UK Dependant Visa

If you are working in UK and want to get your spouse to the UK, you can apply for a dependant visa, given you satisfy the criterian laid out by the UK Home office.

It is best to apply for the dependant's visa when applying for the work visa in your home country, as you only need proof of marriage. Also, reducing the risk of refusal due to insufficient documents when applying separately.

Here is a comprehensive list of Documents you would need for a sucessful application, when applying separately. ( when the sponsor is in UK.)


A) Sponsor's Documents: ( Holder of Work authorisation / Work Permit or PBS)
1) 6 months Bank statements
2) 6 months pay slips
3) Address proof: Electric Bill/Water Bill or Council Tax notice. (Mobile bills is not accepted as proof of residence.)
4) Rental Agreement (showing sufficient accommodation available for the dependant(s).) Please see the over crowding policy laid out by the home office.
5) Rent receipts / Derict Debits showing rent payments.
5) Sponsor's passport copy ( Visa page and stamping page)
6) Sponsor's Work permit
7) NI number letter
8) Employer's letter for employement proof

B) Dependant's Documents / Spouse Visa Document:
14) Passport photo copy (all pages)
15) Proof of address ( ration card, Electric bill / Telephone bill)
16) Marriage proof ( usually Marriage certificate)
17) Birth Certificate (in case dependant is a minor)

Dependant's are, usually issued visa for the same period as the Sponsor's work visa. Dependant's are free to work or take up a job in the UK ( as per the governing policies of Home office.)

Situation One or more child staying in home country with a legal guardian.

In a situation where you may have more than 1 child and may have travelled to UK with spouse and one child and you may want to get the second child also to join you in UK at a later date and time, you may easily do so.

You need not worry you can apply to the British High Commission for a dependant visa in the child's country of residence using the same documents as mentioned above and accompany her back to UK. The processing time usually is less than a week.


Medical Care:



Holder of work visa and their dependants are registered free at the local Health center, part of NHS (National Health Trust). Consulation with the Dr. (referred to as GP, General Physician). Medicines are free for dependant children below the age of 16 yrs.


Medicines need to be paid for, for Adults. Minor illness (Cough, cold, fever, indigestion small cut / bruise, headache etc.) medicines are available over the counter and do not need a written precription by the GP. Quite a few drugs are available only through a written precription by the GP and not available otherwise.

If the illness / injury can not be attended to by the local Health center they may refer your case to the nearest Hospital and you may receive a direct appointment from them to see / be treated by a Dr. in the hospital. Any inpatient expenses for authorised workers & dependants are free.

Maternity procedure is free for people who are registered with NHS and their dependants. NHS provides free Maternity deliveries and free medicines for both mother as well for an additional year from the time of the delivery. Apart from this the Health visitors & Midwife (may be referred to as Jr. Drs in other parts of the world), visit you at home (for 10-15 days) once you have been discharged from the hospital.


Hence you do not need a Medical Insurance to cover maternity expenses(even if the delivery is complicated and may involve an operation.). However, you can explore buying a Medical Insurance for some of the uncovered expenses by NHS like Dental, Optical checks etc. Some of the famous Medical Insurance names are BUPA, Norwich Union etc.

For more information you can visit Department of health

How do I qualify to join my fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner in the UK?

You must show that:

• you plan to marry or register a civil partnership within a reasonable time (usually six months)
• you plan to live together permanently after you are married or have registered a civil partnership
• you have met each other before
• there is somewhere for you and your dependants to live until you get married or register a civil partnership, and you will be able to live without help from public funds, and
• you and your dependants can be supported without working or claiming any help from public funds.

You will be allowed to stay in the UK for six months but without permission to work. When you are married or have registered a civil partnership, you can apply to the UK Border Agency for a two-year extension to your visa. When you do this you will be required to pay a non-refundable fee and provide certain documents as specified on the UK Border Agency website: Form FLR (M) and guidance notes.

If your application is granted you will be allowed to work. Before the end of your probationary two years Further Leave to Remain (FLR) you will need to apply to the UK Border Agency for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK.


Can I join my unmarried or same-sex partner in the UK?
You can apply to join your unmarried or same-sex partner in the UK, as long as:

• they currently live and are settled in the UK, or they are coming to live permanently in the UK, and
• you and your sponsor are both aged 21 and over.

How do I qualify to join my unmarried or same-sex partner in the UK?
You and your unmarried or same-sex partner must show that:

• any previous marriage, civil partnership or similar relationship, has permanently broken down
• you have been living together in a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership for two years or more
• you have suitable accommodation which is owned or lived in only by you and your household, and where you and your dependants can live without any help from public funds
• you can support yourselves and any dependants without any help from public funds
• you intend to live together permanently
• your partner is not under 21, and
• you are not under 21.

The Entry Clearance Officer will need to see evidence of a two-year relationship. This may include:

• documents showing joint commitments, such as bank accounts, investments, rent agreements or mortgages, and
• letters linking you to the same address, and official records (such as a gas or electricity bill or proof of your rent or mortgage arrangements) of your address

At first, you will be allowed to stay and work in the UK for two years. Near the end of this time, if you are still partners and intend to continue living together, you can apply to stay permanently in the UK.

If you and your unmarried or same-sex partner have been living together outside the UK for four years or more and you meet all the necessary requirements to stay permanently in the UK, you may be granted indefinite leave to enter. These requirements include showing that you have the necessary level of knowledge of the English language and life in the UK (see the relevant section of this guidance for more information).