UK Sets New Rules for Skilled Worker Visa Dependants

The UK government has published the conditions that partners and children of Skilled Worker visa holders must meet to join them in the UK. These rules apply to both applicants in the UK and those applying from abroad.

Applicants outside the UK must apply for a dependant partner visa or dependant child visa via the gov.uk website, while those already in the UK must use a separate permission-to-stay application. Dependent partners must be aged 18 or over and cannot have held their last permission as a visitor or under certain other categories.

Applicants who have lived in the UK on a valid visa for 12 months or more are exempt from showing funds, while others must demonstrate available savings: £285 for a dependent partner, £315 for the first dependent child, and £200 for each additional child. Funds must be held for a continuous 28-day period before the application.

Additional restrictions apply for dependants of Skilled Workers in specific care-related occupations, including the need for a criminal record certificate. If requirements are met, dependants receive permission aligned with the Skilled Worker’s status.