain (ILR). ILR status will allow you and your family to live in the UK for as long as you want. After a further period of one year, you may also be able to apply for British citizenship.
For ILR, dependants need five years of continuous lawful residence as a dependant and to meet absence limits and suitability checks. The principal usually settles at the same time or has already settled. Knowledge of language and life requirements apply to adults unless exempt. Long absences may be disregarded in limited circumstances but should be evidenced clearly.
DavidsonMorris Strategic Insight
As we’ve said, dependant visas are linked to the main visa, but this does not mean automatic extension or protection when the main visa ends. Dependants have to make sure their own visa remains valid. If the main visa holder changes employer or loses their job or if the relationship breaks down, the dependant may need to take action quickly to secure their status.
That said, visa extensions and settlement applications should be planned and coordinated as part of a family strategy. Although each application is made individually, timing is important and all changes in circumstance (for both the main visa holder and dependants) need to be managed carefully. Employers can also add real value by supporting their Skilled Workers and their families with proactive visa planning.
Section E: Summary
Dependants of Skilled Workers can qualify where the principal’s role allows family accompaniment under current or transitional rules. Care roles are tightly restricted for new applications. Financial maintenance needs careful evidence unless certified by the sponsor for the first month or the dependant has 12 months’ UK residence. Work is open apart from professional sports, study is allowed and public funds are not. Extensions track the principal’s permission, and ILR is usually available after five years if residence and absence rules are met.
Section F: Need assistance?
DavidsonMorris are specialists in UK business immigration, with substantial experience and recognised expertise in advising employers and workers on UK employment sponsorship, sponsor licence applications and management, and Skilled Worker and Skilled Worker Dependant visa applications. For expert immigration advice, contact us.
Section G: Skilled worker dependant visa FAQs
What is a Skilled Worker Dependant Visa?
A Skilled Worker Dependant Visa allows family members of a Skilled Worker visa holder to join them in the UK. Eligible dependants include partners, spouses, and children under 18.
Who can apply as a dependant?
Eligible dependants include a spouse or partner, children under 18, and children over 16 if they are financially dependent, unmarried, and living with the primary visa holder unless in full-time education.
How long does the dependant visa last?
The duration of the visa matches the Skilled Worker visa holder’s permission to stay in the UK. If the primary visa holder’s status changes, the dependant visa may also be affected.
Can dependants work in the UK?
Skilled Worker dependants can work in most roles, but they are not permitted to work as professional sportspersons or coaches.
What are the financial requirements?
Applicants must show they have sufficient funds to support themselves unless the Skilled Worker’s sponsor certifies maintenance. This includes £285 for a partner, £315 for the first child, and £200 for each additional child.
Do dependants need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge?
Dependants must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, currently set at £1,035 per year of leave per adult applicant and £776 per year for children or students.
Can dependants study in the UK?
Skilled Worker dependants can study in the UK, including accessing public education for children.
What happens if the Skilled Worker visa holder loses their status?
If the main Skilled Worker visa holder’s status is revoked or expires, dependant visas may also be affected, and the family may need to leave the UK.
Can dependants apply for settlement in the UK?
Dependants can apply for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) if they meet the qualifying criteria, including continuous residence and the Skilled Worker visa holder obtaining settlement.
Section H: Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker Visa | A UK visa that allows eligible overseas workers to come to or stay in the UK to work for a Home Office-approved sponsor in an eligible role. |
| Dependant | A family member of a Skilled Worker visa holder who is eligible to join or remain with them in the UK, such as a partner or child. |
| Partner | A spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner who has been living in a relationship with the main visa holder for at least two years. |
| Child Dependant | A child under 18, or over 18 if already in the UK as a dependant, who is financially supported by the main visa holder. |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | A fee paid as part of a visa application that allows access to the National Health Service (NHS) during the applicant’s stay in the UK. |
| Sponsor Licence | A permission issued by the Home Office that allows UK employers to sponsor skilled workers from outside the UK. |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) | An electronic record issued by a licensed sponsor which a Skilled Worker needs to apply for their visa. |
| Inside the UK Application | An application submitted while the applicant is already in the UK, for example, to switch visa category or extend leave. |
| Outside the UK Application | An application submitted from abroad before entering the UK. |
| Visa Duration | The length of time the visa is granted for, typically matching the sponsored job offer duration, up to a maximum of 5 years at a time. |
Section I: Additional Links & Resources
| Resource | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| GOV.UK – Skilled Worker: partner and children | Official guidance on who can apply as a dependant, documents, work rights, and restrictions. | https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-partner-and-children |
| GOV.UK – Dependent family members in work routes | Home Office guidance for caseworkers on dependants in work routes, including care roles and exceptions. | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dependent-family-members-in-work-routes-immigration-staff-guidance |
| GOV.UK – Skilled Worker visa overview | Eligibility, sponsorship, salary thresholds, occupation codes, and application procedure. | https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa |
| UK Visa Fees | Current Home Office application fees for entry clearance and in-country applications. | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table/home-office-immigration-and-nationality-fees |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | Official IHS rates, who needs to pay, and exemptions including Health and Care dependants. | https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application |
| Appendix Skilled Occupations | Eligible occupation codes and skill levels used for Skilled Worker sponsorship. | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-skilled-occupations |
| Immigration Salary List | List of roles with adjusted salary thresholds that may impact dependant eligibility under transitional rules. | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-salary-list |
| Temporary Shortage List | Occupations with temporary shortage designation and related policy notes. | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/temporary-shortage-occupation-list |
| UK Immigration: ID Check app | How to verify identity using the smartphone app instead of attending a biometric appointment. | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-uk-immigration-id-check-app |
| eVisa account guidance | Managing your UKVI account and updating passport or personal details for digital status. | https://www.gov.uk/update-uk-visas-immigration-account-details |
| DavidsonMorris – Skilled Worker visa | Practical employer and applicant guidance on Skilled Worker sponsorship and dependants. | https://www.davidsonmorris.com/skilled-worker-visa/ |
