Bringing a partner or child to live in the UK is possible — but the rules change depending on the main visa route. This short guide helps you decide if your family can join, which evidence to gather, how to apply (or switch/extend), what it costs in 2026, and the common pitfalls to avoid.
ExpatsUK one‑minute check: are you married or in a civil partnership, or have you cohabited for 2+ years; is the child under 18 and financially dependent; and does the sponsor hold a visa that permits family members? If you answered yes to these, keep reading. If not, see the “when help is needed” note at the end.
What you’ll get: clear eligibility rules, document examples, a compact apply/switch/extend workflow, 2026 fee and IHS numbers, dependants’ work/study rights, top refusal traps — plus links to ExpatsUK downloadable templates and community support to simplify your application.
Who counts as a dependant? Plain language eligibility
Dependants normally mean a partner (spouse, civil partner or an unmarried partner with 2+ years’ cohabitation) and dependent children (under 18 when applying). The relationship must be genuine and subsisting — not a marriage of convenience or a child living an independent life.
Quick self‑assessment (no formal checklist)
If you have a marriage or civil partnership certificate, you almost always meet the relationship test. If you are unmarried, ask: can you show two or more years of living together through official records (shared tenancy, joint bank account, council tax)? For children, ask: is the child under 18, not married, and financially dependent on the sponsor?
For spouse-specific step-by-step application guidance see the UK Spouse Visa Application: 2026 Step-by-Step Guide which covers eligibility, documents and the online form process.
Evidence that commonly works
Useful proofs for partners and cohabitation include joint tenancy/mortgage paperwork, bank statements showing the same address, council tax letters, utility bills and official correspondence (HMRC, NHS). For children use full birth certificates, school or medical letters and evidence the child lives with and is supported by the sponsor.
Tricky scenarios — long‑distance relationships, overseas same‑sex marriages, adoptions — are manageable but usually need extra proof: travel records, regular communication logs, legal adoption papers and explanatory statements. Adult dependent relative routes exist but are far stricter and require medical and care evidence.
Which visa routes let partners & children join — and how rules differ
Many work and specialist routes allow family members to join: Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator, British Ancestry Visa: Eligibility, Docs & How to Apply and most other skilled/work visas. The Student route is more limited: only some postgraduate research, PhD, and government‑sponsored students may bring dependants. Health & Care, Global Talent and Skilled Worker routes generally give full rights to dependants, but care‑worker policy changes since 2024 introduced new limits for certain care roles.
Practical differences to note: whether dependants can apply from inside the UK, whether they can later switch routes, and what rights they receive. For example, dependants of Skilled Worker and Global Talent holders can usually switch inside the UK; many student dependants cannot switch and face work hour limits. Always check the main holder’s visa category and the BRP/vignette for conditions — that determines which rules apply.
If you prefer a visual approach, ExpatsUK provides a downloadable flowchart that maps common visa routes to family eligibility so you can see at a glance which rules apply to your situation.
Paperwork you must collect — documents, translations and financial evidence
Good paperwork prevents delays. Collect identity and relationship proofs, financial evidence, and accommodation documents before you start the online form.
Identity & relationship documents
Passports for all applicants; marriage or civil partnership certificates; full birth certificates for children; adoption papers where applicable. For unmarried partners gather evidence of 2+ years’ cohabitation: joint bank statements, utility bills, council tax, tenancy agreements. Where cohabitation has been impossible, add travel records, boarding passes, screenshots of regular communications and a short personal statement explaining the circumstances.
Financial / maintenance evidence
The sponsor will need to show they can maintain dependants without recourse to public funds. Typical evidence includes employer payslips, a Certificate of Sponsorship or employer letter (for work routes), and recent 28‑day bank statements. If you rely on savings, prepare dated bank statements that meet the maintenance calculation rules and show sources of funds.
Translations, scans and a sponsor letter
Translate any non‑English documents using an accredited translator and include a signed translation declaration. Keep clear scanned copies and label files before upload (e.g., “Smith_Passport_Page_2026”). Draft a short sponsor letter that states the relationship, accommodation details and how the sponsor will support the dependant. Visa officers want clarity and dated evidence — not long essays.
Child specifics: a short proof pack that shows the child is under 18, unmarried, living with the sponsor and financially dependent will usually do. For 16–17 year olds add school or college letters to show they’re not leading an independent life.
How to apply, switch or extend — practical step‑by‑step workflow
- Decide where to apply. Applications from overseas follow slightly different forms and processing times than switching inside the UK. Confirm your main visa category allows dependants and whether dependants can switch from their current status.
- Complete the online application and pay fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). The IHS is usually paid at application; keep the receipt for biometrics and uploads.
- Book biometrics. Some countries use digital upload; others require an in‑person biometric appointment. Use the family linking code or follow the route’s linking process so the officer can see connections between applications.
- Submit documents and await a decision. If UKVI asks for more information, respond quickly and with the requested format. On approval the dependant will receive either a vignette (for entry) or a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) collection letter.
- For extensions or switching: provide continuity evidence (updated relationship proofs and finances) and keep records that feed into future ILR timelines. For route-specific ILR details see theAncestry Visa UK — Guide: Eligibility, Docs & ILRwhich explains timelines and common ILR questions.
Processing times vary by country and route. Outside the UK, family applications are often decided within a few weeks; inside the UK standard decisions commonly take longer. Priority services exist for a fee — check the country service page on GOV.UK.
Tip: use ExpatsUK’s downloadable application checklist and sample sponsor letter to label uploads the way visa officers expect.
Fees, IHS and processing times (2026 reference figures)
Fees change — always double‑check GOV.UK — but these 2026 reference figures help with budgeting.
| Fee type | Reference amount (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Family visa (apply from outside) | £1,938 | Per person; route/duration dependent |
| Family visa (apply inside UK) | £1,321 | Per person; extendable |
| Skilled Worker dependant (examples) | £769 (≤3 years) / £1,519 (>3 years) | Matches main applicant duration |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | £1,035 per adult / £776 per child per year | Paid upfront for length of visa (exceptions apply, e.g., Health & Care) |
Remember to add biometric and priority service charges where applicable. If an employer issues a Certificate of Sponsorship that includes maintenance, that can remove the need to show separate funds — get that in writing and upload it with the application. For a deeper breakdown of partner‑related costs, including hidden extras, see our Spouse Visa UK Cost: Hidden Fees & Real Totals.
Work & study rights, top refusal traps and when to get help
Rights: dependants on most work and talent routes can work and study without needing a separate permission. Student dependants are more limited: only those with main students on eligible postgraduate research/PhD or government‑sponsored courses can bring family and then face working‑hour limits.
Top refusal traps — and how to avoid them:
Weak relationship evidence (unmarried partners). Provide multiple, overlapping documents covering the full two‑year period — tenancy, joint bills, bank statements and photos/travel records.
Insufficient or incorrectly formatted financial proof. Use 28‑day bank statements, show sources of funds, and include employer letters or a valid Certificate of Sponsorship.
Bad or missing translations and uncertified documents. Use accredited translators and include a signed translation declaration.
Route mismatch or failure to meet route‑specific conditions. Check the main holder’s visa category and the BRP/vignette for limits before you apply.
Previous immigration problems or nondisclosure. Always disclose past refusals or convictions and, where complex, get specialist advice.
When to consult a solicitor: sole parental responsibility disputes, custody conflicts, adult dependent relative cases, prior refusals or criminal records, and any borderline case where you need representation. Expect specialist advice to take a few days to several weeks depending on complexity and to cost accordingly — but early advice can save months of delay and expense later.
Summary and next steps
Two practical takeaways: first, confirm the sponsor’s visa category and that it permits family members to join. Second, assemble clear, dated evidence before you start the online form — relationship papers, 28‑day bank statements, and accommodation proof are the common blockers.
Download ExpatsUK’s dependant application checklist and sample sponsor letter to organise your folder before you apply. If you’re still unsure whether your family can join, check our Can my partner and children come with me? FAQ for quick clarifications. When you’re ready, share questions or experiences on ExpatsUK’s community boards to swap tips with other families — they’re coming soon and will be a great place to learn from real cases.