You can apply for a student dependant visa entry clearance to join a person who is in the UK on a student visa and who is studying or coming to study an eligible course in the UK. An application for a student dependent visa entry clearance is made in accordance with the requirements as set out in Appendix Student of the Immigration Rules. As a result of a successful application for a student dependent visa entry clearance, the applicant will be granted leave to remain until the main applicant's (i.e., the student's) visa expiry date.
If you are the partner or child of an eligible international student studying in the UK, you may be able to apply for a Student Dependant Visa Entry Clearance to join your family member in the United Kingdom.
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At Premium Solicitors, our experienced immigration solicitors provide specialist legal advice and representation for Student Dependant Visa applications, helping families reunite in the UK with confidence. Our team can assist you with every stage of the application process, from assessing eligibility and preparing supporting documents to submitting a strong visa application and responding to any Home Office queries.
- Page Contents
- Free Immigration Advice
- What is a Dependant Visa Entry Clearance?
- Who Can Apply?
- Eligibility Requirements
- How To Apply?
- Processing Time
- Student Course Requirement
- Relationship Requirement
- Financial Requirement
- Care and Age Requirements for the Child
- Documents for Dependant Visa
- What Can Dependants Do
- Common Refusal Reasons
- How Our Solicitors Can Help
- Why Choose Us?
- Our Team of Immigration Solicitors
- Book an Appointment
- Our Fixed Fees
- Get a Quote
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What Is a Student Dependant Visa Entry Clearance?
A Student Dependant Visa Entry Clearance is permission granted by the Home Office that allows eligible family members of certain Student Visa holders to enter the UK and live with the main visa holder.
An application for entry clearance must usually be made from outside the UK before travelling. If successful, the dependant will receive immigration permission linked to the Student Visa holder's period of leave.
Who Can Apply for a Student Dependant Visa Entry Clearance?
A Student Dependant Visa may be available for:
- A husband, wife or civil partner of an eligible Student Visa holder;
- An unmarried partner who has lived with the student in a relationship similar to marriage for at least two years;
- A child under the age of 18.
However, significant restrictions were introduced from 1 January 2024. Most international students can no longer bring dependants to the UK unless they fall within specific categories. Eligible students generally include government-sponsored students or those studying qualifying postgraduate research programmes.
Requirements For Student Dependant Visa Entry Clearance
A person applying for a student dependant visa entry clearance from outside the UK must meet the following requirements for the student dependant visa application to be approved by the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO):
- The applicant must submit a valid application in accordance with the requirements set out in Appendix Student of the Immigration Rules.
- The suitability requirements for a partner or child on the Student route are that they must not fall within the refusal grounds set out in Appendix Part Suitability of the Immigration Rules.
- The applicant must meet the student course requirement to qualify for a student dependant visa for the UK.
- The applicant must meet the relationship requirement as required in Appendix Student of the Immigration Rules.
- The applicant must meet the financial requirement by showing the required level of funds for maintenance maintained for 28 days.
- A person applying for entry clearance as a partner or child of a Student must, if Appendix Tuberculosis of the Immigration Rules apply, provide a valid medical certificate confirming that they have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that this tuberculosis is not present in them.
How to Apply for a Student Dependant Visa Entry Clearance?
The application process generally involves:
Step 1: Assess Eligibility
Confirm that the Student Visa holder qualifies to have dependants under the current Immigration Rules.
Step 2: Prepare Supporting Documents
Gather all required evidence demonstrating the relationship and financial requirements.
Step 3: Submit Online Application
Complete and submit the online Student Dependant Visa application.
Step 4: Attend Biometrics Appointment
Applicants will usually need to provide fingerprints and a digital photograph at a Visa Application Centre.
Step 5: Await Home Office Decision
The Home Office will consider the application and decide whether to grant entry clearance.
Processing Times
The processing time of the student dependant visa entry clearance applications is as follows:
Standard Service: decision normally within 3 weeks
Priority Service: decision usually within 5 working days
Student Course Requirement for Student Dependant Visa
For you to bring your dependants on a student dependant visa, you (the student) must be one of the following:
- a government-sponsored student starting a course that lasts longer than 6 months
- a full-time student on:
- a PhD or other doctorate (RQF level 8); or
- a research-based Masters
Relationship Requirement
The relationship requirements are as follows:
Relationship Requirement for a Partner
The applicant must be the partner of a Person (P) where one of the following applies:
- P has permission to stay on the Student route; or
- P is, at the same time, applying for (and is granted) entry clearance or permission to stay on the Student route.
The requirements of Appendix Relationship with Partner must be met.
Relationship Requirement for a Child
The applicant must be the child of a parent who has, or is at the same time being granted permission as:
- a Student; or
- the partner of a Student.
The applicant’s parents must each be either applying at the same time as the applicant or have permission to be in the UK (other than as a visitor) unless:
- the parent with permission as a Student or as the partner of a Student is the sole surviving parent; or
- the parent with permission as a Student or as the partner of a Student has sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing; or
- the decision maker is satisfied that there are serious and compelling reasons to grant the child entry clearance or permission to stay with the parent who has permission as a Student or as the partner of a Student.
- if the applicant is a child born in the UK to a Student or their partner, the applicant must provide a full UK birth certificate showing the names of both parents.
Financial Requirement for the Dependent Partner of a Student
If the applicant is applying for entry clearance, the applicant or their partner (who must be a Student or applying at the same time as a Student) must have the funds specified in the table below, for a total of 9 months, or for the period of permission applied for by the applicant, whichever is shorter.
| Place of Student’s study | Funds required by a dependent partner |
|---|---|
| Studying in London | £845 per month |
| Studying outside London | £680 per month |
- The funds must be in addition to the funds required for the Student to meet the financial requirement, and the funds required to meet the financial requirement for any dependent child who is applying at the same time, or is already in the UK as a dependent child of the Student.
- Unless the applicant is relying on financial sponsorship from a Government or international scholarship agency that covers the living costs of the applicant and the Student, they must show that they have held the required level of funds for a 28-day period, as specified in Appendix Finance.
- Unless the applicant applies at the same time as the Student, the applicant must demonstrate that they have the required funds as specified in Appendix Finance.
- If the funds held in the applicant’s account on the date of decision fall substantially below the level of required funds, the decision maker must be satisfied that the spent funds have been used to pay a deposit for accommodation or other costs associated with the proposed period of permission in the UK.
Care and Age Requirement for a Dependent Child of a Student
- If the applicant is aged under 18 on the date of application, there must be suitable arrangements for the child’s care and accommodation in the UK which must comply with relevant UK legislation and regulations.
- The child must be under the age of 18 at the date of application, unless they were last granted permission as a dependent child of the parent (P) who has or is applying for entry clearance or permission to stay as a Student or as a partner of a Student (regardless of the route under which the parent (P) had permission at the time the child’s last permission was granted).
- If the child is aged 16 or over on the date of application, they must not be leading an independent life.
Documents Required for Student Dependant Visa Entry Clearance
The documents required for the dependant visa entry clearance may vary depending on the applicant's circumstances. The documents required may include:
- Current passport;
- Tuberculosis (TB) certificate (where required);
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate;
- Birth certificates for children;
- Evidence of relationship history;
- Financial evidence;
- Confirmation of the student's immigration status;
- Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) details;
- Evidence of accommodation arrangements;
- Translations of non-English documents.
Every application is unique and additional documents may be required depending on the applicant's circumstances.
What Can Student Dependants Do in the UK?
Successful Student Dependants can generally:
- Live in the UK with a Student Visa holder;
- Work in most occupations;
- Study in the UK;
- Access private healthcare after payment of the Immigration Health Surcharge;
- Travel freely in and out of the UK during the validity of their visa.
Specific conditions will be stated on the dependant's immigration permission.
Common Reasons for Refusal
Student Dependant Visa Entry Clearance applications may be refused for reasons such as:
- Failure to meet eligibility requirements;
- Insufficient financial evidence;
- Missing documents;
- Inadequate proof of relationship;
- Inconsistencies in the application;
- Failure to satisfy the Home Office that the relationship is genuine.
Obtaining professional legal advice before submitting an application can significantly reduce the risk of refusal.
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 form for your entry clearance.
Submitting an application via Priority Service: Where possible, our immigration lawyers will submit your online entry clearance application via Priority Service to obtain a faster decision.
Booking an appointment with the application centre: After the online submission of your entry clearance application, 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 approval.
Uploading documents online: Before the biometrics enrolment date, our immigration lawyers will upload online all the supporting documents to be considered in support of the entry clearance application.
Follow-up work: Our immigration lawyers will handle all follow-up until the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) makes a decision on the entry clearance application.
Why Choose Premium Solicitors?
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Specialist Immigration Solicitors for Dependant Visas
Our immigration solicitors are specialists in UK visa applications for student dependants. As one of the best immigration solicitors, we have an excellent track record of helping clients obtain UK visas as student 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 student dependant.
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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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Our Fixed Fees for Student Dependant Visa Entry Clearance
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.
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FAQs - Student Dependant Visa Entry Clearance
The following are various Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about a student dependant visa entry clearance:
A Student Dependant Visa Entry Clearance allows eligible family members of a Student visa holder to enter the UK and stay with the main applicant during their studies. Eligible dependants normally include a spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, and dependent children.
You can apply for Student Dependant Visa Entry Clearance if you are the partner or child of a Student visa holder who is permitted to bring dependants to the UK. Following changes to the Immigration Rules, only certain categories of Student visa holders can sponsor dependants.
No. Since January 2024, most students studying undergraduate or taught master's degree courses can no longer bring dependants to the UK. Generally, only government-sponsored students on courses lasting more than six months and students studying eligible postgraduate research programmes can sponsor dependants.
A dependant is normally:
- A husband, wife, or civil partner;
- An unmarried partner in a genuine and subsisting relationship; or
- A dependent child under the age of 18.
Other family members, such as parents, siblings, or adult relatives, do not usually qualify as Student dependants.
The documents required for the student dependant visa entry clearance may vary depending on the applicant's circumstances. The required documents may include:
- Valid passport;
- Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate;
- Evidence of a genuine and subsisting relationship;
- Birth certificates for dependent children;
- Evidence of maintenance funds;
- Copies of the Student visa holder's passport and visa;
- Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS);
- Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate (if applicable);
- Supporting documents required by UKVI.
The exact documents depend on the circumstances of each case.
Dependants must normally show maintenance funds in accordance with the Student route financial requirements. The amount depends on whether the Student sponsor is studying in London or outside London and how many dependants are applying. The funds usually need to be held for at least 28 consecutive days before the application is submitted.
Yes. Most Student dependants must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of their visa application. This allows access to the National Health Service (NHS) during their stay in the UK.
In most cases, Student dependants are permitted to work in the UK without restrictions on working hours, except for certain prohibited occupations such as professional sportsperson or sports coach roles. They may also undertake studies in the UK.
Applications made from outside the UK are usually decided within approximately three weeks after biometric enrolment. An application submitted through Priority Service is normally decided within 5 working days.
Yes. A dependent child may apply separately, provided they meet the Immigration Rules and can demonstrate their relationship to the Student visa holder. However, applications are often submitted together to simplify the process.
Yes. Unmarried partners may qualify if they can demonstrate a genuine and durable relationship. Strong supporting evidence of the relationship will be required.
If a Student Dependant Visa Entry Clearance application is refused, the applicant may be able to submit a fresh application, request an Administrative Review where available, or challenge the decision through other legal remedies depending on the circumstances. Professional legal advice should be sought immediately.
Premium Solicitors provides comprehensive legal assistance with Student Dependant Visa Entry Clearance applications, including:
- Assessing eligibility;
- Preparing supporting documents;
- Advising on financial requirements;
- Drafting legal representations;
- Submitting applications;
- Dealing with complex relationship evidence;
- Challenging refusals through Administrative Review or Judicial Review where appropriate.
Our experienced immigration solicitors can guide you through every stage of the application process to maximise your prospects of success.