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How to apply for a UK dependent visa for study and accompanying children (202210QA)?

Generally, the UK dependent visa is primarily for spouses (partners) and children. There is no dependent visa available for parents of students over the age of 12. In other words, if the child is over 12 years old, the parents cannot apply for a dependent visa. For dependent visas for children under 12, they must be enrolled in a private day school, and this type of visa does not allow work, study, or switching to other visa types.

International students studying in the UK can apply for a dependent visa if they have an unmarried partner or spouse, or if they have children and meet the requirements.

Who can apply for a UK dependent visa?

1. The student must fall into one of the following categories:
        (1) Full-time student enrolled in a postgraduate-level course (RQF level 7      or above) with a duration of at least 9 months or longer.
        Note: Undergraduate students are not eligible to apply for a UK dependent      visa.

(2) Full-time student enrolled in a course sponsored by the government or a higher education institution with a duration of 6 months or more.

(3) Student enrolled in a doctorate extension scheme.

(4) Student who has been granted permission to study a full-time course in the UK for six months or longer, either currently studying or applying for a course of six months or more: The applicant's spouse or children have been dependent on the student throughout this period. If the child was born after the last student visa was granted and the child is applying together with the student or the dependent spouse.

(5) Student whose child was born within the time specified in Appendix Student ST31.2 and the child is dependent on them in the UK.

 

2. Your partner or child:
        (1) Your partner can be your married spouse, civil partner, unmarried      girlfriend, boyfriend, or same-sex partner. You will need to provide      evidence of your marriage or civil partnership with your partner.

Note: If you are in an unmarried partnership, you can provide evidence of cohabitation for at least two years. Evidence of a partnership can include, but is not limited to:

• Proof of living at the same address

• Bank statements, council tax, or utility bills

• Residential mortgage statements or rental agreements

• Communication records between the two individuals, such as       text messages, emails, social media interactions, call logs, or shared       documents

• Evidence of activities as a couple, such as travel records,       intimate photographs, flight and hotel bookings, food delivery receipts,       shared living expenses, WeChat Moments, Weibo, or other interactions

• Relationship statements and invitation letters

• Any other evidence that can prove the genuine cohabitation       relationship

Note: Unmarried partners must have lived together for at least two years to be eligible to apply. Living separately as unmarried partners is not acceptable. Additionally, married couples who have already obtained a marriage certificate also need to provide sufficient evidence of cohabitation. In special circumstances, additional supporting documents may be required.

Note: All Chinese documents need to be translated into English by an officially recognized institution. If you are writing your own statement about your relationship, you can write it in English and include supporting visuals, if available.

(2) Children generally refer to those under 18 years of age or the dependent children of your partner. You will need to provide the child's birth certificate, such as a full birth certificate, court order (e.g., special guardianship order), or government-issued residency document.

If your child is 16 or 17 years old at the time of application, you need to demonstrate that they are not leading an independent life, such as being married or having a civil partnership.

Note: Regarding the age requirement, if you meet the criteria, it is possible to apply even if the child is over 18. However, each family's situation is different, so it is advisable to consult official channels and seek guidance based on the specific circumstances at the time of application.

 

Regarding the cost of a dependent visa, it is similar to a student visa. In addition to the visa fee and healthcare surcharge, you need to prove that your partner or child has sufficient funds for living expenses. The required funds may vary each year, so it is recommended to refer to the official website. For example, if you are studying in London in October 2022, the monthly requirement is £845 (for at least 9 months), while outside London it is £680 per month (for at least 9 months). They must have held this amount continuously for at least 28 days, and the end date of the 28-day period must be within 31 days of their visa application date.

However, if your partner or child already holds a valid visa in the UK for at least 12 months, they do not need to prove the availability of these funds.

Note: Each uploaded document should ideally be kept within 5MB in size, as there is a file upload limit of 5MB per document. These documents can be uploaded anytime before visiting the visa center.

Note: Even if you are already studying in the UK and later want your partner or child to join you, you can apply for a dependent visa at that time. However, you need to consider the validity of your own visa. If your visa is close to expiration, it may not be possible unless there are special circumstances. The specific eligibility depends on your visa type. For example, if your student visa still has four to five months remaining, you can apply.

Note: Dependent visas can generally be applied for with work-related visas. The term "dependent visa" is commonly used, but it is officially referred to as a "Dependant visa."

Note: The validity period of a dependent visa is the same as that of the student's visa.

Note: Children and partners can apply for dependent visas simultaneously or separately.

Note: Full-time students are exempt from paying council tax, so dependents holding a dependent visa do not need to pay either.

Note: Dependent visas in the UK allow for applying for visas to travel to other countries, opening bank accounts in the UK, and have similar benefits as the student visa. These include converting to a Graduate visa together with the student visa holder, applying for extensions, and being able to study full-time or part-time, among other things.

Note: Depending on the specific circumstances, a dependent visa in the UK can be transferred to other visas, such as finding alternative employment.

Note: Holders of dependent visas in the UK are allowed to work legally. Remember to apply for a National Insurance Number (NIN). There are guidelines mentioned earlier.

Application Steps:

1. Prepare the valid passports of both parties, the student visa      or admission letter of the student, and other required documents. (It is      recommended to have a pen or remember your registered email and password.      Also, avoid spending too much time on each page to prevent freezing or      returning to the homepage.)

2. Log in to the official website (gov.uk), search for your visa      type, and follow the instructions under the "partner and      children" section. The system will ask you a few questions (such as      your location in the UK, possession of a European passport, and      confirmation of visa type). After answering, you will enter the specific      application page and click "apply now" to proceed. (Note: Be      careful not to select the wrong option, as there are separate application      processes for applying inside or outside the UK.)

Note: The dependent visa for a partner is referred to as the Partner Dependant visa - PBS, and the dependent visa for a child is referred to as the Child Dependant visa - PBS.

 

【3】Fill in the required information according to the steps on the webpage, make the payment, and then book an appointment at the visa center. (Remember to download and print the checklist in advance, and carefully review it. Once submitted, you cannot make changes if you made a mistake. If you made a mistake in important information, you will need to resubmit the application and make a new appointment.)

【4】The process of submitting the application at the visa center is the same. Bring your passport, application form, appointment confirmation, and checklist. Upon arrival, take a number and proceed with fingerprinting and photographing. The time it takes to receive the visa is similar. During peak periods, it may take longer, but under normal circumstances, it usually takes a few days.

Note: Remember to check your email frequently because if there are any additional requirements or questions, the official authorities will send an email. Make sure to verify the sender's email address first. If you are unsure, you can proactively contact the authorities by phone or email to confirm and clarify any doubts.