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Are you considering relocating to the UK with your family under the Skilled Worker visa program?
Are you currently in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa and wish to bring your family to join and settle with you in the UK?
Whether you’re a skilled worker, their partner, or dependent child, it’s essential to understand the requirements and the application process for a Skilled Worker Dependent Visa UK.
Learn more about the visa, including the requirements, fees and other frequently asked questions on this page.
The UK Skilled Worker Dependent Visa enables family members of Skilled Workers to join them in the UK, with the primary eligibility requirements of being in a genuine relationship and the ability to financially support yourself/ves while you are in the UK.
Understanding the UK Skilled Worker Dependent Visa
The Skilled Worker Dependent Visa enables dependent family members of Skilled Worker Visa holders to accompany, join or remain with them in the UK. Dependents include children and the following types of partners below:
- spouses
- civil partners
- unmarried partners
The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has designed the Skilled Worker Dependent Visa to allow families to remain together while the main Skilled Worker visa holder works in the UK.
Dependents are also permitted to work and study in the UK with certain restrictions. Children are permitted to attend state or private schools. After having a required period of continuous leave on the visa, dependents are eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
Skilled Worker Dependants - Eligible Family Members
Who qualifies as a dependent partner?
A dependent partner can be a spouse, civil partner, or an unmarried partner. Applicants hoping to qualify as a dependent partner must have established a genuine relationship with the main Skilled Worker visa holder and express their intention to live with them in the UK. This means providing evidence of the relationship, such as marriage certificates or proof of cohabitation. Marriages and Civil partnerships must be officially registered in the country it tool place for it to be legally recognised in the UK.
Unmarried partners need to provide relevant documentation to demonstrate their cohabitation (a minimum period of 2 years immediately prior to submitting the application). This may include shared utility bills, joint bank account statements, or other official documents showing a shared life and financial responsibilities.
Who qualifies as a dependent child?
A dependent child is someone under the age of 18 who is not financially independent and is still living with the primary Skilled Worker visa applicant or their partner. Child dependants must be under the age of 18 at the date of their first application. If the dependant child is aged 18 or over at the time that they are eligible for an extension of their visa, this will not impact their application or chances of being granted further leave to remain as a dependant.
The dependant child’s other parent must already have permission to be in the UK or must be applying at the same time as the dependant child. The only exceptions to this
are if the Skilled Worker is the surviving parent, the Skilled Worker has sole responsibility for the child, the child’s other parent is a British national or has settlement and is a UK resident, or there are serious and compelling reasons for granting the child permission to be in the UK as a dependant child of a Skilled Worker.
You must also demonstrate that the child will have suitable care and accommodation arrangements in the UK that meet the relevant UK legislation and regulations.
Applicants must also provide evidence that the child is dependent on the Skilled Worker visa holder or their partner and will reside with them full-time in the UK unless they are away for educational purposes. This can include bank statements, official letters, or other documents showing financial support and dependency.
Eligibility Requirements for Skilled Worker Dependent Visa
Several fundamental eligibility requirements must be met by applicants and their family members when applying for a Skilled Worker Dependent Visa. These include:
- Proving the Skilled Worker visa holder and dependant have a a genuine relationship
- Demonstrating financial support
- Meeting age restrictions (in the case of dependent children)
Applicants must show that they have sufficient funds to sustain themselves in the UK without relying on public funds.
Dependants must have a certain amount of money available to support themselves while they’re in the UK.
Spouse/Partners or children will need:
- £285 for spouses/partners
- £315 for one children
- £200 for each additional child
What are you permitted to do as a Skilled Worker Dependant?
Depedants can:
- work (with some exceptions - see further below)
- study
- travel abroad and return to the UK
- apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) if they’ve lived in the UK for 5 years and meet the other eligibility requirements
What are you not allowed to do on a Skilled Worker Dependant Visa?
- You cannot work as a sportsperson or coach
- You cannot apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension
- If you are a child, you cannot live an independent life i.e. leave home and have a family of your own
Applying for the Visa Inside or Outside the UK
It’s possible to apply for a skilled worker dependant visa from either outside or inside* the UK (*subject to other conditions).
Applying from Outside the UK
When applying for a Skilled Worker Dependent Visa from outside the UK, applicants need to complete an online application and provide their biometrics at their local visa application centre.
They will also need the application number of the skilled worker, which is generated once the Skilled worker submits their own visa application. The number they will need will either be a Global Web Form (GWF), if applying from abroad, or the Unique Application Number (UAN), if applying/switching from within the UK.
If the visa is granted, a stamp (vignette) is placed in the dependant's passport permitting them entry clearance to the UK. Applicants must then collect their biometric residence permit (BRP) within 30 days of arrival in the UK.
Applying Inside the UK
If you are already in the UK on a different visa (not a visitor/tourist visa or other short-term visa that is usually only valid for up to 6 months), you can apply for a Skilled Worker Dependent Visa and switch from your current visa without leaving the country.
As with any visa extension or switch, the application must be made before your current visa expires. Failing to do so will usually result in having to leave the UK and make the application from outside the country, causing unnecessary disruptions to your plans and family life.
What is the Application Fee for a Skilled Worker Dependant Visa?
Below are the current Application Fees for the UK Skilled Worker Dependant Visa. Please note that these fees are subject to change; you can find the up-to-date visa application fees by visiting official gov.uk website.
Visa Fees for Applying Outside the UK
| Visa Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker has a certificate of sponsorship issued for 3 years or less | £719 |
| Skilled Worker has a certificate of sponsorship issued for over 3 years | £1,420 |
| Skilled Worker has a Shortgage occupation and certificate of sponsorship issued for 3 years or less | £551 |
| Skilled Worker has a Shortgage occupation and certificate of sponsorship issued for over 3 years | £1,084 |
Visa Fees Applying Inside the UK (Extensions/Switching from another Visa category)
| Visa Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker has a certificate of sponsorship issued for 3 years or less | £827 |
| Skilled Worker has a certificate of sponsorship issued for over 3 years | £1,500 |
| Skilled Worker has a Shortgage occupation and certificate of sponsorship issued for 3 years or less | £551 |
| Skilled Worker has a Shortgage occupation and certificate of sponsorship issued for over 3 years | £1,084 |
Processing Time for Skilled Worker Dependent Visa Applications
The processing time for Skilled Worker Dependent Visa applications can vary depending on whether you are applying from outside or inside the UK.
For applications made outside the UK, the processing time is typically around three weeks. However, this time may vary depending on the complexity of your case or other security checks being completed by the Home Office.
For applications made within the UK, the processing time is generally up to eight weeks.
To expedite the process, UK Visas and Immigration offer a priority service and a super-priority service, which may be available during the application process for an additional fee of £500 to get a decision within 5 working days for applications outside the UK. The super priority service costs £1,000 to get a decision within 1 to 2 working days for and application being made inside the UK.
Extending Your Skilled Worker Dependant Visa
Dependant partner or child visas will not automatically extend when the Skilled Worker extends their visa. Dependant partners and/or children can either apply at the same time as the Skilled Worker, or at any time before their current visa expires.
If a dependant does not extend their visa, it will only be valid until its original date.
If the Skilled Worker changes job or employer
If the Skilled Worker changes their job or employer, they must update their Skilled Worker visa. Dependant partners and/or children will also need to apply separately to update their visa. They can either apply at the same time as the Skilled Worker, or at any time before their current visa expires.
Pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for Skilled Worker Dependents
Dependents of Skilled Workers can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after residing in the UK for at least five years and meeting the standard criteria for UK citizenship, including English language proficiency and passing the Life in the UK test. The Skilled Worker visa holder may acquire ILR before their dependents if they have been in the UK for a more extended period.
Applying for ILR allows dependents to settle in the UK permanently without any restrictions on their stay or activities, leading to an independent life. This can provide a sense of stability and security for Skilled Worker dependents and their families, especially if they plan to make the UK their long-term home.
How do I Apply for a Skilled Worker Dependant Visa?
The earliest you can make an application is 3 months before you will travel to the UK
Application Steps:
- Be sure you satisfy the eligibility requirements and can evidence that you satisfy them
- Complete and submit the application form online (note: If you are coming to the UK with family members, each member will need to submit their own application and pay the required fee)
- Make the application fee payment
- Book an appointment at your local Visa Application Centre (VAC)
- Attend your VAC appointment to provide your biometrics (your photo and fingerprints)
The average processing time to receive a decision on your Visa application is 3 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can a dependent on a Skilled Worker visa work in UK?
A. Skilled Worker dependents are able to work while in the UK, and also have access to the National Health Service. However, they are not able to access public funds such as welfare benefits.
Q. Can I bring my spouse to UK on Skilled Worker visa?
A. Yes, you can bring your spouse to the UK on a Skilled Worker visa if they are eligible. As a dependant of yours, your partner must complete a separate application, with their visa ending on the same date as yours.
Q. How long does it take for a skilled worker dependant visa to process?
A. You’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks. You also have the option to expedite your application by paying an additional fee (Priority Service which currently costs £500 for applications outside the UK). If you opt for this, you will get a decision within 5 working days.
Q. How long is the visa valid for?
A. The visa can be granted for up to 5 years*. You will need to apply to extend or update your visa when it expires or if the Skilled Worker visa holder changes jobs or employer. *After 5 years, you may be able to apply for ‘indefinite leave to remain’.
Q. How much is a Skilled Worker Dependant visa?
A. The UKVI fee depends on the length of the visa you are applying for and the type of job the Skilled Worker has, as set out below:
Visa Fees for Applying Outside the UK
| Visa Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker has a certificate of sponsorship issued for 3 years or less | £719 |
| Skilled Worker has a certificate of sponsorship issued for over 3 years | £1,420 |
| Skilled Worker has a Shortgage occupation and certificate of sponsorship issued for 3 years or less | £551 |
| Skilled Worker has a Shortgage occupation and certificate of sponsorship issued for over 3 years | £1,084 |
Visa Fees Applying Inside the UK (Extensions/Switching from another Visa category)
| Visa Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker has a certificate of sponsorship issued for 3 years or less | £827 |
| Skilled Worker has a certificate of sponsorship issued for over 3 years | £1,500 |
| Skilled Worker has a Shortgage occupation and certificate of sponsorship issued for 3 years or less | £551 |
| Skilled Worker has a Shortgage occupation and certificate of sponsorship issued for over 3 years | £1,084 |
Q. How do I apply for a Skilled Worker dependant visa and when will I get a decision?
A. You must apply online and attend an appointment at a visa application centre in your country of residence or in the UK.
Once you have submitted your application, attended your appointment at the visa centre and provided your supporting documents, you will usually receive a decision within 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK or 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK. You will be sent an email or letter with the decision and details of what you need to do next.
Q. What if I need to change or cancel my application?
A. You will need to contact UKVI or sign into your application and cancel it online.
You will only receive a refund if your application has not yet been processed.
Q. What can I do if my Standard Visitor visa application is refused?
A. Appeals are not available for Skilled Worker Dependant visa refusals unless it is made on human rights grounds.
You can request an administrative review within 28 days of getting the decision. The cost for this is £80. However in most cases, the simplest way to deal with a refusal is to re-apply.
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