UK Skilled Worker Visa and Family Members:
The UK Skilled Worker visa is an attractive option for skilled professionals looking to live and work in the UK. One of its most appealing aspects is the ability for visa holders to bring their family members to the UK, allowing families to stay together while pursuing careers or studies. The UK offers a straightforward process for family members to join Skilled Worker visa holders, giving dependents the right to live, work, and study in the UK.
This article provides a detailed guide on the UK Skilled Worker visa for family members, outlining eligibility criteria, the application process, and the benefits for dependents of Skilled Worker visa holders.
To get a detailed eBook on the UK skilled worker visa and family members click here
Who Can Accompany A Skilled Worker Visa Holder?
The UK Skilled Worker visa allows visa holders to bring certain family members, referred to as “dependents,” to the UK. Eligible dependents include:
Spouse Or Civil Partner
Your husband, wife, or civil partner can join you in the UK as a dependent. Both opposite-sex and same-sex relationships are recognized, and you must be legally married or in a civil partnership at the time of the application.
Unmarried Partner
If you have been in a long-term relationship but are not married or in a civil partnership, your partner may still qualify as a dependent, provided that:
You have been living together for at least two years before the application.
You can provide evidence of your relationship, such as joint bank statements or utility bills
Children Under 18
Your children can also join you as dependents if they are under the age of 18 at the time of application. This includes both biological and adopted children.
If your child was born in the UK while you hold a Skilled Worker visa, they do not need a visa to live in the UK but will need one to travel outside the UK and return.
Children Over 18
In certain cases, children over 18 who are already in the UK as dependents may continue to qualify for a dependent visa if they are still financially dependent on you and living with you.
To get a detailed eBook on the UK skilled worker visa and family members click here
Eligibility Criteria For Dependents
Family members of Skilled Worker visa holders must meet specific eligibility criteria to apply as dependents. These requirements ensure that the dependents are genuinely related to the main visa holder and have the necessary financial support to live in the UK.
Relationship Proof
You must provide documentary evidence of your relationship with the dependent. For a spouse or civil partner, this includes a marriage or civil partnership certificate. For an unmarried partner, you’ll need evidence showing that you’ve lived together for at least two years.
For children, you’ll need to provide birth or adoption certificates proving their relationship to you.
Financial Requirement
You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support your dependents without relying on public funds. The amount required depends on the number of dependents and whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK.
As of 2024, the required maintenance funds are:
£285 for your spouse or partner.
£315 for the first child.
£200 for each additional child.
You must show that this money has been available in your bank account for at least 28 days before the visa application unless your employer is willing to certify the maintenance funds on your Certificate of Sponsorship (COS).To get a detailed eBook on the UK skilled worker visa and family members click here
No Access To Public Funds
Dependents on a Skilled Worker visa are not allowed to access public funds. This means they cannot claim benefits such as social housing, child benefits, or income support.
Application Process For Dependents
The application process for dependents of Skilled Worker visa holders is relatively straightforward and can be done at the same time as the main visa application or separately after the main visa holder has moved to the UK.
Online Application
Dependents must apply online through the UK government’s visa portal. If applying from outside the UK, they will need to complete the “Skilled Worker Dependent Visa” form.
Each dependent must submit their own application, although multiple applications can be submitted together as a family unit.
Provide Supporting Documents
Along with the online application, dependents must submit several supporting documents, including:
A valid passport or travel document.
Proof of relationship to the main visa holder (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate).
Proof of maintenance funds (e.g., bank statements).
The Certificate of Sponsorship reference number of the Skilled Worker visa holder.
Biometrics Appointment
All applicants must attend a biometrics appointment where their fingerprints and photographs will be taken. This is required to issue a biometric residence permit (BRP), which serves as their official ID in the UK.
Pay the Application Fees
The application fee for dependents is the same as that for the Skilled Worker visa holder. The fees depend on the length of the visa:
£625 for a visa of up to three years.
£1,423 for a visa longer than three years.
Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
The Immigration Health Surcharge is mandatory for all visa applicants, including dependents, and allows them to access the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). The IHS fee is currently £624 per year.
Receive A Decision
Visa processing times for dependents are typically the same as for Skilled Worker visa holders. Applications from outside the UK are usually processed within three weeks, while those from inside the UK may take up to eight weeks.
Rights And Benefits For Dependents
Family members of Skilled Worker visa holders enjoy several rights and benefits while living in the UK. These include:
Right To Work
Spouses, civil partners, and unmarried partners of Skilled Worker visa holders have the right to work in the UK without restrictions. They can take up employment in any sector and are not limited to a specific employer or job role.
This flexibility allows dependents to pursue their own careers or start businesses in the UK.
Right To Study
Dependent children and partners can enroll in educational institutions in the UK. Children under 18 can attend state schools, while partners and adult children can apply to study at UK universities and colleges.
Studying in the UK can also open pathways to post-study work options, such as the Graduate visa, which allows students to stay in the UK for up to two years after completing their degree.
To get a detailed eBook on the UK skilled worker visa and family members click here
Access To Healthcare
By paying the Immigration Health Surcharge, dependents can access healthcare services through the UK’s NHS. This covers a wide range of medical services, including doctor visits, emergency care, and hospital treatments.
Pathway To Indefinite Leave To Remain (ILR)
After five years of continuous residence in the UK, dependents can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which allows them to stay in the UK permanently. They must meet the residency and eligibility criteria, including passing a “Life in the UK” test and demonstrating English language proficiency.
Once granted ILR, dependents no longer need to renew their visa and can eventually apply for British citizenship.
Freedom To Travel
Dependents on a Skilled Worker visa can travel freely in and out of the UK. However, they must ensure they meet the residency requirements for ILR, which generally limits the amount of time they can spend outside the UK.
Challenges And Considerations
While the UK Skilled Worker visa offers numerous advantages for family members, there are some challenges to consider:
Cost The total cost of the visa application process can be significant, especially for larger families. In addition to visa application fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge must be paid for each family member, which can quickly add up over the years.
Financial Requirements: You must prove that you have enough funds to support your dependents, which can be challenging for some families, especially if they are just starting out in the UK. However, if your employer certifies your maintenance, this requirement can be waived.
Dependents Over 18: If your child turns 18 during your stay in the UK, they may no longer qualify as a dependent unless they are already in the UK on a dependent visa and are still financially dependent on you.
The UK Skilled Worker visa provides an excellent opportunity for skilled professionals to live and work in the UK with their families. By meeting the eligibility requirements and following the application process, Skilled Worker visa holders can bring their spouses, partners, and children to the UK, allowing them to build a life together.
To get a detailed eBook on the UK skilled worker visa and family members click here
With the right to work, study, and access healthcare, family members of Skilled Worker visa holders enjoy many benefits during their time in the UK. Moreover, the possibility of gaining permanent residency through Indefinite Leave to Remain offers a long-term future for families who wish to make the UK their home.
