If you hold a Student visa, you may be able to have your family in the UK with you as your dependants.
If you hold a Student visa, you may be able to have your family in the UK with you as your dependants.
You can bring your family members to the UK as you study if:
- You are studying at a higher education provider with a track record of compliance
- You are studying full-time on a course 9 months or longer at Postgraduate level OR you are studying full-time on a course 6 months or longer and you are a government-sponsored student
- Your current or most recent immigration permission was as a Tier 4 (General)/Student visa holder
You (the student) must be over 18, and your family must be classified as dependants under UK immigration rules (spouse and/or children only).
When your dependant’s visa is granted, they will usually be granted permission to work without restrictions. Make sure you check the BRP carefully when it is collected for the working conditions and other conditions of leave.
Application process
Your dependants can apply at the same time as your Student application, or they can apply to join you in the UK once your Student visa has been granted. Your dependants must always make their first application in their home country (subsequent extensions can be made in the UK).
Each dependant must complete a separate application form, and pay a fee equivalent to £348 in local currency.
Applications are made online through the Access UK system.
Financial requirements
Each dependant must meet UKVI’s financial requirements under Student rules. The funds can be held by the dependant themselves or you (the student).
The living cost figure for each dependant for Royal Holloway is £845 (Inner London) per month of immigration permission the student has been granted/will be granted, up to a maximum of 9 months.
For example:
- if the student is applying for a 12 month MSc, each dependant must show £7,605 (£875 x 9 months)
- If your dependants are joining the student in the UK for the remaining 4 months of their PhD, each dependant must show £6,760 (£870 x 8 months when taking into account the 4-month wrap up leave period)
For further help and guidance, please visit UKCISA’s webpage on Dependants, or contact the International Student Support Office.
