Family support is integral in creating an environment for migrant workers to thrive while contributing their skills in a foreign country. For individuals on the UK Skilled Worker route, the Skilled Worker Dependent Visa is the perfect solution to be with their loved ones while they work in the UK.

This guide discusses the UK Skilled Worker Dependent Visa, including key insights into eligibility requirements and navigating the application process.

What is the Skilled Worker Dependent Visa?

The UK Skilled Worker Dependent Visa allows skilled workers to bring their immediate family members, such as spouses and children, to join them while they work in the UK. Dependents can apply for this visa at the same time the main applicant is applying for their Skilled Worker Visa or at a later date to join the lead applicant.

The dependent visa is a long-term visa. As such, applicants who intend to visit their UK-based relatives for short periods of not more than six months should instead apply for a Standard Visitor Visa.

The Skilled Worker Dependent Visa will usually expire on the same date as the main applicant’s. If a child’s parents have visas with different end dates, the child’s visa will expire on the earliest date.

Eligibility Requirements for the Skilled Worker Dependent Visa

To be eligible for the Skilled Worker Dependent Visa, an applicant must be related to the skilled worker as any of the following:

• A husband, wife, civil partner, or unmarried partner
• A child under 18
• A child over 18 currently living in the UK as the main applicant’s dependent

Requirements for Spouses and Partners

Spouses, civil partners, and unmarried partners must be above 18 at the time of the application and must prove one of the following:

• That they are in a marriage or civil partnership that’s recognised in the UK
• That they have been living together for at least two years by the date of the application
• That they have been in a relationship for at least two years but cannot live together due to work, studies, or because it is not accepted in their culture.

Spouses and partners not residing together will need to prove to the UK Home Office that they have an ongoing commitment by providing evidence of the following:

• Regular communication with each other
• Financial support to each other
• Care for any children they have together
• Time spent as a couple

Requirements for Children

Dependent children can only apply for the visa if they are either joining both parents or joining the parent with sole parental responsibility for their upbringing. However, if the children don't meet this requirement and there are serious or compelling reasons why the application cannot be refused, the Home Office may grant the visa.

Additionally, children between 16 and 18 must not be living an independent life. This means that they must not be married or in a civil partnership and must prove that they live with their parents, except they stay outside the home for studies.

Financial Requirements

As part of the requirements for the Skilled Worker Dependent Visa, applicants must have a minimum amount of money to support themselves while in the UK. The amount includes:

• £285 for partners
• £315 for one child
• £200 for each additional child

Applicants are expected to have had the funds available for at least 28 days in a row. The 28th day must be within 31 days of submitting their visa application.

Documents Required for the Skilled Worker Dependent Visa

Dependants will be required to submit the following documents to support their application:

• A valid passport
• Evidence of relationship to the lead applicant with any of the following:
  • Birth certificate for dependent children
  • Marriage or civil partnership certificates and other documents that prove they are in a genuine relationship
• Tuberculosis test certificate, if applicable
• Criminal record certificate

Children between 16 and 18 will also need to provide evidence that they are not living an independent life with the following documents:

• Bank statements
• Credit card bills
• Driving license
• NHS registration document
• Official letter from their university or college

Note that all documents should either be in English or Welsh. Documents not in both languages must be accompanied by a certified translation.

How to Apply for the Dependent Visa

Each applicant for the Skilled Worker Dependent Visa must submit a separate application online through the UK government website.

To begin, applicants must create an account and complete the online application form. They must provide the Unique Application Number (UAN) from the main applicant’s Skilled Worker Visa application. If the lead applicant got a family linking code when they applied, their family members could also provide it to link their applications.

The next step is to pay the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Afterwards, dependents must book and attend an appointment at a visa application centre (VAC) to submit their biometric information (fingerprints and photographs). In some cases, applicants may be able to submit their identity documents using the UK Immigration: ID Check app and not need to visit a VAC.

After applying, the Home Office will process the application and provide applicants with a decision within three weeks.

Cost of the Skilled Worker Dependent Visa

The application fee for the dependent visa varies depending on an applicant’s circumstances. Here’s a breakdown of the fees:

• For a stay of up to three years: £719 per applicant (£551 for jobs on the Immigration Salary List)
• For a stay of more than three years: £1,420 per applicant (£1,084 for jobs on the Immigration Salary List)
• Biometric enrollment fee: £19.20
• IHS for adults: £1,035 annually
• IHS for children: £776 annually

Conclusion

The Skilled Worker Dependent Visa fosters family unity and helps to create a more supportive environment for sponsored skilled workers in the UK.

However, the application process for this visa can be complex. There are different requirements to meet, and immigration laws typically change frequently, making the process challenging to navigate.

If you're a skilled worker planning to relocate your family or a dependent seeking to join a loved one, you should consider seeking help from an immigration lawyer. A lawyer can guide you through the process and help you get a successful outcome.