UK Skilled Worker Family Members: Dependent Visas

Executive Summary

The UK Skilled Worker visa allows eligible family members to join or remain with the main applicant in the UK. This includes spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners, children under 18, and certain dependent relatives. Family members can apply simultaneously with the main applicant or separately once the Skilled Worker visa is granted.

What this means for you: Your family doesn’t have to wait behind. With proper planning and documentation, they can start their UK journey alongside you or join you later without lengthy separations.

Family members receive significant benefits including the right to work (with some restrictions), study, and access NHS healthcare. The application process requires specific relationship evidence, financial maintenance proof, and adherence to UK immigration rules.

Real mistake we’ve seen: Many applicants assume family visas are automatic. They’re not. Each family member needs individual assessment, proper documentation, and must meet specific eligibility criteria. Missing even one requirement can delay the entire family’s plans.

Understanding the requirements upfront prevents costly delays and ensures your family can build their UK life together from day one.

Who Qualifies as an Eligible Family Member?

Spouse or Civil Partner

Your spouse or civil partner can join you if you’re legally married or in a registered civil partnership. What this means for you: Common-law relationships don’t qualify unless you meet specific unmarried partner criteria.

Key requirements:

• Valid marriage certificate or civil partnership registration
• Relationship must be genuine and subsisting
• Both parties must be 18 or over
• No immigration restrictions preventing entry

If you’re applying from countries with high refusal rates: UK visa officers scrutinize marriages from certain regions more closely. Provide extensive relationship evidence including photos spanning multiple years, joint financial commitments, and communication records.

Unmarried Partners

Long-term unmarried partners can qualify if you’ve lived together in a relationship similar to marriage for at least two years immediately before application.

Documentation requirements:

• Proof of cohabitation for minimum two years
• Joint tenancy agreements or mortgage documents
• Shared financial responsibilities (bank accounts, bills, insurance)
• Evidence of genuine relationship

Real mistake we’ve seen: Couples assuming brief periods of separation don’t matter. Any gap in cohabitation resets the two-year requirement. Document continuous cohabitation carefully.

Children Under 18

Dependent children can join if they’re under 18 on the date of application and meet dependency requirements.

Eligible children include:

• Biological children of the main applicant
• Biological children of the applicant’s partner
• Adopted children with legal adoption orders
• Children under guardianship arrangements

What this means for you: Step-children need additional documentation proving the relationship and that they’re part of your family unit.

If you’re applying from countries with document reliability concerns: Ensure birth certificates, adoption papers, and guardianship orders are properly authenticated and translated by certified translators.

Dependent Adult Children

Children over 18 can qualify only in exceptional circumstances:

• Severe illness or disability preventing independent living
• Long-term dependency due to medical conditions
• Court-ordered dependency arrangements

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Obtain independent medical assessments and social services reports to support adult child dependency claims.

Dependent Relatives

Parents, grandparents, or other relatives can join in exceptional circumstances if they require long-term personal care that can only be provided by the main applicant in the UK.

High threshold requirements:

• Relative requires daily personal care
• Care needs cannot be met in home country
• No other family members can provide care
• Main applicant is the only suitable caregiver

Real mistake we’ve seen: Assuming elderly parents automatically qualify. The bar is extremely high, requiring extensive medical evidence and proof that adequate care isn’t available in the home country.

Application Process: Simultaneous vs. Separate Applications

Simultaneous Applications

Family members can apply at the same time as the main Skilled Worker applicant. This is often the most efficient approach.

Benefits of simultaneous applications:

• Coordinated processing timelines
• Single visa application center appointment
• Shared documentation requirements
• Consistent decision dates

What this means for you: Your family gets decisions together, allowing coordinated travel and settlement planning.

Separate Applications

Family members can apply after the main applicant receives their Skilled Worker visa. This flexibility helps families who need time to prepare documentation or prefer staggered migration.

When separate applications work better:

• Main applicant needs to establish UK residence first
• Family requires additional time for document preparation
• Children need to complete school terms
• Complex family situations requiring sequential processing

Processing timelines:

• Standard processing: 3-8 weeks from outside the UK
• Priority processing: 5-10 working days (additional fee applies)
• Super priority processing: 1-2 working days (limited availability)

Real mistake we’ve seen: Families applying separately without understanding the main applicant’s obligations. The Skilled Worker must maintain their visa status throughout the family application process.

Required Documentation

For all family members:

• Valid passport with at least 6 months validity
• Biometric residence permit (if applying from within UK)
• Relationship evidence specific to family member type
• Financial maintenance proof
• English language evidence (if required)
• Tuberculosis test results (from specified countries)

If you’re applying from countries requiring additional scrutiny: Prepare comprehensive documentation packages. Officers may request additional evidence, so maintain detailed records of all relationships and financial arrangements.

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Create a family application portfolio with clear documentation for each family member, indexed and organized for easy officer review.

Financial Requirements: Maintenance Funds

Maintenance Fund Obligations

The main applicant must demonstrate ability to support family members without relying on public funds. This requires specific maintenance funds in addition to the main applicant’s requirements.

Current maintenance requirements per family member:

• Spouse/Partner: £630 per month
• First child: £315 per month
• Each additional child: £200 per month
• Dependent relatives: £630 per month

What this means for you: A family of four (main applicant, spouse, two children) needs £1,145 monthly maintenance funds beyond the main applicant’s personal requirements.

Calculation Examples

Family with spouse only:

• Main applicant maintenance: £1,270
• Spouse maintenance: £630
• Total required: £1,900

Family with spouse and two children:

• Main applicant maintenance: £1,270
• Spouse maintenance: £630
• First child: £315
• Second child: £200
• Total required: £2,415

Real mistake we’ve seen: Applicants calculating maintenance funds incorrectly by using outdated rates or misunderstanding per-child requirements. Always verify current rates before application.

Exemptions from Maintenance Requirements

Certain applicants are exempt from proving maintenance funds:

• Main applicant earns £25,600 or more annually
• Family member has been in UK with valid visa for 12+ months
• Applying from within UK with current valid visa

If you’re applying from countries with currency restrictions: Plan fund transfers early. Some countries require government approval for large currency movements, which can delay applications.

Acceptable Evidence

Bank statements requirements:

• Personal bank statements covering 28 consecutive days
• Ending no more than 31 days before application
• Showing required funds consistently available
• From regulated financial institutions

What this means for you: Borrowed money or sudden large deposits don’t qualify. Funds must represent genuine savings or regular income.

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Maintain funds at required levels for 60+ days before application to demonstrate financial stability and avoid any questions about fund sources.

Family Member Rights and Privileges

Work Authorization

Family members on Skilled Worker dependent visas have broad work rights with specific restrictions.

Permitted work activities:

• Employment in any job (except professional sports)
• Self-employment and business creation
• Voluntary work
• Multiple simultaneous employments

Prohibited activities:

• Professional sports employment
• Work as a doctor or dentist in training (without additional approvals)

What this means for you: Your spouse can start working immediately upon arrival, providing dual income opportunities for family financial stability.

Study Rights

Family members can study at any educational level without restrictions.

Educational benefits:

• Primary and secondary education access
• University and college enrollment
• Professional training programs
• Adult education courses

If you’re applying from countries with limited educational opportunities: Research UK educational options early. Your children can access high-quality education immediately upon arrival.

Healthcare Access

Family members receive NHS healthcare access similar to UK residents.

Healthcare benefits:

• GP registration and primary care
• Hospital treatment
• Emergency services
• Mental health services
• Prescription medications (with standard NHS charges)

Real mistake we’ve seen: Families assuming private health insurance is mandatory. NHS access is included, though some families choose additional private coverage for enhanced services.

Travel Flexibility

Family members can travel freely in and out of the UK during their visa validity period.

Travel considerations:

• No restrictions on frequency or duration of trips
• Visa remains valid for multiple entries
• Must maintain UK residence intentions
• Long absences may affect future settlement applications

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Maintain UK residence evidence even during extended travel periods to support future visa extensions or settlement applications.

Compliance Obligations and Responsibilities

Reporting Requirements

Family members must report significant changes to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

Mandatory reporting within 28 days:

• Address changes
• Relationship status changes (marriage, divorce, separation)
• Changes in family composition
• Changes in main applicant’s circumstances

What this means for you: Administrative compliance is crucial. Failure to report changes can affect future visa applications and settlement eligibility.

Address Registration

Family members must register addresses with local authorities and maintain accurate records.

Registration requirements:

• Initial address registration upon arrival
• Updates within 28 days of moving
• Temporary address registration for extended stays
• Proper documentation of all address changes

Real mistake we’ve seen: Families forgetting to update addresses during multiple moves. Maintain detailed records of all UK addresses with supporting documentation.

Relationship Maintenance

Family members must maintain genuine relationships with the main applicant throughout the visa period.

Ongoing requirements:

• Continued cohabitation (where applicable)
• Genuine family relationships
• Shared responsibilities and decision-making
• Evidence of ongoing commitment

If you’re applying from countries where arranged marriages are common: Ensure you can demonstrate genuine relationship development and mutual commitment beyond initial arrangements.

Travel Documentation

Family members must maintain valid travel documents and comply with re-entry requirements.

Travel compliance:

• Valid passport throughout visa period
• Proper visa endorsements
• Biometric residence permit for re-entry
• Compliance with any travel restrictions

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Maintain detailed travel logs documenting all trips, including purposes and durations, to support future applications.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Relationship Evidence Challenges

Proving genuine relationships can be complex, especially for unmarried partners and families from different cultural backgrounds.

Common issues:

• Insufficient cohabitation evidence
• Language barriers in documentation
• Cultural differences in relationship documentation
• Long-distance relationship periods

Solutions:

• Comprehensive documentation portfolios
• Professional translation services
• Cultural context explanations
• Timeline narratives explaining relationship development

Financial Documentation Problems

Meeting maintenance fund requirements can be challenging for families with complex financial situations.

Typical problems:

• Funds spread across multiple accounts
• Currency fluctuations affecting calculations
• Joint account complications
• Income source documentation

Real mistake we’ve seen: Families combining funds from multiple sources without proper documentation. Each fund source needs clear evidence and explanation.

Timing Coordination Issues

Coordinating family applications with main applicant timelines requires careful planning.

Common timing challenges:

• School year considerations
• Employment start dates
• Visa expiry coordination
• Document validity periods

What this means for you: Start planning family applications early, considering all family member needs and UK settlement timelines.

Settlement Pathway for Family Members

Family members can apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) after five years of continuous UK residence on Skilled Worker dependent visas.

Settlement requirements:

• Five years continuous UK residence
• Ongoing relationship with main applicant
• English language proficiency
• Life in the UK test completion
• No serious criminal convictions

What this means for you: Your family can achieve permanent UK residence alongside your own settlement journey, creating long-term stability for everyone.

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Begin settlement preparation early by maintaining comprehensive records of UK residence, relationships, and compliance throughout the five-year period.