In 60 seconds
Core requirement: A complete UK dependent visa documents checklist covers identity, relationship, financial, and accommodation evidence for each dependant.
Sponsor rule: Your sponsor (the main visa holder) must hold a valid visa that permits dependants, such as Skilled Worker or Student.
Financial test: You must show the sponsor meets the minimum income or funds threshold, with specified evidence types.
Language rule: Partners usually need to pass an English language requirement at CEFR A1 or higher, with an approved test report.
Next step: Build your file using the sections below, then submit online through GOV.UK and book a biometrics appointment.
You need a UK dependent visa documents checklist that names every form, evidence item, and translation you must submit before your application is considered complete. This guide gives you the exact paper trail for partners and children of Skilled Worker, Student, and Graduate visa holders, with official GOV.UK sources you can verify.
- Core requirement: A complete UK dependent visa documents checklist covers identity, relationship, financial, and accommodation evidence for each dependant.
- Sponsor rule: Your sponsor (the main visa holder) must hold a valid visa that permits dependants, such as Skilled Worker or Student.
- Financial test: You must show the sponsor meets the minimum income or funds threshold, with specified evidence types.
- Language rule: Partners usually need to pass an English language requirement at CEFR A1 or higher, with an approved test report.
- Next step: Build your file using the sections below, then submit online through GOV.UK and book a biometrics appointment.
Table of contents
- Who qualifies as a dependant
- Core documents checklist for every applicant
- Relationship evidence for partners and children
- Financial and accommodation evidence
- English language and tuberculosis test documents
- How to apply: step-by-step process
- Timeline, fees, and common refusal reasons
- Worked example: a partner joining a Skilled Worker
- FAQ
- Sources
- Worked Example
Who qualifies as a dependant
A dependant is a close family member who applies to join or stay with a main visa holder (the "sponsor") in the UK. The sponsor's visa route decides who counts as a dependant and what evidence you must supply.
Partner or spouse: You can apply as a partner if you are married or in a civil partnership, or if you have lived together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least two years. Unmarried partners must show cohabitation evidence.
Children under 18: Children qualify when they are not married, not in a civil partnership, and live with the sponsor. Children born in the UK to a dependant parent also qualify.
Children over 18: Adult dependants qualify only in limited routes, such as where a Skilled Worker visa was granted before a specific cutoff and the child is already on the route. Check the route-specific rules on GOV.UK.
Note: The sponsor's visa must explicitly allow dependants. A Standard Visitor visa does not permit dependants to join you. A Student visa allows dependants only if the course is postgraduate, or the sponsor is a government-sponsored student on a course longer than six months.
For a full overview of the family visa framework, see the Free Immigration Templates & Checklists hub for downloadable evidence templates.
Core documents checklist for every applicant
Every dependant, adult or child, must submit a baseline set of documents. This is the foundation of your UK dependent visa documents checklist.
Valid passport or travel document: Each dependant needs a passport with at least one blank page. The passport must be valid for the duration of the stay you are applying for.
Two passport-style photographs: Photos must meet UKVI规格 and be taken within the last month. Write the dependant's name and date of birth on the back.
Proof of the sponsor's status: A copy of the sponsor's biometric residence permit (BRP), eVisa share code, or visa decision letter. This proves the sponsor holds a valid visa that allows dependants.
Proof of relationship to the sponsor: Marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate, or birth certificate for children. See the next section for full evidence rules.
Proof of address in the UK and abroad: Tenancy agreement, mortgage statement, or letter from the sponsor's employer. For dependants applying from overseas, include proof of the address they currently live at.
Immigration history: Details of any previous UK visa applications, refusals, or overstays for each dependant. Disclose all prior immigration contact.
Full core documents list (click to expand)
- Current passport (all stamped pages)
- Two recent passport photographs
- Sponsor's BRP, eVisa share code, or decision letter
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate (partners)
- Birth certificate (children)
- Adoption order (where applicable)
- Proof of address in the UK (tenancy, mortgage, utility bill)
- Proof of address overseas (utility bill, bank statement)
- Previous visa refusal letters (if any)
- Police registration certificate (if previously required)
- Tuberculosis test result (for applicants from listed countries)
Relationship evidence for partners and children
Relationship evidence is the area where most refusals happen. The Home Office wants to see a credible, documented history, not just a single certificate.
For partners
Marriage or civil partnership certificate: The official certificate from the country where the marriage took place. If it is not in English, you must provide a certified translation.
Cohabitation evidence (unmarried partners): At least two of the following, covering the full two-year period:
- Joint bank statements showing shared finances
- Joint tenancy agreement or mortgage
- Utility bills in both names
- Letters from official bodies addressed to both of you at the same address
- Travel documents showing trips taken together
- Photographs with timestamps and captions
Evidence you intend to live together in the UK: A tenancy agreement in both names, a letter from the sponsor's employer confirming relocation, or a property purchase agreement.
For children
Birth certificate: The full birth certificate showing both parents' names. If only one parent is the sponsor, include evidence of sole parental responsibility or the other parent's consent.
Adoption or court order: Where the child is adopted, include the adoption order. Where custody is shared, include a court order or written consent from the other parent.
Proof the child lives with the sponsor: School records, doctor registration, or a letter from the child's school confirming the sponsor's address.
Note: UKVI may request an interview to verify the relationship. Keep originals of every document you submit, and bring them to the biometrics appointment.
Financial and accommodation evidence
The sponsor must show they can support dependants without recourse to public funds. The exact threshold depends on the route.
Skilled Worker dependants
The sponsor's salary must meet the going rate for the job, and the visa must have been issued for at least six months when the dependant applies from overseas. The dependant does not need to meet a separate financial threshold, but the sponsor must show they can accommodate dependants.
Evidence of income: Payslips covering the last six months, a letter from the sponsor's employer confirming salary and start date, and the sponsor's P60 or SA302 if self-employed.
Accommodation evidence: A tenancy agreement, mortgage statement, or letter from the sponsor's employer confirming company housing. The accommodation must be adequate and not overcrowded.
Student visa dependants
The sponsor must show they have held money for at least 28 consecutive days, ending within 31 days of the application date. The amount depends on where the course is and whether the student is in London.
Funds evidence: Bank statements showing the required balance, a letter from a financial sponsor, or an official financial sponsorship letter from the university.
Accommodation evidence: University halls of residence confirmation, a private tenancy, or a letter from the host confirming where the dependant will live.
| Route | Financial evidence | Accommodation evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | Sponsor's payslips, employer letter, P60 | Tenancy, mortgage, or employer housing letter |
| Student | Bank statements (28 days), sponsor letter | University halls or private tenancy |
| Graduate | None (route allows dependants without separate funds test) | Tenancy or housing letter |
English language and tuberculosis test documents
English language requirement
Partners aged 18 or over must prove they can speak and understand English to at least CEFR A1 level. Children and dependants over 65 are exempt.
Approved test: You must pass an approved English language test with a SELT provider.
The test report must show the dependant's name, date of test, and CEFR level. The Home Office accepts tests from providers listed on GOV.UK.
Exemptions: You are exempt if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country, hold a degree taught in English, or have already proven English on a previous UK visa.
Tuberculosis test
Applicants from listed countries must take a tuberculosis (TB) test at an approved clinic. The test result is valid for six months.
TB test certificate: A signed certificate from an approved clinic confirming you do not have active TB. The certificate must include your photograph and passport details.
Country list: Check the GOV.UK guidance for the current list of countries where a TB test is required. The list is updated periodically.
How to apply: step-by-step process
The application is online, but the document preparation happens first. Follow this sequence to avoid common mistakes.
- Confirm the sponsor's route allows dependants. Check the sponsor's visa conditions on GOV.UK before you start.
- Gather every document on the checklist. Use the sections above to build a complete file for each dependant.
- Translate non-English documents. Use a certified translator and include the translator's credentials with each translation.
- Complete the online application form on GOV.UK. Each dependant needs a separate application. Pay the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
- Book a biometrics appointment. Attend a visa application centre to enrol fingerprints and a photograph.
- Submit your documents. Upload scans during the online application, then bring originals to the biometrics appointment if requested.
- Wait for a decision. Standard processing takes up to 12 weeks from outside the UK, or 8 weeks from inside the UK. Priority services are available for an extra fee.
- Collect your BRP or use the eVisa. Once approved, collect your BRP from a UK Post Office or use the eVisa system to prove your immigration status.
Note: Keep copies of every document you submit. UKVI may ask for originals, and you will need them for future applications or appeals.
Timeline, fees, and common refusal reasons
Processing times
Processing times vary by route and where you apply. The figures below are the standard published times on GOV.UK.
Outside the UK: Up to 12 weeks for most routes. Those can reduce this to 5 working days for an additional fee.
Inside the UK: Up to 8 weeks for most routes. They can reduce this to 5 working days.
Visa fees
The visa fee depends on the route and the length of stay. Check the current fee on GOV.UK before you apply, as fees change each year.
Skilled Worker dependant fee: Published on the Skilled Worker visa page on GOV.UK.
Student dependant fee: Published on the Student visa page on GOV.UK.
Immigration Health Surcharge: An additional charge per year of stay, paid at the same time as the visa fee.
Common refusal reasons
Refusals happen most often when documents are missing, inconsistent, or do not meet the route's rules.
Insufficient financial evidence: Bank statements do not cover the required 28-day period, or the balance drops below the threshold during that period.
Relationship not proven: Cohabitation evidence does not cover the full two-year period, or the documents are not in the dependant's name.
Sponsor's visa does not allow dependants: The sponsor holds a visa route that does not permit dependants, such as a Standard Visitor or short-term Student visa.
English language requirement not met: The test is not from an approved provider, or the test report is older than two years.
TB test missing or expired: The dependant is from a listed country but did not submit a valid TB certificate.
Incorrect translation: A non-English document is submitted without a certified translation, or the translation does not include the translator's credentials.
Worked example: a partner joining a Skilled Worker
Example: Priya holds a Skilled Worker visa as a software engineer in Manchester. Her husband, Arjun, applies from India to join her as her dependant.
Step 1: Confirm eligibility. Priya checks the Skilled Worker visa page on GOV.UK and confirms her visa allows dependants. Her salary meets the going rate for her role.
Step 2: Gather documents. Arjun collects his passport, two photographs, their marriage certificate, and a certified English translation. Priya provides her BRP, six months of payslips, an employer letter confirming her salary and start date, and their joint tenancy agreement in Manchester.
Step 3: English language test. Arjun books a SELT test with an approved provider and passes at CEFR A1. He keeps the test report.
Step 4: TB test. India is on the TB test list. Arjun attends an approved clinic and receives a TB-free certificate valid for six months.
Step 5: Online application. Arjun completes the online form on GOV.UK, uploads scans of every document, and pays the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.
Step 6: Biometrics. Arjun attends the visa application centre in Mumbai, enrols his fingerprints, and submits his passport.
Step 7: Decision. After 8 weeks, Arjun receives approval. He travels to the UK and collects his BRP from a Post Office.
Result: Arjun joins Priya in Manchester with the right to work and access the NHS. He can apply to extend his visa when Priya's visa is renewed.
FAQ
What is the UK dependent visa documents checklist?
The UK dependent visa documents checklist is the full set of forms, certificates, and evidence you must submit for each dependant when applying to join a main visa holder in the UK. It covers identity, relationship, financial, accommodation, English language, and TB test evidence, depending on the route.
Do you need a UK dependent visa documents checklist for a Student visa?
Yes. If the Student visa holder is on a postgraduate course, or is government-sponsored on a course longer than six months, dependants can apply.
The checklist includes the sponsor's CAS, bank statements showing maintenance funds for 28 days, and proof of accommodation.
How long does the application take?
Standard processing is up to 12 weeks from outside the UK and up to 8 weeks from inside the UK. These can reduce the wait to 5 working days for an extra fee.
Can dependants work in the UK?
Skilled Worker dependants can work without restriction.
Student dependants can work in most roles, with some limits on hours and prohibited types of work. Check the route-specific rules on GOV.UK.
What happens if the application is refused?
You can request an administrative review if you believe the decision was wrong, or reapply with stronger evidence. There is no right of appeal for most dependant visa refusals, so a fresh application with corrected documents is often the fastest path.
Do children need to meet the English language requirement?
No. Children under 18 are exempt from the English language requirement. They still need a valid passport, birth certificate, and proof of relationship to the sponsor.
Sources
- GOV.UK, Family visas: https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa
- GOV.UK, Student visa: https://www.gov.uk/student-visa
- GOV.UK, Graduate visa: https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa
- GOV.UK, Skilled Worker visa: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
- GOV.UK, Visas and immigration: https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration
- GOV.UK, Standard Visitor: https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor
- GOV.UK, Immigration Rules: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules
- UKCISA, International student advice: https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/
Educational disclaimer: This page is for general information only and is not legal advice. Immigration rules change frequently, and your circumstances may affect which documents and routes apply to you. A qualified immigration adviser can review your specific situation before you apply.
Worked Example
Scenario: Maria, an applicant, needs to understand the requirements. She gathers all required documents, checks the official processing times, and submits her application with complete evidence.
Result: By following the steps above, Maria avoids common delays and receives a timely decision. For example, having her documents translated and notarized ahead of time saved her several weeks of back-and-forth.
Related guides
- UK Immigration Hub, CaseWorks Guides
- YouSafe Consultancy, Immigration Services
Related guides
- UK Immigration Hub, CaseWorks Guides
- YouSafe Consultancy, Immigration Services
Related guides
This guide is general information, not legal advice for your specific situation. A licensed attorney or regulated adviser should review your documents before you rely on a strategy or deadline.
Official sources
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