The Skilled Worker Dependent Visa is an attractive route for both foreign families and UK companies. Helping families to stay together, and bringing unique skills to the UK, this visa is an extremely popular option for many employees who want to live in the UK.
Keep reading to discover who is eligible for the Skilled Worker Dependent Visa, how to submit an application, and what the benefits are for both companies and families.
What is the Purpose of Skilled Worker Dependent Visas?
In general, Dependent Visas allow non-British citizens to bring their immediate family members (partner or children) to the UK with them. By keeping families together, this type of UK Visa enhances the appeal of moving to the UK, whether it’s for work, family, or any another motivation.
Statistics tell us that Dependent Visas are an extremely successful area of UK immigration. From March 2023 to March 2024, there was a 55% increase in grants to dependents of Work Visa holders (1).
The Skilled Worker Visa route has strong links to the Dependent Visa, with 58,950 grants offered to Skilled Worker dependents in 2024. As a result, the UK benefits from talented overseas employees who may not have taken the step to move country if they had to leave their family at home.
Who Can Get a Skilled Worker Dependent Visa?
Skilled Worker Dependent Visa applicants with children under 18 (or over 18 but living in the UK as the parent’s dependent) or a spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner, may be able to bring their relative to the UK on a Skilled Worker Dependent Visa.
To do this, the Home Office requires proof of a genuine relationship, which can be demonstrated through birth certificates, marriage certificates, proof of cohabitation and regular communication, and other evidence that supports a working relationship. There will also be a biometrics appointment at a visa application centre, which serves to prove the identity of the dependent.
There must also be proof that the dependent can fund their lifestyle in the UK. The primary applicant’s funds will be taken into account in this calculation, so the dependent may still apply if they are lacking the funds. However, the primary applicant must also have enough money for themselves — they need at least £1,270. A minimum of £285 is needed for a partner, and £315 for a child. For each additional child, £200 is required.
How to Apply for the Skilled Worker Dependent Visa?
Dependent Visas are treated as separate applications in the UK, meaning the partner or child(ren) of the primary applicant must apply online after the Skilled Worker Visa application has been submitted.
To do this, they will need the Unique Application Number (UAN) which will feature on all correspondence regarding the Skilled Worker Visa application. Primary applicants with a family linking code can also provide this to their dependents, as this will link the applications together.
If the dependent is already living in the UK, they may be able to switch their visa to the Skilled Worker Dependent Visa by filling out an online application. This does not apply to those who are on a Parent of a Child Student Visa, Short-term Student Visa, or Visit Visa.
After submitting the application, it takes between 3-8 weeks to get a decision from the Home Office. However, fast-tracked decisions can be pursued in some cases.
To find out how to fast-track an application, or to enquire about any other stage of the application process, consider reaching out to an immigration lawyer who specialises in the Skilled Worker Dependent Visa. For many applicants, this is the best choice to ensure their application is as accurate as possible.
How Does the Skilled Worker Dependent Visa Benefit Companies?
Companies benefit from the Skilled Worker Dependent Visa because of the wider variety of choice in the recruitment process. If more people are applying to work in the UK due to the ease of bringing family over, companies have access to a more diverse workforce with important skills.
What’s more, there is more chance of a foreign employee staying with a company long term if their family is living with them. This has the potential to reduce turnover rates, ultimately improving productivity and reputation.
How Does the Skilled Worker Dependent Visa Benefit Families?
Skilled workers and their families benefit from the Dependent Visa as they can easily move to the UK together, which is not only an advantage in terms of life satisfaction, but may also improve a family’s financial situation.
Skilled Worker Visa holders with children can offer an incredible upbringing through the Dependent Visa, with children able to study at high-quality schools and perhaps eventually enter the UK workforce themselves.
Finally, the fact that the Dependent Visa can be linked to the Skilled Worker Visa application is extremely practical for many families. Instead of having to navigate two completely different immigration paths, they can follow one simple route, which is both faster and less stressful.
Conclusion
The Skilled Worker Dependent Visa has improved the British workforce by not only welcoming skilled workers from various countries, but also their families.
Applying for this visa can be complicated, but with an immigration lawyer, there’s nothing to be concerned about. Simply follow the advice of the expert, and fill in all information accurately, then await the Home Office’s decision. Within just 1-2 months, you could be granted a Skilled Worker Dependent Visa.
