Navigating the UK immigration system can feel like learning a new language. For Indian professionals and students planning to relocate, ensuring that their family can join them is often the top priority. However, with the Home Office frequently updating its rules, fees, and eligibility criteria, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by conflicting information online.
As experienced immigration consultants based in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore, we receive hundreds of queries every month from families trying to understand the process. To help you plan your relocation with confidence, we have compiled this comprehensive, 2026-updated FAQ guide.
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the UK Dependant Visa, answered by our experts.
1. What is a UK Dependant Visa?
A UK Dependant Visa allows the immediate family members of a primary UK visa holder (the "sponsor") to live, work, and study in the United Kingdom. It is designed for the families of temporary migrants, such as those on a Skilled Worker Visa, Global Talent Visa, or qualifying Student Visa. The dependant's visa is tied to the main applicant's visa, meaning their permission to stay expires on the same date.
2. Who exactly qualifies as a "dependant"?
Under UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) rules, only the following family members can apply as dependants:
• A legally married spouse or civil partner.
• An unmarried partner (provided you can prove you have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least two years).
• Children under the age of 18 (including legally adopted children).
• Children over 18, only if they are already living in the UK as your dependant and are applying for an extension.
3. Can I bring my parents or siblings to the UK as dependants?
No. Standard dependant visas do not cover extended family members, parents, or siblings. There is a separate category called the "Adult Dependant Relative" visa for parents who require long-term personal care, but the threshold for approval is exceptionally high and rarely granted.
4. Can Care Workers or Students bring their families in 2026?
Due to recent policy tightening, there are strict restrictions:
• Care Workers: As of March 2024, individuals applying under the Health and Care Worker visa as Care Workers or Senior Care Workers cannot bring dependants.
• Students: International students can only bring dependants if they are enrolled in a PhD, a doctorate (RQF level 8), or a research-based higher degree. Standard undergraduate and Master's students are no longer eligible to bring family.
5. What are the financial maintenance requirements?
You must prove you can support your family without relying on UK public funds. For a Skilled Worker dependant, you must show:
• £285 for your partner.
• £315 for your first child.
• £200 for each additional child.
Exception: If the UK employer is an "A-rated" sponsor, they can certify this maintenance on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), meaning you do not need to show personal bank statements.
6. What is the "28-Day Rule" for bank statements?
If you are relying on your personal savings to meet the financial requirement, the exact required amount must sit in your bank account for 28 consecutive days. The balance cannot drop below the threshold for even a single day, and the bank statement must be dated within 31 days of submitting your online application. Failure to meet this rule results in automatic refusal.
7. How much does the visa cost from India in 2026?
You must pay two upfront fees in Indian Rupees (INR):
• Visa Application Fee: Following the April 2026 updates, the fee for a Student Dependant is £558. For a Skilled Worker Dependant, it ranges from roughly £719 (up to 3 years) to £1,420 (more than 3 years).
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): This mandatory healthcare fee is £1,035 per year for adults and £776 per year for children under 18. It must be paid upfront for the entire duration of the visa.
8. Do I need to take an English language test (IELTS)?
No. Unlike the UK Spouse Visa (which is for partners of British citizens), applicants for a standard PBS Dependant Visa (like a Skilled Worker or Student dependant) are not required to prove their English language proficiency for their initial entry clearance visa.
9. Is a Tuberculosis (TB) test mandatory?
Yes. Any Indian resident applying to stay in the UK for more than 6 months must undergo a TB X-ray. Crucially, this test must be conducted at a specific UKVI-approved clinic in India. Certificates from your local family doctor or unapproved hospitals will be rejected.
10. How do I prove my relationship is "genuine and subsisting"?
A marriage certificate alone is not always enough, as the Home Office is vigilant against sham marriages. You should provide a portfolio of evidence including:
• Wedding photographs and photos from family holidays.
• Joint bank account statements or utility bills in both names.
• Flight tickets showing you have traveled together.
• WhatsApp chat logs or call records covering the span of your relationship.
11. Can a dependant work or study in the UK?
Yes, dependants enjoy significant freedoms in the UK. Adult dependants can work full-time or part-time, be self-employed, or start a business. The only major restrictions are that they cannot work as professional sportspersons or sports coaches, and there are strict limitations on working as a doctor or dentist in training. Child dependants have the right to attend free UK state schools.
12. How long is the processing time from India?
The standard processing time is typically 3 weeks from the date you attend your biometric appointment at a VFS Global centre (located in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore). If you require a faster decision, you can pay an additional fee for Priority Service (5 working days) or Super Priority Service (by the end of the next working day).
13. Does this visa lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?
Yes. Dependants on the Skilled Worker or Global Talent routes can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement) after living in the UK continuously for 5 years, provided they meet the residency and absence criteria.
Need Professional Assistance?
Visa applications are expensive, and the Home Office leaves no room for errors. A simple mistake on your bank statements or document translations can lead to a refusal and severely delay your family's relocation plans.
At The SmartMove2UK, our team of specialized immigration consultants in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore provides end-to-end assistance for Indian families. From auditing your financial documents to submitting your final application, we ensure your paperwork is flawless.
Contact us today to book a consultation and secure your family's seamless transition to the UK.
