Did you know UKVI now treats dependant eligibility as a route-by-route rule, not a general “family can join” option? The UK Dependent Visa New Rules matter most for Appendix FM partner visas, Student visa family members, and Health and Care Worker sponsorship, with key cut-off dates set by the Home Office. Students planning a UK degree in 2026 need clarity on what changed in 2024, what stayed in place through 2025, and what has updated again in 2026.
This guide is written for current and future students, graduates, and working professionals who want a realistic family plan. You will get route-specific eligibility, evidence checklists, cost planning with the Immigration Health Surcharge, and a step-by-step application flow. You will also see where policy is still in consultation, so you do not plan your family timeline on rumours or social posts.
Understanding the UK Dependent Visa: Types and Eligibility
A UK dependant is a close family member linked to a main visa holder’s permission. UKVI checks the relationship, dependency, and route rules before it grants entry clearance or permission to stay.
Definition of "Dependant"
A UK dependent is a family member of a primary visa holder. Eligible dependents include:
- Spouses or partners: Legally married partners, civil partners, or unmarried partners in a genuine relationship lasting ≥2 years.
- Children under 18: Biological or adopted children living with the sponsor (route rules apply).
- Adult relatives: Only if they are entirely financially dependent on the main visa holder (rare and case-specific).
Key question: Wondering who counts as a dependent? If your family member does not fit these categories, they may need a separate visa route.
Detailed Analysis of New Rules for Dependent Visa in UK
The UK tightened dependent permissions across family, work, and study routes. The main audience in 2026 is students and graduates who want a predictable plan for a spouse or children, without wasting fees on an ineligible route.
Key Changes for 2026
Family Visa Income Hike
- Minimum income is commonly set at £29,000/year for partner routes, tied to the UK’s family rules under Appendix FM.
- Exception: sponsors on eligible disability or carer benefits can use the “adequate maintenance” approach described in official guidance.
Work Visa Dependants Ban
- Care worker dependant limits started on 11 March 2024 and still shape 2026 planning. Transitional protection can apply to some people already on the route before the cut-off.
Student Visa Restrictions
- Student dependents are restricted to many course types. UKVI sets out who can bring a partner or child under the Student route and who cannot, and it helps to review recent student visa trends before you plan.
Table: Visa Types Allowing Dependants in 2026
Confused about which visas permit dependents? This table clarifies eligibility and restrictions:
|
Visa Type
|
Dependant Eligibility
|
Special Restrictions
|
|
Skilled Worker
|
Spouse/children under 18
|
English level rules updated for some routes in 2026
|
|
Health & Care Worker
|
Only in protected cases for many care roles
|
Care worker cut-off 11 Mar 2024; transitional protection rules
|
|
Student (Postgraduate)
|
PhD/research students or eligible sponsored students
|
Many taught courses no longer allow dependents
|
|
Ancestry Visa
|
Allowed
|
Route rules apply
|
|
Global Talent
|
Allowed
|
Route rules apply
|
For extra help with planning and submitting your dependent visa case, consider checking professional visa support services, which can guide complex document and route questions.
In-Depth: Family Visa Rules Under Appendix FM
Appendix FM is the core framework used by UKVI for partner and family reunion visas. It drives the income requirement, relationship evidence, and the standard settlement pathway.
The 5-Year Settlement Pathway
To qualify for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), many partner applicants follow a five-year route:
- Enter the UK on a partner/family visa.
- Extend after 2.5 years.
- Apply for ILR after 5 years of continuous residence on the partner route.
Note: time spent on other routes (example: Student permission) usually does not count toward the partner five-year route.
Financial Proof: Meeting the £29,000 Threshold
UKVI accepts different categories of evidence. The goal is one clean story with documents that match the category.
Employment
- 6–12 months of payslips and matching bank statements.
- Employer letter confirming job, pay, and contract.
- Bonuses and commissions can count when they show a stable pattern.
Savings
- A commonly used savings-only benchmark discussed in guidance-style explanations is £88,500 held for 6 months for many new cases. Use official rules and category checks before relying on savings alone, and make sure your evidence matches the bank statement format UKVI accepts.
Combined Sources
- Example method: income plus savings to cover a shortfall.
- Keep a one-page calculation sheet with your evidence pack.
Exception: adequate maintenance
Sponsors on qualifying benefits use adequate maintenance evidence rather than a fixed £29,000 number, as described in GOV.UK family visa guidance.
Relationship Evidence: Proving a "Genuine" Bond
Avoid refusals with:
Mandatory Documents
- Marriage/civil partnership certificate.
- Proof of 2+ years of cohabitation for unmarried partners:
- joint bank statements or utility bills
- council tax records
- rental agreements
Extra Proof (if not living together)
- call logs, travel tickets, or photos showing visits
- evidence of shared childcare or shared costs
Note: If you have a prior refusal, review what to do after a refusal before you submit.
Accommodation Rules: Avoiding "Overcrowding"
Your UK address must be suitable for the family size. Many applicants support this with:
- tenancy agreement or mortgage statement
- property inspection report if used
- Council evidence if requested
Document Checklist for Appendix FM Applications
Financial Proof
- payslips + employer letter
- bank statements
- savings statements if used
Relationship Proof
- marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate
- 2 years cohabitation evidence for unmarried partners
- supporting travel or communication evidence if needed
Accommodation Proof
- tenancy agreement or mortgage statement
- inspection report if used
Extra
- TB test results for applicants from relevant countries
- English test evidence for the stage you are applying under route rules
2026 Policy Watch: Settlement reform in consultation
The UK Government opened an earned settlement consultation in late 2025, which feeds into 2026 planning for people aiming for ILR. Treat settlement timing as change-prone and track official updates.
Work Visa Dependants: New Restrictions for 2026
Work routes often allow dependants, yet care work remains the toughest area for family plans.
Care worker dependent restriction: what it means in 2026
From 11 March 2024, new care workers and senior care workers sponsored after the cut-off cannot bring a partner or child in many cases. People already on the route before the cut-off may keep dependent options under transitional protection rules.
If you fall under transitional protection, UKVI can still check:
- the sponsor relationship
- the role history
- whether the new sponsorship still fits the protected conditions
Skilled Worker route planning for students
For many students in 2026, the family plan is: study first, then move to a sponsored job that allows dependents. That means your post-study plan needs three checks:
- route eligibility
- salary and sponsor compliance
- English requirement level for the work route you plan to use
Student Visa Dependants: Exceptions and Strategies
UKVI sets Student dependant rules by course type and sponsorship type. This section is the key for current students planning 2026 intake and beyond.
Who can still bring dependents on a Student visa
Under current rules, dependants are mainly possible for:
- PhD or research-based postgraduate routes
- government-sponsored students who meet the specified conditions
What the 2024–2025 data trend means for 2026 students
You can use 2024 and 2025 statistics as context in your decision, since the restriction dates began in 2024 and shaped volumes through 2025. When you use volume drops, tie them to official announcements and route changes, not to a single number without a source.
Strategy for families who want to reunite in the UK
A practical student-to-work plan often looks like this:
- Choose a course with a clear post-study job pipeline.
- Build a CV for sponsorship roles early.
- Plan for a work route that permits dependants once you move off the Student route.
This is the point where student consultancy support matters: many families lose time by choosing a course first, then asking about dependent eligibility later.
Eligible courses comparison
|
Course Type
|
Dependant Eligibility
|
Proof Required
|
|
PhD/Research programs
|
Yes
|
University confirmation letter
|
|
Government scholarships
|
Yes
|
Sponsorship confirmation
|
|
Bachelor’s/Master’s (taught)
|
No for many cases
|
N/A
|
Financial Requirements
Financial rules vary by route. Partner visas focus on Appendix FM categories. Student dependants focus on maintenance and route eligibility. Work dependants tie to sponsor and route rules.
Financial Requirements: Calculations and Evidence
Meeting the UK’s financial requirements for dependent visas involves three main options: employment income, cash savings, or a combination.
1. The £29,000 Income Threshold
You can usually prove income from:
- employment: payslips, bank statements, employer letter
- self-employment: SA302 and accounts for two tax years
- other eligible income sources with matching evidence
For applicants who had earlier route history, transitional rules may apply. Use the family visa guidance as the anchor for your category.
2. Cash Savings Option
Savings can support an application when held in an acceptable form for the required period. Many guidance examples still use:
- £88,500 held for 6 months for many new cases
Use a clear bank trail with the lowest balance point visible.
3. Combining Income and Savings
A combined approach helps when income falls short. Keep a one-page calculation sheet that matches your bank statements and payslips.
Evidence Checklist
|
Source
|
Proof Required
|
Duration
|
|
Employment
|
Payslips, bank statements, employer letter
|
6–12 months
|
|
Self-Employment
|
SA302, business accounts
|
2 years
|
|
Savings
|
Bank statements
|
6+ months
|
|
Pensions/Investments
|
Statements and proof of ownership
|
6–12 months
|
Key Exemptions
Benefit recipients can use adequate maintenance evidence under family visa guidance.
English Language & Future Compliance Changes
English rules now have a firm 2026 update plus longer-term settlement consultation themes.
Current Rules
English level varies by route and stage. GOV.UK publishes a route-by-route English language level guide tied to CEFR levels. Use it to match your route and application type (entry clearance or permission to stay), and confirm your UKVI-approved English test options early.
2026 update: B2 English for key work routes
From 8 January 2026, first-time applicants under the Skilled Worker, Scale-up, and High Potential Individual routes need CEFR B2 in the areas listed in guidance. This is a higher level than earlier B1 expectations used in many older blog posts.
Settlement planning: earned settlement consultation
The Government consultation on earned settlement was published in late 2025 and shapes how 2026 applicants think about long-term timelines. Treat this as a planning factor, not a final rule set.
Action Steps for Applicants
- Choose the correct English test type and level for your exact route.
- Keep certificate dates valid at filing time.
- Build a two-stage plan if you intend to switch from Student to a work route that now asks for B2, and map how you could switch from dependant status to a work route later.
Application Process
Applying for a UK Dependent Visa in 2026 follows a similar structure across routes. The key is route fit first, document pack second.
Application Process: Step-by-Step Guidance
1. Online Application
Fees vary by route and location. Most applicants also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. (If you are applying from Bangladesh, check the approved banks for UK visa payments before you arrange your funds.)
The official IHS rates shown on GOV.UK include:
- £1,035 per year for most applicants
- £776 per year for students, their dependants, and applicants under 18
2. Biometrics Appointment
Applicants book biometrics at UKVCAS in the UK or a Visa Application Centre outside the UK. Bring passports and the booking confirmation.
3. Processing Timeline
Processing times differ by route, country, and service level. Use official service pages when you plan travel dates, and understand the consequences of withdrawing a visa application if your plans change mid-process.
4. Post-Approval Steps
Many applicants now use an eVisa system linked to the passport. Save decision emails and keep copies of uploaded documents, and understand the biometric residence permit basics if your case involves legacy BRP steps.
Pro Tip: Link dependent applications to the main applicant using the method shown in the online system, so UKVI can assess the family group together.
Future Outlook: Policy Trends and Preparations
Policy can change fast in this space. Students planning 2026 intake and beyond need a plan that stays valid even when one rule shifts.
Key Upcoming Shifts
- Settlement reform remains under consultation through the earned settlement process.
- English rules already moved for key work routes in January 2026, so older posts can mislead new applicants.
Strategic Advice
- Pick the main route first, then build your dependent plan.
- Keep documents consistent with one category method.
- Track official GOV.UK updates each time you plan an extension or switch, since small rule changes can change eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum income for a spouse visa in 2026?
Many partner route applications reference a minimum income requirement of £29,000 per year under the family visa framework. Use GOV.UK guidance for the evidence category that matches your situation.
Can care workers bring dependents to the UK?
Care worker dependant limits took effect from 11 March 2024 for many new care worker sponsorship cases. Transitional protection can apply for some people already on the route before the cut-off.
Which students can bring family members?
UKVI limits Student dependants mainly to certain research-based postgraduate routes and eligible government-sponsored students. Check the Student visa family members page for the current rule wording.
Is A1 English enough for dependents?
English level depends on the route and stage. Use the GOV.UK English language requirement levels guide to match your exact application.
How old can dependent children be?
The Student visa dependant page notes that dependants must apply before turning 18 if they want to stay as dependents. Route rules can vary across categories, so check the route page that fits your main visa.
Will the 10-year ILR rule apply retrospectively?
Settlement reform is in consultation under the earned settlement process. The final implementation detail can change, so treat long settlement timelines as a planning topic and track official updates.
What is the Immigration Health Surcharge in 2026?
GOV.UK lists £1,035 per year for most applicants and £776 per year for students, student dependants, and applicants under 18.
Conclusion: Key Takeaways for Families
UKVI dependant planning now starts with route choice and cut-off dates, then moves to a clean evidence pack under Appendix FM, the Student visa family rules, or sponsored work route requirements. Students in 2026 get better outcomes when they confirm dependant eligibility before choosing a course and build a post-study work plan that fits sponsorship and English rules.
Use the checklists in this guide to organise documents, budget for Immigration Health Surcharge costs, and plan a realistic timeline for extensions or route switches. If one part of your case is complex, income category, sponsor history, or transitional protection, get regulated advice before you submit. Your next step can be simple: pick the route, match the rules, then apply with confidence under the UK Dependent Visa New Rules.