UK Dependent Visa

UK Visa & Immigration recently updated its Guidance on Dependent Family Members in Work Routes. Excerpts from the updated Guidance are reproduced below. The Original Text is available from here...

EXCERPTS

Dependent family members in work routes (accessible)

Updated 11 April 2025

A Dependant cannot apply for a Shorter Permission

A dependant cannot request to be granted shorter permission than the rules state. For example, if a lead applicant has settled as a Skilled Worker and the dependant only needs 10 months to reach their 5 year settlement requirement they will have to apply for, and pay associated fees and charges, for 3 years permission.

Where a lead applicant qualifies to apply under the ‘Health and Care visa’, their application and those of their dependants will be subject to reduced visa fees and no Immigration Health Charge. In all other respects they should be assessed in line with a Skilled Worker consideration.

Settlement requirements

Only the following routes allow settlement applications for dependants:

• Skilled Worker

• T2 Minister of Religion

• International Sportsperson

• Representative of an Overseas Business

• UK Ancestry

• Global Talent

• Innovator Founder

• Scale-up

There is no requirement to pay the Immigration Health Charge.

Child settlement requirements

Dependent children are not subject to limits on absences.

Caseworkers should refer to the relevant guidance Appendix Children guidance