UK Immigration Guidance Allows Family Dependants for 2026

The UK government has published official immigration guidance that outlines 20 categories of work visa holders eligible to bring dependent family members to live in Britain. This guidance is based on the relevant appendices of the Immigration Rules and applies to a range of work routes in 2026.

The eligible categories include Skilled Worker, Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier, Secondment Worker, T2 Minister of Religion, International Sportsperson, Representative of an Overseas Business, UK Ancestry, Global Talent, High Potential Individual, Innovator Founder, Start-up, Scale-up, Creative Worker, Religious Worker, Charity Worker, Government Authorised Exchange, and International Agreement. An exception exists for family members who already hold valid permission to remain in the UK independently, such as under the EU Settlement Scheme, as they may not need to apply separately as dependants.

This guidance aims to assist immigration officials in assessing dependant applications linked to the listed work routes.