Your family

The following people can come into the UK as your dependants:

• Your husband or wife (age 18 or over)
• Your civil partner, same-sex partner, or unmarried partner (age 18 or over). Please check UKCISA  Guidance for the UK definitions of these terms
• Your children (age under 18)

Child dependants if only one parent is applying to be in the UK

The immigration rules state that both parents must be legally present in the UK. The only exceptions listed by the UKVI are:

1. That the other parent is deseased or
2. That you have and have had  sole responsibility for the child's upbringing or
3. There are serious or compelling family or other reasons which would make it desirable not to refuse the application and suitable arrangements have been made in the  UK for the child’s care

You will need to provide supporting evidence that you meet one of the above criteria. 

If you need advice on documents to provide please contact IST. 

Whether your family can work in the UK depends on your course and your visa. In general, if your course is at degree level or higher and your visa is granted for 12 months or longer, your family should be given permission to work in the UK.

The only circumstance in which you will be able to work in the UK if the main applicant’s course is below degree level and less than 12 months is if the main applicant is a Government sponsored student.

In addition to the documents you submit for your own visa application,  you will need to submit further documents for each dependant. The UKVI are very strict about the documents they will accept as evidence. If your documents do not meet the UKVI requirements exactly, the application will be refused. It is very important that you check your documents carefully. 

We have listed the main types of document you will need. You will need to submit the following original documents for each dependant:

• Proof that you have the amount of money  required by UKVI for their maintenance
• 2 passport-sized photographs, which must meet the UKVI photo guidance
• Current passport
• Any other passports or visas that they have used to come to the UK in the past
• Proof that they are your dependant  - for example, marriage certificate for your husband or wife, birth certificate for children
• Translation of any documents that are not in English (see translation requirements)
• If your children are 16 or over, you will need extra evidence, please see  paragraph 119:

 UKVI PBS Dependants policy guidance

• All documents must be originals

Before applying you should always read the UKVI PBS Dependants policy guidance for detailed information.

To be considered 'low risk', you must already be in the UK or applying for a Student Route visa in your home country.

If you are from a low risk country you are not required to submit some of your documents with your application. You will still need to have your documents available because UKVI can request them from you at any point during the application process.  The IST will not provide you with a CAS until you have demonstrated that you have these documents available to you.

If you have an in person appointment with the UKVI you must take all your orginal documents with you.

Please check below if you are from a 'low risk' country:

Low risk country list