Do you want to bring your family to live with you in the UK in 2026? Many people find the rules hard to understand. The UK Home Office has changed things. Now everything is digital, and money rules are different. This guide explains the UK Dependent Visa Requirements 2026 in simple words. We will help you step by step so your family can join you easily. No need to worry about rejection if you follow the rules.
Who is the Lead Applicant? Understanding Eligibility
The lead applicant is the main person in the family who has (or is applying for) a UK visa. This person holds the primary visa. Examples are Skilled Worker Visa, Student Visa, or Health and Care Worker Visa.
You must know who the lead applicant is before you start. The dependent (your family member) applies based on this person’s visa. If the lead applicant has a good visa, it is easier for family to come.
Core Eligibility Keywords for 2026
To get a dependent visa, you need to show your relationship is real and still going on. The Home Office calls this “genuine and subsisting.”
Here are the people who can usually apply as dependents:
- Spouse or Civil Partner This means your husband, wife, or civil partner. You must have a legal marriage or civil partnership.
- Unmarried Partner You can apply if you live together like a married couple for at least two years. You need to prove this with documents like bills, rent agreements, or letters showing you share a home.
- Dependent Child Children under 18 years old can come as dependents. If the child is over 18, they may still qualify only if they are already in the UK as a dependent and do not live an independent life (for example, they still depend on parents for money and home).
You must prove these relationships with strong evidence. The Home Office checks carefully to make sure everything is true.
Financial Requirements: The “Maintenance Funds” Rule
The UK government wants to be sure you can take care of your family. You must show you have enough money. Your family should not need public funds like benefits or Universal Credit.
Key Maintenance Thresholds
For most visa types, you need to show money in a bank account. This money must stay in the account for at least 28 days in a row.
Here are the amounts you need:
- For your partner (spouse or unmarried partner): £285
- For the first child: £315
- For each extra child: £200
For example, if you bring a wife and two children, you need £285 + £315 + £200 = £800 in your bank. You must show bank statements for the last 28 days or more. The money must be yours or your partner’s.
Important Note If the lead applicant works for an “A-rated” sponsor (a good employer), the employer can say on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) that they will take care of maintenance. In this case, you do not need to show your own bank money. This makes things much easier for many families.
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
Everyone who applies for a dependent visa must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This fee lets your family use the NHS (National Health Service) doctors and hospitals.
In 2026, this fee is still required. You pay it for the full time of the visa when you apply. It is not cheap, so plan your budget. You pay this online during the application.
After paying IHS, your family can get most NHS treatment without extra payment, just like people who live in the UK.
Specific Visa Routes & 2026 Restrictions
The rules for dependents are not the same for every visa. It depends on the lead applicant’s visa type.
Skilled Worker Dependent
This is good for families of skilled workers. If the lead applicant has a Skilled Worker Visa, dependents can come easily.
Dependents get full rights to work in the UK. They can take any job they want. After five years, they can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which means they can stay forever.
Student Dependent Visa
In 2026, rules for students are very strict. Most students cannot bring family. Only students in these courses can bring dependents:
- PhD programs
- Other postgraduate research courses
Undergraduate students (like bachelor’s degree) usually cannot bring wife, husband, or children. This rule started a few years ago and still applies in 2026.
Graduate Route Dependent
The Graduate Route is also called Post-Study Work visa. If you finish studies and stay on this visa, you can only bring dependents if they were already in the UK with you during your student time.
New dependents cannot join you on the Graduate visa. This is a big restriction.
The Paper Trail: Documentation & Compliance
The UK now uses a digital system. In 2026, most people do not get a plastic Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card. Instead, you get an eVisa in your UKVI online account.
You manage everything online, like checking your status or proving your right to stay.
Here are important documents and steps:
- TB Test Certificate If you apply from a country on the high-risk list for tuberculosis, you need a TB test from an approved clinic.
- Biometrics You give fingerprints and photo at a VFS Global or TLScontact center. These are the official places outside the UK.
- English Language Requirement For the first dependent visa, you usually do not need to show English. But later, when you apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), English test is needed.
Collect all papers carefully. Wrong or missing documents cause rejection.
Step-by-Step Application Guide
Follow these simple steps to apply:
- Verify Eligibility Check the lead applicant’s visa type, expiry date, and money situation. Make sure everything matches the rules.
- Gather Evidence Get marriage certificate, birth certificates for children, proof of two years living together (if unmarried), bank statements, and other papers.
- Pay the Fees Fill the online form on the GOV.UK website. Pay the visa application fee and the IHS surcharge at the same time.
- Biometrics Appointment Book and go to VFS Global or TLScontact. Give your fingerprints and photo.
- Digital Status Wait for the decision. If approved, you get an email. Link your visa to your UKVI account for the eVisa.
Be patient. Processing can take some weeks or months.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I work on a UK Dependent Visa?
Yes, most dependents can work any job in the UK. There are small limits, like you cannot work as a professional sports person or as a doctor/dentist in training in some cases.
How long does the visa last?
The dependent visa usually ends on the same date as the lead applicant’s visa.
Can I access the NHS for free?
Yes, after you pay the IHS, you can use most NHS services without paying extra fees.
Need Personalized Help?
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Disclaimer: This article gives basic information only. It is not legal advice. Always check the latest rules on the official GOV.UK website before you apply. Rules can change, so use trusted sources.