Need Help With a UK Family or Dependant Visa?
Clear advice and application support for your family’s next step.
You want to be together. We help you work out which UK family visa or dependant route applies, understand the requirements and prepare the appropriate application.
Whether you are joining a partner, arranging permission for a child or checking a dependant application, your case is managed by a qualified, authorised and regulated immigration adviser. We explain the work and professional fee before you instruct us.
Prefer to speak to the team? Request a Call Back.
Family and Dependant Visa Routes Explained
The right application depends on your relationship and the immigration status of the person in the UK. These routes have different eligibility and evidence rules.
Spouse or partner applications: These may be appropriate where your partner is British or Irish, settled in the UK or holds another qualifying status. Our spouse visa application assistance page explains that service.
Child applications: A child may be joining or remaining with a parent under a family route or as a worker’s or Student’s dependant. The child’s circumstances and both parents’ positions need checking.
Parent visas: A parent route may be relevant where you are caring for an eligible child in the UK. This is different from an adult parent seeking to join their grown-up child.
Worker and Student dependants: Eligible partners and children may apply under the main applicant’s immigration route. Whether dependants are permitted depends on the particular route and circumstances.
Our UK dependant visa guide explains why choosing the correct category comes first.
How We Help Prepare Your Application
When instructed for appropriate application work, the Knightsbridge Immigration team manages the process from initial contact to case preparation and submission.
1. Review the route and your circumstances
Your adviser checks the family relationship, relevant immigration permissions, application location and previous history. We identify the work needed and any issue requiring advice outside our authorised scope.
2. Explain the evidence you need
You receive tailored document guidance. We review the information provided and explain gaps, inconsistencies or further evidence needed for the relevant requirements.
3. Prepare the agreed application work
We prepare the application and organise supporting evidence within the agreed scope. You check the details, respond to outstanding questions and approve the application before submission.
4. Manage submission and next steps
We manage the agreed submission process and explain biometrics, identity verification and remaining instructions. Your responsibilities and any additional work are set out in the terms of engagement.
You remain responsible for accurate information and obtaining the documents requested. Our UK visa document checklist guide explains how to organise evidence around the requirements.
Can Workers and Students Bring Dependants?
Some work routes permit eligible partners and children, but this is not automatic for every worker. Skilled Worker applications involving care workers, senior care workers or other medium-skilled occupations have dependant restrictions, exceptions and transitional rules.
We check the main applicant’s occupation, immigration history and relevant dates before advising on the family’s options. Read our Skilled Worker dependant visa guide for the main considerations.
Student Visa dependant eligibility is also restricted. It is generally available to qualifying government-sponsored students or students on eligible postgraduate research courses, subject to the detailed conditions. A taught master’s course does not normally allow a new applicant to bring dependants.
The course type, start date, length, sponsorship and any transitional position matter. Our Student dependant rules guide explains the distinction.
Child and Parent Applications Need Individual Checks
For child visas, we consider age, dependency, care arrangements and both parents’ immigration positions. Where only one parent is applying or living in the UK, the relevant parental-responsibility rules and exceptions need careful attention.
For parent applications, your child’s age and status, where they live and your role in their upbringing matter. If you qualify under the partner route, you generally need to apply under that route instead.
A parent application is not automatically available simply because your child is British or settled. Complex parental-responsibility issues or applications requiring detailed human rights representations may need referral to our solicitor partners.
What Your Application Needs to Show
The qualifying relationship: Depending on the route, evidence may include birth or marriage certificates, relationship records and information about care or dependency. A certificate alone does not establish every requirement.
The correct immigration position: The main applicant’s permission, occupation or course can determine whether the family member is eligible. Existing visa dates and previous applications also matter.
The relevant financial requirement: Some routes use income or adequate-maintenance rules; others require specified maintenance funds. Exemptions and permitted ways of meeting the requirement vary. The spouse visa income threshold is not a universal dependant requirement.
Accommodation and care arrangements: Where required, the evidence must address suitable housing, household circumstances and appropriate arrangements for children.
English and other evidence: English requirements depend on the route and application stage. An English test is not a universal requirement for every adult dependant application. Other evidence, including TB screening where applicable, also needs checking.
What Does Family or Dependant Visa Assistance Cost?
Our published professional fee for Child / Family Dependant application assistance is £1,500. We confirm the application, work covered and total fee in writing before you instruct us.
A family may need several applications, each with separate requirements. Your quotation explains which people and applications are included. Partner, parent and specialist matters need the appropriate service and quotation.
Home Office application charges, the Immigration Health Surcharge where applicable, and third-party costs are separate. A solicitor referral is subject to the solicitor firm’s own agreed fees.
See our immigration fees, or Start a Query with your family’s circumstances so we can explain the relevant support.
When a Solicitor Referral Is Needed
Adult Dependent Relative applications have strict requirements concerning long-term personal care and the availability of care overseas. We refer this work to our solicitor partners for advice and casework under their own engagement.
Refugee family reunion under Appendix Family Reunion is currently closed to new applications. Other family routes may be available, depending on the requirements. Protection-related family reunion enquiries are referred to our solicitor partners.
Refusal advice, appeals, judicial review, complex human rights representations and other work outside our authorised scope are also referred. The solicitor firm confirms whether it can accept the work, its scope and fees, and provides the relevant advice or representation.
What Happens When You Get in Touch?
Start a Query with who wants to apply, their ages, nationality and current location. Explain the relationship to the person in the UK and that person’s immigration status.
Include current visa expiry dates and whether the main applicant has already obtained permission or is applying at the same time. Mention earlier refusals, pending applications and any important family circumstances.
We use this information to establish whether we can help and explain the appropriate service, scope and fee. Detailed advice and application work are agreed before they begin.
Start a Query or Request a Call Back.
Family and Dependant Visa Questions
Can I apply from inside the UK?
It depends on your current permission and the route. Visitors generally cannot switch into the main family or dependant routes, although specific exceptions can apply. Check your position before relying on an in-country application.
Can a child continue as a dependant after turning 18?
Some routes allow a child who already held dependant permission to continue after 18 if the relevant conditions remain met. This is different from a first application for an independent adult relative.
Can dependants work or study?
Permissions vary by route, age and conditions. Many dependant partners can work, subject to restrictions, but you should check the particular grant. Do not assume every family member receives identical rights.
How long does a decision take?
There is no single processing time for every family and dependant application. The route, application location and completion of identity and evidence steps matter. We explain the published estimate for your category separately from preparation time. Additional checks can cause delays.
Must the whole family apply at the same time?
Not always. Some routes allow eligible dependants to apply alongside the main applicant or later. Each person must still meet the relevant rules. We check the proposed timing against current visa expiry dates, the main applicant’s circumstances and any route-specific restrictions before agreeing the preparation plan.
Does the main applicant’s settlement automatically settle the family?
No. Each person’s eligibility and application need checking. Dependants may need to extend before qualifying for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Our family settlement guide explains the planning questions.
Ready to Plan Your Family’s Next Step?
Tell us who you want to join or remain with in the UK. We will explain the application support available and the next step for your circumstances.
Prefer a conversation? Request a Call Back.
AHJ Immigration is a brand of Knightsbridge Immigration Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority. All advice and casework are managed through Knightsbridge Immigration Ltd.
