Skilled Worker Dependant Visa 2025: A Simple Guide for Families Moving to the UK

Are you planning to join your partner or parent in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa? Then this blog is for you.

The Skilled Worker dependant visa lets family members of someone working in the UK under a Skilled Worker visa join them and live together in the UK. But as of 22 July 2025, the rules have changed. If you’re applying now or soon, here’s what you really need to know.

What Is a Skilled Worker Dependant Visa?

This visa is for close family members of someone who has a Skilled Worker visa in the UK. You could be their:

• Spouse or civil partner
• Unmarried partner (if you’ve lived together for at least 2 years)
• Child under 18
• Child over 18 if you’re already in the UK and still financially dependent on the Skilled Worker

This visa gives you permission to live, study, and even work in the UK, as long as the main Skilled Worker visa holder still has valid status.

Major Rule Change: Who Can Bring Family?

As of 22 July 2025, only Skilled Workers in roles at RQF level 6 or above (like managers, engineers, doctors, etc.) can bring dependants. So if your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) was issued after this date and you’re in a lower-skilled job, including Care Workers and Senior Care Workers, unfortunately, you won’t be able to bring family with you anymore.

However, if you were granted a Skilled Worker visa before this date and have kept it without breaks, your family may still join you, even if your role is lower-skilled.

Who Counts as a Dependant?

Let’s break it down:

Dependant Partner

You must be:

• Legally married or in a civil partnership, or
• Living together in a serious relationship for at least 2 years

Dependant Child

If under 18, it’s pretty straightforward.

But if 16 or older, they’ll need to prove they:

• Live with you (except if they’re at school or university)
• Are single and child-free
• Are still financially supported by you

Requirements for the Skilled Worker Dependant Visa

Before applying, you must meet these key conditions:

• You meet the relationship requirements
• You’ll live with your sponsor in the UK
• Your sponsor still has time left on their visa
• You won’t rely on public funds
• You have proof of accommodation and financial support

Financial Requirements

You must show you can support yourself. Here’s how much you’ll need in savings:

• £285 for a partner
• £315 for one child
• £200 for each extra child

For example, if you’re bringing a partner and two kids, you need: £285 + £315 + £200 = £800 in addition to the £1,270 your sponsor needs for themselves.

If you’ve all been living in the UK for over a year, you might not need to show this.

Also, some employers may cover these costs, this must be noted on the Certificate of Sponsorship.

How to Apply for a Skilled Worker Dependant Visa

If You’re Outside the UK:

1. Fill out the online application form (one per family member)
2. Link each application with the Skilled Worker’s GWF or UAN number
3. Pay the visa fee and immigration healthcare surcharge
4. Book and attend a biometric appointment
5. Wait for a decision (usually within 3 weeks)

If You’re Inside the UK:

1. Apply online to switch or extend your visa as a dependant
2. Include the main visa holder’s GWF or UAN
3. Pay fees and healthcare surcharge
4. Book and attend a biometric appointment (if asked)
5. Wait up to 8 weeks for a decision

Need it faster? Use the priority service for a decision in 5 days (£500), or super-priority for 1 day (£1000).

What You Can and Can’t Do

If granted the Skilled Worker dependant visa, here’s what you’re allowed to do:

• Work in almost any job
• Study
• Use the NHS (National Health Service)
• You cannot access public funds (like benefits)

Can Skilled Worker Dependants Apply for ILR?

Yes! After 5 continuous years in the UK, dependants can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)—just like the main visa holder.

After that, you can even apply to become a British citizen after 12 more months.

What Documents Will You Need?

Here’s a handy checklist:

• Valid passport or ID
• Marriage or birth certificate (to prove relationship)
• Proof that your sponsor has a valid Skilled Worker visa
• Evidence of financial support
• For children 16+: extra documents like:
  • Bank statements
  • NHS letters
  • School/college letters

Do You Need Help With Your Skilled Worker Dependant Visa?

Let’s be honest, immigration applications can be stressful. If you need a helping hand, expert immigration agencies can do you good in ways like:

• Handling the visa process from start to finish
• Deal directly with the Home Office
• Help you prepare the right documents
• Appeal a refusal if things don’t go as planned

Final Thoughts

The Skilled Worker dependant visa is a great way to reunite families and build a new life in the UK. But with the 2025 rule changes, not every Skilled Worker can bring dependants anymore.

Make sure you understand the latest rules before applying, and if it feels confusing, don’t hesitate to get professional help. The peace of mind is often worth it.

If you found this post helpful, be sure to bookmark it, share it, and drop your questions in the comments. Your UK journey might be just a visa away.

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