Ibrahim Gardner
The United Kingdom is known for its prestigious educational institutions, attracting a large number of international students each year. For international students planning to study in the UK with their families, navigating the UK's student and dependent visa requirements is critical. As of January 2024, international students are no longer able to bring dependents on their student visas, except for those enrolled in research postgraduate programmes. This change was implemented by the UK government to reduce net migration while maintaining its commitment to hosting 600,000 international students by 2030. Previously, spouses of international students could work in the UK if certain conditions were met, such as the primary visa holder being enrolled in a postgraduate course or a government-sponsored course longer than nine months.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Student visa, Dependant visa |
| Who can apply for a Dependant visa? | Spouses, partners, children under 18, elderly parents |
| Who is the primary visa holder? | The student |
| Who can be a dependant? | Spouse, child, or parent of the primary visa holder |
| What is the visa duration? | Depends on the student's course duration |
| Can the spouse work? | Yes, if the student is enrolled in a postgraduate course or is a government-sponsored student on a course longer than 9 months |
| Work restrictions for spouses | Cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach |
| Visa application requirements | Current passports, proof of relationship, financial evidence showing sufficient funds, proof of accommodation in the UK, Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) |
| Financial requirements | £680 for each month the visa will be valid, up to a maximum of 9 months |
| Visa application fee | £524 |
| Latest changes to the policy | From 1 January 2024, international students will not be able to bring dependants unless they are on research postgraduate programmes |
| Affected groups | Women, students from certain countries, universities |
| Reason for the change | To reduce net migration to the UK |
| Number of dependant visas granted in 2022 | 136,000 |
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What You'll Learn
Postgraduate students can bring dependants
Postgraduate students can bring their dependants to the UK, but there are some conditions that must be met. Firstly, the postgraduate course must be a research programme, and the course duration must be more than nine months. Dependants include spouses or civil partners, children under the age of 18, and elderly parents who need long-term care.
To apply for a dependant visa, several documents are required, including current passports, proof of relationship (such as marriage certificates or birth certificates for children), and financial evidence showing sufficient funds. The visa application fee for dependants is £524. The financial requirement for a dependant visa is £680 per month for up to nine months, which is a total of £6,120 per dependant. This money can be held in the student's name or the spouse/partner's name and must have been held for at least 28 consecutive days before submitting the online application. If the student has financial sponsorship that covers the living costs of dependants, a letter from the sponsor can be submitted instead.
It is important to note that the rights and status of dependants are closely linked to the student visa conditions. Dependants of postgraduate students are generally allowed to work without restrictions, except as a professional sportsperson or sports coach. However, this may change in the future as the UK government has announced plans to reduce migration to the country. From January 2024, international students were no longer able to bring dependants on their student visas, except for those on research postgraduate programmes. This change was made to reduce migration to the UK while still attracting international students.
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Dependants must meet visa criteria
As per the UK government's announcement in May 2023, international students pursuing their studies in the UK will not be allowed to bring dependants with them on their student visa from 1 January 2024. This means that spouses or partners of international students will not be able to accompany them to the UK on a dependant visa unless the student is enrolled in a research postgraduate programme.
If you are enrolled in a postgraduate course or are a government-sponsored student on a course longer than nine months, your spouse can generally work without restrictions. This means they can seek employment in any sector, except as a professional sportsperson or sports coach. It is important to note that this only applies to postgraduate courses and does not include undergraduate courses or courses shorter than nine months.
To apply for a dependant visa, the spouse must meet certain criteria and provide the necessary documentation. Firstly, they must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to cover their living costs in the UK, which is £680 for each month of their visa validity, up to a maximum of nine months. This amounts to a total of £6,120 per dependant for a nine-month visa. They can provide a bank statement or a bank letter showing that they have held the required funds for a minimum of 28 consecutive days before submitting their application. Alternatively, if the student has financial sponsorship that covers the living costs of dependants, a letter from the sponsor can be submitted.
In addition to financial requirements, the spouse must provide proof of their relationship with the student, such as a marriage certificate. They will also need to submit their biometric information, including fingerprints and a photo, and they must not travel outside the UK until they receive a decision on their application. It is important to note that the rights and status of dependants are closely linked to the student visa conditions of the primary visa holder.
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Dependants can work without restrictions
As per the new UK immigration strategy, international students travelling to the UK will no longer be able to bring dependants on their student visa, unless they are enrolled in a research postgraduate programme. This rule came into effect on 1st January 2024.
Dependants include children under the age of 18, spouses or civil partners, and elderly parents who need long-term care. If you are enrolled in a postgraduate course or are a government-sponsored student on a course longer than 9 months, your spouse can work in the UK without any restrictions. This means they can seek employment in any sector except as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.
To apply for a dependant visa, you must prepare essential documents, including current passports, proof of relationship (like marriage certificates or birth certificates for children), and financial evidence showing sufficient funds. You must also provide documentation confirming your residential address from two separate sources to prove that you are not leading an independent life. Any documents not in English must be accompanied by official certified translations. The visa application process also involves providing fingerprints and a photo (biometric information).
It is important to note that the rights and status of your dependants are largely dependent on your student visa conditions. Therefore, understanding the eligibility for work, the application process, and the conditions of stay is crucial for international students planning to study in the UK with their families.
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Dependants must prove financial support
As of January 1, 2024, international students studying in the UK are no longer able to bring dependants with them on their student visas, unless they are enrolled in a research postgraduate programme. Dependants are defined as spouses, partners, or children under 18.
If you are enrolled in a postgraduate course or are a government-sponsored student on a course longer than 9 months, your spouse can work full-time in the UK without restrictions, except as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.
If you are applying for a dependant visa, you must prove that you have sufficient funds to cover living costs in the UK. This is £680 for each month the visa will be valid, up to a maximum of 9 months, which equates to a total of £6,120 per dependant. A bank statement or bank letter can be used to prove this, and the funds can be held in the student's name or the spouse/partner's name. The financial documentation must show that the required level of funds has been held for a minimum consecutive 28-day period, ending no more than 31 days before the date of application.
If you have a student loan or financial sponsorship, you will need to provide evidence of this from your loan or sponsorship company. If your loan does not cover your dependant, you will need to prove that you have money to support them instead. Your dependant does not need to prove that they have this money if they have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months. If you and your dependant are from a country listed under the 'differential evidence requirement' and you are applying at the same time, they do not need to prove they have money to support themselves. However, they might be asked to provide this evidence before they get a decision on their application.
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Dependants must apply online
As per the new UK immigration strategy, international students travelling to the UK will no longer be able to bring dependants on their student visa, unless they are enrolled in a research postgraduate programme. This rule came into effect on 1st January 2024.
Dependants include children under the age of 18, spouses or civil partners, and elderly parents who need long-term care. If you are enrolled in a postgraduate course or are a government-sponsored student on a course longer than 9 months, your spouse can work full-time in the UK.
If you are eligible to bring your dependants to the UK, they must apply for their dependant visa online. Here are the steps they need to follow:
- Ensure that your situation meets the criteria for a dependent visa. Typically, dependants are spouses, partners, or children under 18. The relationship must be genuine and subsisting at the time of application, and you must intend to live together throughout your stay in the UK.
- Verify that the primary visa holder (the student) is enrolled in a full-time course at a postgraduate level or higher, or a government-sponsored course.
- Prepare essential documents, including current passports, proof of relationship (such as marriage certificates or birth certificates for children), and financial evidence showing sufficient funds. Financial documentation must show that the required level of funds has been held for a minimum consecutive 28-day period, ending no more than 31 days before the date of application.
- Collect additional supporting documents, such as proof of accommodation in the UK and the student’s Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
- As part of their application, they will need to have their fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point.
- They will need your application number, which is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN).
Please note that the UK government has announced a review of post-study work visas as part of new measures to curb migration. Therefore, it is essential to stay updated with the latest visa requirements and guidelines.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, if the student is enrolled in a postgraduate course or is a government-sponsored student on a course longer than 9 months, the spouse can work full-time in the UK without any restrictions. This means they can seek employment in any sector, except as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.
The spouse of an international student can apply for a dependent visa. This visa is closely linked to the student visa, so the rights and status of the spouse depend on the conditions of the student visa.
The primary visa holder must be enrolled in a full-time course at a postgraduate level or higher, or a government-sponsored course. The spouse must provide essential documents, including a current passport, proof of relationship (e.g., a marriage certificate), and financial evidence showing sufficient funds. They must also have their fingerprints and photo taken as part of the application process.
