UK Family, Dependent, Partner and Spouse Visas

If you have a visa that allows a route to settlement, such as Tier 1 or Tier 2 of the Points Based System, HSMP, a UK Work Permit for a period greater than six months then you can usually bring your family, dependents, partner or spouse with you to the UK.

The dependent visa will generally allow the same rights as the holder of the immigration document, although it should be noted that the dependent visa does not qualify towards Permanent Residence or Indefinite Leave to Remain. Dependents will only be allowed to apply for Permanent Residence, Indefinite Leave to Remain or Citizenship as the dependent of the main applicant.

The primary categories are as follow:

Dependent Family Members

This category is for direct family members, such as dependent children under the age of 18, spouses and unmarried partners. The holder of this visa will be allowed the same working rights as the main visa or work permit holder. It is worth noting that a dependent of a Work Permit holder can work for any employer, whereas the holder of the Work Permit can only work for the Company sponsoring the Work Permit.

Spouse or Partner of someone settled in the UK

This category is generally used for a UK Citizen to bring their spouse or unmarried partner to the UK. The holder of the Spouse visa will be allowed the right to work in any capacity and for any employer. The applicant and sponsor will need to prove that they are legally married and/or that they have been in a relationship akin to marriage for at least a couple of years, have met each other, intend to live together, can support themselves financially and have adequate accommodation in place.

EEA members living in the UK can bring their non-EU partners, spouses and dependents to the UK under the EEA Family Permit, the criteria for which are similar to the above.

Fiance Visa

This category allows a UK Citizen to bring their Fiance to the UK for a maximum period of 6 months, during which time they must intend to marry and then apply for a Spouse Visa. The applicant and sponsor must prove that they have sufficient funds and accommodation in place, that they have met each other and that they intend to live together. The Fiance visa does not allow the holder to work.

Elderly Dependent Visa

In certain circumstances individuals who are present and settled in the UK may be allowed to bring their parents or grandparents to the UK as their dependents. This relies upon the parents or grandparents being either a widow or widower over 65 years of age or being completely or mainly financially dependent upon the relative present and settled in the UK.