Guide for UK Student Visa Dependents

The Student Visa Dependent category is one of the most popular UK visa types is the Student Visa Dependent. However, it might be difficult to determine which sort of student you are and how many dependents you are permitted to bring with you.

There are numerous sorts of students, such as PhD or Masters students, who may be able to bring their family members to the UK to study. However, undergraduate and postgraduate students must adhere to tight guidelines about whether they may bring their spouse/partner or children to the UK while studying.

This article gives an overview of all the visa alternatives accessible to students travelling from outside Europe to study in England under Tier 4 (General) Student Visas.

 

Who exactly is a dependent?

On the visa application, the phrase 'dependent' refers to either your partner or your children. Other family members are not eligible to be considered as dependents for the student dependent visa.

·       Your spouse, wife, civil partner, married partner, unmarried partner, or same-sex partner can be your partner.

·       Children under the age of 18, providing they were born in the United Kingdom during their stay.

 

Who is qualified to bring a dependent to the United Kingdom?

Not every student is permitted to bring student dependents to the UK. Of course, it depends on what you are studying (or want to study) and how long you intend to stay in the UK. You may only bring dependents if you are:

·       Studying a 9-month or longer course offered by a university, or an RFQ level 7 course leading to a master's degree or higher.

·       A government-sponsored student enrolled in a six-month or longer course.

·       Applying for the Doctorate Extension Scheme (DES).

 

Assume you are a student or have just obtained authorization as a student or via the Student pathway. In that situation, you may invite family members if the following requirements are met:

·       Your immigration permit is current, or it expired no more than three months before you apply for a new visa, and

·       Your course lasts six months, and

·       Your family members have dependent immigration permit, or it has expired within the last three months, and

·       Family members apply for dependent visas at the same time you apply for a new student visa.

 

Requirements for UK Student Visa Dependents

Dependents from within and outside the UK can apply for the student dependent visa online.

·       If you live outside the UK, each dependent must apply separately online at the UK Government website 6 months before the start date of your study.

·       If you are in the United Kingdom, each dependent must apply for a visa renewal before the existing one expires.

If you want to extend your visa or change visas, your dependents must either apply at the same time as you or wait until your new leave is approved.

 

Relationship between the primary applicant and the dependent

The principal applicant's spouse, wife, or civil partner, unmarried partner, or kid under the age of 18 must be a dependent partner or child.

When you apply, you must demonstrate that your connection is legal. A marriage or civil partnership certificate for your spouse or a birth certificate for your kid are common examples of proof of relationship.

If you have a dependent kid who is 16 or 17 years old, you may be required to verify where they reside, why they aren't currently living with you (if relevant), the expenditures you pay for the child, such as monthly rent, school fees, and other documentation that indicate you financially support your child. If you reside with your kid, you may be required to furnish the following:

·       a bank statement with credit card statements

·       driver's licence

·       NHS registration form

·       a letter of recommendation from their institution or college

 

Evidence of funding

The cost of living expenditures (for up to 9 months) that your dependents may require:

·       Courses in London cost £845 per month.

·       Courses outside of London cost £680 per month.

If you apply as a family, you must provide adequate evidence of financial capability to support all members of your family.

Additional student loan or student sponsorship documentation may also be requested.

Dependents seeking employment

Dependents over the age of 16 can work in the UK while you finish your studies.

Dependents will not be eligible for social benefits such as public healthcare or unemployment compensation.

 

How Can I Apply for a UK Student Dependent Visa?

There are three sorts of application forms accessible for various situations.

They are as follows:

·       If you are applying alongside a dependent,

·       If your companion is going to submit the application later,

·       If a dependent kid is born in the United Kingdom

If you apply for immigration within the UK, your dependants must have valid PBS visas (point-based system) such as student visas and dependents visas.

If the dependents have a visa that is different from these two, they should contact the International Student Advisory Team.

All papers that are not written in English must be translated. This, too, should be done by a certified Translator or a translation firm. Specific standards must be met by the translations:

The translations must include the credentials of the company from whom you are having your papers translated.

·       The assurance that the original material is being translated correctly.

·       The translation company's full name and contact information

·       The translation's date and

·       The official signature of the translation company or the translator

Certificates such as qualification certificates, birth certificates, marriage certificates, bank statements, and correspondence must be translated if they are not in English.

 

What Documents Are Required for a Dependent Visa?

The main applicant must submit a few paperwork and certificates for the Student Dependent Visa application. These documents must fulfil certain criteria and, if not in English, must be translated by a qualified translator.

All of the following documents must be submitted when applying for a UK student dependant visa:

·       You must fill the Student PBS dependent form.

·       You must have a valid passport or travel document, including your previous one if it contains your current UK visa.

·       Entry clearance requires your current BRP card, which is your biometric residency permit.

·       You will also need a dependent police registration certificate if you apply while in the UK.

·       If you are applying from outside the UK or visiting for more than six months, you may require a Tuberculosis Certificate. Only in a few countries is TB screening not required for the UK's application. If your nation is not on this list, the TB certificate may not be required for entrance clearance.

·       If the dependent and the student dependent are applying separately, the front and back copies of the UK student visa or BRP are required.

·       A letter from the university verifying that the student seeking for a UK student visa is enrolled.

·       If the dependent is a child born in the UK, a birth certificate proving the link between the student visa holder and the kid is required.

·       Children born in the United Kingdom who do not have travel documentation for a passport must submit their birth certificate. As soon as feasible, apply for the new baby's passport/document.

·       A marriage certificate is required as proof of marriage for a spouse visa if your dependant is your spouse.

·       Assume it is your partner with whom you are not married. In such instance, the emails, phone logs, family photographs, letters, and so on can be used as evidence, as proof of continuing a connection is necessary for immigration approval.

·       Unmarried and same-sex couples must present evidence that their relationship is comparable to marriage. They must demonstrate that they have lived together for at least two years.

·       For immigration approval, documentation that the dependent can pay 6120 euros per dependent and 680 euros per month for up to 9 months is required.

·       Children aged 16 and up must demonstrate that they have not created an independent family or live an independent life. A letter from their educational institution confirming their residence, an NHS registration paperwork, or bank account statements are examples of acceptable papers.

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