On 23rd May 2023, former Home Secretary Suella Braverman issued an announcement in a written statement to say that the government would be “removing the right for international students to bring dependents unless studying on postgraduate courses currently designated as research programmes.” The restrictions were part of the efforts made toward reducing net immigration to the United Kingdom in sync with the commitment made by the government in its International Education Strategy of increasing the number of international students in UK higher education to more than 600,000 annually by the year 2030.
This proposal was confirmed in the government’s Statement of Changes on 17 July 2023, as it reaffirmed changes to the Student Visa application system and associated rights concerning Student dependents, as well as transition from Student Visa to work visa. These changes were effected for applications made from 17 July 2023 for a course commencing on or after 1 January 2024.
This blog will elaborate on the ways you can now bring your dependents by satisfying the imposed conditions by the UK government.
Who is a Dependent?
For the purposes of the UK Student Visa:
A Spouse or Partner: This consists of wife, husband, civil partner, or an unmarried partner evidencing a genuine relationship.
Children: Children less than 18 years are dependents. Dependent children refer to those born after the student comes to the UK. They may also be included as dependents if they are above 18 and already in the UK as dependents.
Do All Students Qualify to Bring Dependents to the UK?
You are permitted to bring your dependents to the UK under the below mentioned conditions. These are some of the cases when dependents can join you in the UK:
1) Studying at the Postgraduate Level
Dependents can join you upon completion of the following postgraduate courses: Full-time postgraduate research that is RQF Level 7 or above, such as Master’s or PhD, Study course lasting 9 months or above. This includes degree types such as MBAs, MScs, and research-focused doctorate programs.
What is Full-Time Research-Based Higher Degree?
A full-time research higher degree course is one of the advanced academic programs involving independent research with limited classroom learning. These programs give original research for one’s field of study and are paramount for someone pursuing academic, research, or specialized professional careers.
Key Features:
Research Focused: You will do research thoroughly under the supervision of an academic expert. Research contribution will contain primarily scientific, some technological, or theoretical.
Less Taught Elements: Unlike the regular postgraduate programs (usually a taught master’s like MSc or MA) having lectures and seminars, these programs are much less. Most of your time will be spent on the thesis or dissertation or specific projects of research.
Examples of Research-Based Degrees
PhD: The most intense program lasting 3-4 years in independent research leading to a thesis that should ideally be a significant contribution to the field.
MPhil: Short for Master of Philosophy, this research degree is included in a program leading to a Ph.D. or as a degree by itself.
MRes: Again, this is a research-based Master’s degree, but one usually considers it as preparation for a doctoral study, with structure-heavy research training involved in this Master’s program.
Also Read :- Find Out Flexible Study Options in the UK
2) Government-Backed Students
You qualify for bringing in your dependant to the UK if you receive any type of sponsorship from your home government. You must satisfy the following conditions:
- Enrolled in a course of 6 months duration or longer.
- Studying at any level, as long as you qualify for sponsorship.
What is a Government Sponsored Student?
A government sponsored student is one for whose education including tuition fees and maintenance costs is sponsored by his or her home government, an authorized international body, or a scholarship program supported by the government.
Main Features:
Scholarship or Funding: Government support programs usually provide scholarships or grants or stipends for this type of talent development and international collaboration.
Some Examples of Such Sponsors
- Commonwealth scholarship fund for the students from Commonwealth Countries.
- Chevening Scholarships, the UK Government program for global leaders in the developing world.
- Fulbright Program for exchange of academics between the United States and the United Kingdom.
3) Specific Doctorate Extension Schemes
Doctorate students extending visas under particular schemes are allowed to have dependents while they do their research or dissertation work.
Period and Financial Requirements
You also need to prove that you are financially capable to look after your dependants as set below:
- £845 a month for dependents who are based in London.
- £680 a month for dependents based outside London.
This amount has to be held continuously in your or your dependant’s bank account for at least 28 days before an application for this visa can be made.
Student Dependent Extension Applications
Student Dependents Given Immigration Permission before 01 January 2024.
If the course was begun at any time before January 2024 and the dependent had initially been granted permission as a student dependent, then they would usually be applying for extension into their visa. Even if the new exceptions do not apply to you, this does not apply to anyone who began studying before 01 January 2024, even ahead of any possible extension process. The applicant should meet the relevant Student dependent requirements.
Student Dependents Granted Permission after 01 January 2024
If the student meets the conditions under the new rules with respect to bringing in dependents, the dependent will have to apply for an extension in the same way as those who applied before 01 January 2024, if they were granted a visa at that time.
Student Dependents Wanting to Extend Their Stay When Student Applies for Graduate Visa
If study commences during the period relating to that date or thereafter, if the dependent were initially offered stay as a Student dependent, they are allowed under the Immigration Rules to extend their stay as dependents. The main Student must be granted permission to stay as a Graduate in order for the dependent to extend their leave under this route.
No new dependents enter the Graduate route except for where a dependent child is born in the UK during a student’s or graduates’ leave.
Bear in mind though, in December of 2023, the government announced that they planned to review the Graduate route to keep in line with their agenda of reducing migration into the UK; this might change, however.
To Apply for Dependents Visa
1) Application for Dependant Visa
It is vital that dependent members apply for Dependent Tier 4 Student Visa or be related to the main application family visa made by the student. Applications may be made with that of the student or independently.
2) Necessary Documentations
Dependents should include:
- Evidence of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, among others).
- Proof of finances support.
- Passport plus tuberculosis (TB) test results (where required).
3) Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
Upon entering the UK, dependents would need to acquire their Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) as a part of the visa approval process.
Restrictions and Rights for Dependents
Rights available to dependents in the UK:
- Work Rights: Most dependent persons can work in jobs unless otherwise restricted under certain visa conditions.
- Education: A child dependent may attend school in the UK.
- Health access: Dependents qualify for NHS funding; however, it must be noted that this is subject to the full payment of Immigration Health Surcharge with the visa application. Alternatively, they are not eligible to claim public funds that cover other forms of welfare benefits such as housing or unemployment benefits.
FAQs
1. Are my dependents subject to new rules if I was offered a course on or before 01 January 2024 but deferred to start on or after 01 January?
The new dependent rules apply to you even if you were offered a place on a course which commenced prior to 01 January 2024, but delayed your start date until after this date.
2. Do I have to make my Student application at the same time as my dependent’s application if I study one of the eligible courses?
If you are eligible, your dependent can make their application at the same time as yours or separately. If the dependent wants to apply separately, they must ensure that the student has been granted permission as a student before applying. This applies equally to those applying before 01 January 2024 or afterward.
3. If I get a Student dependent visa, can I work and study?
There are no work restrictions for dependents aged over 16 years in the UK, except for the following cases: you cannot be a trainee doctor or dentist, and you cannot be a professional sportsperson or coach. There is no restriction on study for Student dependents.
