UK Family Visa (Dependents) Document Checklist

A: Dependent applicants need to submit their valid passport, two ICAO-compliant biometric photos, proof of relationship to the sponsor (marriage certificate, birth certificate, or cohabitation evidence), the completed online application form (VAF), and Immigration Health Surcharge payment. Spouses and partners must also provide English language proof at CEFR A1 level. Applicants from TB-listed countries (including India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka) must include a TB certificate from a Home Office-approved clinic. All non-English documents require a certified English translation. The sponsor must separately provide financial evidence showing at least £29,000 annual gross income (or £88,500 in savings), an employer confirmation letter, accommodation evidence, and a copy of their current UK visa permission.

A: The sponsor must show gross annual income of at least £29,000 to bring a spouse or partner to the UK. This is evidenced using six months of payslips plus an employer letter confirming ongoing employment and salary. If using savings instead of income, the amount required is £88,500, which must have been held in a regulated bank account for at least 28 consecutive days ending no more than 31 days before the application date. The government paused a planned increase to £38,700, keeping the threshold at £29,000 for the 2026/27 tax year. Additional financial requirements may apply for each child dependent. HR teams should review payslips carefully before application — income that is slightly below threshold is the single most common preventable refusal cause.

A: If applying from outside the UK, the standard processing time is approximately 12 weeks from the biometric appointment date. Priority service (where available at the relevant VAC) can reduce this to 2–5 working days for an additional fee. During peak periods — typically summer and December — processing can extend to 16 weeks, so HR teams should advise employees to apply at least three to four months before the dependent's intended travel date. If the dependent is already in the UK on another visa and switches in-country while meeting financial and English language requirements, the standard processing time is around 8 weeks; applications that don't meet these requirements take significantly longer.

A: The most frequent causes of refusal are insufficient proof of a genuine and subsisting relationship, sponsor income below the £29,000 threshold or savings not held for the full 28-day period, missing or incorrect English language evidence, uncertified translations of foreign documents, and invalid or expired TB certificates. For child dependents where only one parent is relocating, failing to prove "sole responsibility" is also a significant risk area. Most of these failures are avoidable with a structured pre-submission document review. If your employee's family faces a refusal, Jobbatical's team can review the refusal notice and advise on reapplication — book a call here.

A: Yes. Dependents of Skilled Worker Visa holders, Global Talent Visa holders, Innovator Founder Visa holders, and qualifying postgraduate students have the right to work in most UK jobs without restriction. Dependents of Health and Care Worker Visa holders are subject to specific restrictions — the Home Office has tightened rules in this route. Work rights are tied to the main visa holder's permission: if the sponsor's visa expires or is curtailed, the dependent's right to work also ends. Dependents can also study in the UK, and children can access state schools. HR teams managing group relocations should confirm the specific work permission conditions for each visa route before communicating rights to families.

A: Spouses and unmarried partners must demonstrate CEFR A1 English proficiency for their initial entry visa. This must be proved through a UKVI-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), such as IELTS Life Skills A1. Acceptable alternatives include a degree taught in English from a recognised institution (with Ecctis certificate if from a non-majority English-speaking country). Exemptions apply to nationals of majority English-speaking countries (including USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand), applicants aged 65 and over, and those with certain disabilities. At the extension stage, the requirement increases to A2, and B1 is required for ILR. Children are not subject to the English language requirement.

A: Biometric appointments (fingerprints and photograph) are submitted at a VFS Global or TLScontact Visa Application Centre (VAC) in the applicant's home country. Applicants from most countries must book these appointments directly through VFS Global's website. As of 2026, the UK has completed its transition to digital immigration status: physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRP cards) are no longer issued or valid for travel and employment proof. Instead, dependents receive a digital eVisa managed through a UKVI online account. Employees and HR teams should ensure dependents create and activate their UKVI account upon arrival in the UK, as this is now the only accepted proof of immigration status.

A: Yes. A dependent who has lived continuously in the UK for five years on a family visa can apply for ILR — provided the sponsor also qualifies (or has already obtained ILR or British citizenship). The five-year period is counted from the date the dependent was first granted leave to enter the UK. Periods of absence exceeding 180 days in any 12-month period can disrupt continuous residence. At the ILR stage, the dependent must also demonstrate B1 English proficiency (a step up from the A1 required at entry). HR teams planning long-term UK relocations should factor ILR timelines into workforce planning — Jobbatical's UK ILR service covers the full settlement pathway.