A Dependant Visa Entry Clearance application allows eligible family members of certain UK visa holders to join their sponsor in the UK. If you are the spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, or dependent child of a person who holds a qualifying UK visa, you may be able to apply for entry clearance as a dependant from outside the UK.
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At Premium Solicitors, our specialist UK immigration solicitors provide expert legal assistance for dependant visa entry clearance applications, ensuring that your application is prepared professionally and submitted with the strongest possible supporting evidence.
- Page Contents
- Free Immigration Advice
- Eligibility Requirements
- What is a Dependant Visa Entry Clearance?
- Who Can Apply?
- Processing Time
- Priority Visa Service
- Common Refusal Reasons
- Why Choose Us?
- How Our Solicitors Can Help
- Our Team of Immigration Solicitors
- Book an Appointment
- Our Fixed Fees
- Get a Quote
- FAQs
Free Immigration Advice for a Dependant Visa UK
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Requirements for Dependant Visa Entry Clearance
You should satisfy the following requirements to be eligible for a UK dependant visa entry clearance:
Valid application: You must submit a valid application from outside the UK for a dependant visa entry clearance.
Relationship requirement: The applicant must meet the relationship requirement according to UK immigration rules.
Age requirement for partner: If the applicant is applying as a dependent partner, they must be aged 18 or over on the date of application.
Age and care requirements for a child: If the applicant is applying as a dependent child, they must be under 18 on the date of application, unless they were last granted permission as the dependent child of their parent or parents. If the applicant is a child aged under 18 on the date of application, there must be suitable arrangements for the child’s care and accommodation in the UK that comply with relevant UK legislation and regulations.
Suitability requirement: The applicant must not fall for refusal under Appendix Part Suitability of the Immigration Rules.
Financial requirement: The applicant must meet the financial requirement in accordance with the Immigration Rules.
Criminal Record Certificate: If applicable, you should provide a criminal record certificate from the relevant authority in any country in which you have been present for 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the 10 years before the date of application, and while aged 18 or over.
Tuberculosis Test Certificate: If Appendix Tuberculosis (TB) of the Immigration Rules apply, the applicant must provide a valid medical certificate confirming that they have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that this tuberculosis is not present in them.
What Is a Dependant Visa Entry Clearance Application?
Entry clearance is permission granted by the Home Office to enter the UK. If you are outside the UK and wish to join a family member who holds a qualifying UK immigration status, you will usually need to obtain entry clearance before travelling.
A successful dependant visa entry clearance application enables you to:
- Live in the UK with the main visa holder;
- Work in the UK (subject to immigration rules);
- Study in the UK;
- Access the NHS after payment of the Immigration Health Surcharge (where applicable);
- Travel in and out of the UK during the validity of your visa.
Who Can Apply for Entry Clearance as a Dependant?
The following family members may qualify for a dependant visa:
Dependant Partner
You may qualify if you are:
- A husband or wife;
- A civil partner;
- An unmarried partner in a genuine and subsisting relationship.
Applicants must usually demonstrate that the relationship is genuine and ongoing. The Home Office normally requires evidence that unmarried partners have lived together for at least two years or have been in a durable relationship.
Dependant Children
Children may qualify if they are under 18 years of age. The Home Office will assess whether the child is dependent on the sponsoring parent and whether suitable parental responsibility arrangements are in place.
Processing Time for a Dependant Visa Entry Clearance Application
An application for a dependant visa entry clearance submitted through standard service is normally decided within 3 weeks, and an application submitted through Priority Service is typically decided within 5 working days.
Premium Solicitors can assist with urgent dependant visa applications and provide guidance on the fastest available processing options.
Priority Service for a Dependant Visa Entry Clearance
Our specialist team of immigration solicitors and lawyers can provide a Priority Service for your entry clearance application, so you can receive a faster decision. If you submit your entry clearance application via a Priority Service option, it will be decided within 5 working days.
Common Reasons for Refusal
A dependant visa entry clearance application may be refused because of:
- Insufficient relationship evidence;
- Failure to meet financial requirements;
- Missing supporting documents;
- Concerns regarding the genuineness of the relationship;
- Failure to meet child dependency requirements;
- Previous immigration breaches;
- Incorrect application preparation.
Professional legal representation can significantly reduce the risk of refusal.
Why Choose Premium Solicitors for Your Dependant Visa Entry Clearance Application?
Premium Solicitors are specialist UK immigration solicitors with extensive experience in preparing successful dependant visa applications.
Our services include:
- Comprehensive eligibility assessments;
- Detailed document checking;
- Preparation of legal representations;
- Submission of entry clearance applications;
- Priority and Super Priority application support;
- Assistance with refused dependant visa applications;
- Administrative Review and Appeal advice where appropriate.
We are open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and provide immigration advice to clients throughout the UK and worldwide.
How Can We Help?
Our specialist team of immigration solicitors can provide expert immigration advice and legal representation on a fixed fee basis in relation to your entry clearance application. Our fixed fee for your entry clearance application will cover all the work of our immigration solicitors on your entry clearance application until a decision is made by the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) on your application. The casework to be carried out by our immigration solicitors in relation to your entry clearance application will entail the following:
Advice on requirements: Our immigration solicitors will advise you on the relevant requirements you have to meet for your entry clearance application to succeed.
Advice on documents: Our immigration lawyers will prepare and email you a comprehensive list of supporting documents to be submitted in support of your entry clearance application.
Assessment of documents: Our immigration lawyers will assess your documents to make sure that all the documents you provide in support of your entry clearance application are in accordance with the requirements of the Immigration Rules.
Completing the application form: Our immigration lawyers will complete the relevant online application form for your entry clearance.
Submitting an application through Priority Service: Where possible, our immigration lawyers will submit your online entry clearance application through Priority Service to get a faster decision on your entry clearance application.
Booking an appointment with the application centre: After you submit your entry clearance application online, our immigration lawyers will book your appointment with the application centre for you to enrol your biometrics.
Preparing a detailed cover letter: Our specialist immigration solicitors will prepare a detailed cover letter in support of the entry clearance application, explaining that all relevant legal requirements have been satisfied for its approval.
Uploading documents online: Before the biometrics enrolment date, our immigration lawyers will upload all supporting documents for the entry clearance application.
Follow-up work: Our immigration lawyers will handle all follow-up until the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) issues a decision on the entry clearance application.
Specialist Immigration Solicitors for Dependant Visas
Our immigration solicitors are specialists in UK visa applications for dependants. As one of the best immigration solicitors, we have an excellent track record of helping clients obtain UK visas as dependants. Our highly experienced and fully qualified immigration solicitors can provide fast, friendly, reliable, and fixed-fee immigration advice and legal representation for your UK visa as a dependant.
The high quality of UK visa and immigration legal services provided by our best team of immigration lawyers is self-evident from the 5-star Google Reviews rating by 99% of our clients. Our London-based immigration solicitors are available 7 days a week, 365 days a year, offering unwavering dedication and exceptional legal support for a wide range of UK visa and immigration cases. Our team of highly regarded immigration solicitors brings together more than 6 decades of collective, specialised expertise in successfully handling UK visa and immigration applications.
Meet Our Team of Immigration Solicitors in London
At Premium Solicitors, our strength lies in the expertise, dedication, and unwavering commitment of our immigration solicitors in London. We understand that immigration matters are life-changing events, and our team is here to guide you through every step of the dependent visa process with professionalism and care.
Our team comprises a diverse group of immigration solicitors, each bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table. We are united by a shared goal: to deliver the highest level of legal support and advocacy tailored to your immigration needs.
Arshad Mahmood
Specialist UK Immigration Solicitor
Tushita Scalzullo
Specialist UK Immigration Solicitor
Nargis Khodadady
Specialist UK Immigration Solicitor
Asad Malik
Specialist UK Immigration Solicitor
Alina Rizvi
Specialist UK Immigration Solicitor
Victoria Gbenoba
Specialist UK Immigration Solicitor
Nazamah Munir Akhtar
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By removing language barriers, we help minimise misunderstandings and handle your case with clarity and confidence.
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Schedule Your Consultation With Our Immigration Solicitors
Are you seeking expert immigration advice and consultation from our highly experienced and qualified team of immigration solicitors and lawyers in London? It's easy to secure an appointment with our dedicated dependent visa specialists. Our expert team of immigration solicitors and advisors can provide detailed immigration advice and consultation, face-to-face in our offices in London and Birmingham or virtually via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, or Phone. Book your appointment today using the appointment booking link provided below:
Our immigration lawyers are ready to assist you with your UK dependant visa. Book your appointment today for personalised guidance and support.
Our Fixed Fees for Entry Clearance as a Dependant
Our fixed fees for a dependant visa entry clearance application are as given in the fee table below:
| Our Service | Our Fixed Fees Range |
| Full service for the dependant visa Entry Clearance to cover all the work until the decision by the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) | From £1,000 to £1,500 (no VAT) |
Our fixed fee will depend on the complexity of the matter and the volume of work involved in your application. In addition to our fixed fee for assisting you with your application, you must pay the Home Office UKVI fees separately.
Flexible Payment Plan
We offer flexible payment options, allowing you to pay your agreed fixed fee in two instalments. We will require you to pay half of the agreed fixed fee at the time of initial instructions when we start working on your matter, and the remaining half at the time of online submission of your immigration application.
Get a Fixed Fee Quote for Your Immigration Matter
At Premium Solicitors, we believe in transparency and simplicity. We offer fixed-fee quotes for our specialist UK visa and immigration services.
Ready to get started? Use the link below to request a fixed-fee quote tailored to your needs.
How to Engage Us for Your Immigration Matter?
You can instruct immigration solicitors in London at Premium Solicitors for your immigration matter by getting in contact with us using one of the following means of contact:
Call Us: 0044 20 3930 3900
Email Us: info@premiumsolicitors.co.uk
Complete Enquiry Form: Send your enquiry through our website enquiry form
Book an Appointment Online: You can book an appointment with one of our specialist immigration solicitors in London for detailed immigration advice and consultation on your immigration matter.
FAQs - Entry Clearance for a Dependant Visa UK
The following are various Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about an entry clearance application for a dependant visa UK:
Entry clearance for a dependant visa UK is permission granted by the Home Office that allows eligible family members of a UK visa holder to enter the UK and live with the main applicant. Dependants can include a spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, and dependent children who meet the Immigration Rules.
The following family members may qualify for entry clearance as a dependant:
- Husband or wife
- Civil partner
- Unmarried partner
- Children under the age of 18
- Children over 18 who already hold permission as a dependant
Eligibility depends on the immigration category of the main visa holder and the specific requirements of the relevant immigration route.
Yes. If you are outside the UK, you can apply for entry clearance as a dependant before travelling. The application must usually be submitted online, and you must receive a decision before entering the UK.
The documents required for the dependant visa entry clearance application may vary depending on the applicant's circumstances. The documents required may include:
- Valid passport
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate
- Evidence of a genuine and subsisting relationship
- Children's birth certificates
- Evidence of financial maintenance
- Proof of the sponsor's immigration status
- Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate, where applicable
- Any additional documents required by the Home Office
The exact requirements depend on the visa category of the sponsor.
For many work visa dependant applications, the maintenance requirement is:
- £285 for a partner
- £315 for the first child
- £200 for each additional child
These funds must usually be held for at least 28 consecutive days unless the sponsor certifies maintenance or an exemption applies.
Yes. Eligible partners and children can apply for entry clearance as dependants of a Skilled Worker visa holder, provided they satisfy the Immigration Rules and relationship requirements.
The rules for care workers and senior care workers have changed significantly. In many cases, new applicants sponsored as care workers after 11 March 2024 cannot bring dependant family members, subject to limited exceptions.
Most dependant partners are permitted to work in the UK without requiring separate sponsorship. They can usually take employment, become self-employed, or study, subject to any restrictions imposed by the Immigration Rules.
Yes. Dependant children are generally allowed to attend school and pursue education in the UK while holding dependant immigration permission.
Processing times vary depending on the country where the application is submitted and whether a priority service is available. The processing times for most dependent visa entry clearance applications are as follows:
Standard service: decision normally within 3 weeks
Priority Service: decision normally within 5 working days
Most applicants must prove their identity either by using the UK Immigration: ID Check app or by attending a Visa Application Centre to provide biometric information, including fingerprints and a photograph.
Yes. An unmarried partner may qualify if they can demonstrate that the relationship is genuine and durable. Evidence of living together for at least two years or other evidence showing a durable relationship may be required.
Yes. Common reasons for refusal include:
- Insufficient relationship evidence
- Failure to meet maintenance requirements
- Incorrect or incomplete documentation
- Concerns about the genuineness of the relationship
- Failure to satisfy the Immigration Rules
Professional legal advice can significantly reduce the risk of refusal.
In many immigration categories, dependants may become eligible for settlement after completing the required qualifying period in the UK, provided all eligibility requirements are met at the time of application.
A dependant visa application is linked to the immigration status of the main applicant. If the sponsor's visa application is refused, withdrawn, or invalid, dependant applications are generally refused as well.
You can challenge the refusal of a dependant visa entry clearance by filing an Administrative Review (AR) of the refusal decision within 28 days.
Our specialist team of dependant visa solicitors at Premium Solicitors can provide expert legal advice and representation for an Administrative Review (AR) of the dependant visa refusal.
Premium Solicitors are specialist UK immigration solicitors with extensive experience in dependant visa applications. We provide expert legal assistance with:
- Assessing eligibility
- Preparing supporting documents
- Drafting detailed legal representations
- Submitting entry clearance applications
- Responding to Home Office queries
- Challenging refusals through administrative review, appeal, or judicial review where appropriate
Our experienced immigration solicitors are available 7 days a week to provide professional advice and representation for all UK dependant visa applications.