Skilled Worker Dependent Visa UK

UK Skilled Worker visa holders can bring their family members (spouse, partner, and children) to the UK through the Skilled Worker Dependent visa.

If eligible, your partner and children can apply to join you or stay in the UK as dependants, requiring separate applications. If their application is successful, their visa will typically expire on the same date as yours.

If you need legal guidance for your UK Skilled Worker Dependent visa, contact our immigration solicitors at 0208 616 5535 or email info@vanguardlaw.co.uk.

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What is a UK skilled worker dependent visa?

The Skilled Worker Dependent Visa UK permits eligible family members (partners and children) of Skilled Worker visa holders to join them in the country.

UK Dependent visa allows spouses, partners, and children under 18 of Skilled Worker visa holders to move to the UK, where they can live, work, and study without restrictions.

Who can apply as a dependent?

You can apply for a UK Skilled Worker Dependent visa if you are:

• a husband, wife, or civil partner of a Skilled Worker visa holder
• an unmarried partner (in a relationship for at least 2 years)
• a child under 18 years old (including stepchildren)

Children over 18 may be eligible if they are already in the UK as dependents and still financially dependent on their parents.

Benefits of the skilled worker dependent visa

The Skilled Worker Dependent visa offers several benefits including allowing dependents to live, work, study, and apply for settlement (ILR) after a certain period.

UK Skilled Worker Dependent visa holders can:

• live in the UK with their family
• work without restrictions
• access healthcare through the National Health Service (NHS)
• access education at UK schools or universities
• travel freely in and out of the UK
• apply for permanent residency (ILR) after 5 years

UK skilled worker dependent visa requirements

To apply for a UK Skilled Worker Dependent visa, you must meet certain requirements including relationship, accommodation, and maintenance funds.

To qualify for a UK skilled worker dependent visa, you must:

• Be a family member of a valid UK Skilled Worker visa holder
• Prove your relationship with the Skilled Worker visa holder
• Be the spouse, partner, or child (under 18) of the Skilled Worker visa holder
• Have sufficient funds to support yourself in the UK
• Have adequate accommodation during your stay in the UK
• Provide tuberculosis (TB) test results (if applicable)

Financial requirements for skilled worker dependents

Dependents must have a minimum amount of money available for support:

• £285 for a partner
• £315 for one child
• £200 for each additional child

The main applicant must also have £1,270 for their own support. Funds must be held for at least 28 consecutive days within 31 days before applying.

Proof is usually required unless:

• The family has been in the UK on a valid visa for at least 12 months, or
• The employer confirms financial support for the first month on the Certificate of Sponsorship.

If dependents apply separately, they must prove financial support unless they have been in the UK for over a year.

English language requirements for skilled worker dependents

Currently, skilled worker dependents are not required to meet any English language proficiency requirements when applying for a dependent visa.

This means that dependents, including spouses, partners, and children, do not need to provide proof of English language proficiency as part of their visa application process.

Adequate accommodation requirement

As a requirement of your UK Skilled Worker Dependent visa, you are required to provide proof of accommodation that complies with UK living standards during your stay.

The UK Skilled Worker visa holder, who acts as your sponsor, will need to show that he or she can provide adequate accommodation for themselves and any dependents who intend to live in the UK.

Documents required for a UK skilled worker dependent visa

For a successful UK skilled worker dependent visa, you must provide documents such as a passport, relationship proof, accommodation details, and maintenance funds.

You will need to provide:

• Your valid passport
• Proof of relationship (e.g., marriage certificate or birth certificate)
• Proof of accommodation in the UK
• Proof of maintenance funds
• A tuberculosis (TB) test result (if applicable)
• The result of a criminal record check (if applicable)
• Additional documents depending on your circumstances

Required documents from the UK skilled worker visa holder

Those in the UK on a skilled worker visa must provide:

• Valid passport or travel document
• BRP card or eVisa (if applicable)
• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number
• Proof of employment in the UK
• Evidence of relationship (e.g., marriage or child’s birth certificate)
• Evidence of maintenance funds (to support yourselves and your dependents)
• Proof of adequate accommodation
• Additional documents depending on your circumstances

How to apply for a UK skilled worker dependent visa?

To apply for a UK Skilled Worker Dependent visa, you need to follow these steps:

1. Assess Your Eligibility
2. Gather Supporting Documents
3. Submit Online Application
4. Attend Your Biometric Appointment
5. Wait for a Decision

1. Assess Your Eligibility

Before applying for a UK Skilled Worker Dependent visa, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria. Contact Vanguard Solicitors at 0208 616 5535 for an eligibility assessment.

2. Gather Supporting Documents

You'll need various supporting documents to submit along with your UK Dependent visa application such as proof of relationship, accommodation, and maintenance funds.

Some applicants must mail their supporting documents to a processing centre. Others might upload copies online, depending on their location.

3. Submit Online Application

You must apply online through the UK government website, ensuring you provide accurate and detailed information to avoid delays.

You will also need to pay the UK Dependent visa application fee and NHS Surcharge at this stage.

Once you have compiled all the necessary documents and completed the application form(s), submit your visa application online and pay the applicable visa fees.

4. Attend Your Biometric Appointment

Book an appointment at your nearest visa application centre (VAC) to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and photographs). You will need to attend the appointment in person.

5. Wait for a Decision

Once you have submitted your application and attended the biometric appointment (if required), you will need to wait for a decision on your visa application.

Processing time for UK skilled worker dependent visa

In 2025, the UK Skilled Worker Dependent visa takes up to 3 weeks from outside the UK and 8 weeks from inside. However, Priority service may be available for faster processing.

A UK Skilled Worker Dependent visa's processing time can vary depending on the case's complexity and the country from which you are applying.

Priority service for UK skilled worker dependent visa applications

How much is the fee for a UK skilled worker dependent visa?

The standard UK visa fee varies based on the duration of stay and the location of the application.

The Skilled Worker Dependent visa fee is £719 per person for up to 3 years if applying from outside the UK, and £827 per person for applications inside the UK.

The fee for a Skilled Worker Dependent visa is £1,420 per person for over 3 years if applying from outside the UK, and £1,636 from within the UK.

In addition to the visa application fee, applicants must pay the NHS (National Health Service) surcharge of £1,035 per year per person.

Immigration solicitors for UK skilled worker dependent visas

Our experienced immigration solicitors offer expert legal advice for Skilled Worker Dependent visa applications, maximising your chances of approval.

Our immigration solicitors in London will:

• Assess your eligibility and explain the application process.
• Advise about the required supporting documents.
• Fill out UK Dependent visa application forms accurately and thoroughly to avoid delays or rejections.
• Organise and submit the complete application package.
• Handle correspondence and enquiries with UKVI on behalf of the applicant.
• Track the application's progress, provide updates, and address any concerns to expedite processing.

Solicitors’ fee for legal assistance with UK dependent visa

Our immigration solicitors in London charge a fixed fee between £1,000 - £1,200 for complete legal services regarding UK Skilled Worker Dependent visa applications.

At Vanguard Solicitors, we offer affordable legal services related to UK visa applications on a fixed fee basis with no hidden costs or nasty financial surprises.

Need legal assistance with your UK dependent visa?

For legal advice or assistance with your UK Skilled Worker Dependent visa, contact our immigration solicitors at 0208 616 5535 or email info@vanguardlaw.co.uk.