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The UK Family Visa (also called a UK Dependent Visa) allows spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners, and children under 18 to join a family member who holds a valid UK visa — most commonly a Skilled Worker Visa, Global Talent Visa, or Innovator Founder Visa. Dependents granted this visa can live, work, and access NHS services in the UK.
Download a simple reference PDF with all 17 document names — useful for briefing your employee's family or sharing internally with HR. For embassy-specific format rules, nationality-specific TB requirements, and rejection prevention guidance, speak to the Jobbatical team.
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Format rules · TB clinic lists · Rejection prevention
UK dependent applications are highly sensitive to financial evidence gaps, relationship proof weaknesses, and TB test timing. Jobbatical coordinates every document across sponsor and dependent, pre-checks income against the £29,000 threshold, and manages VAC appointment booking — so your team isn't chasing individuals across time zones.
These are the most common reasons UK dependent visa applications are refused. Review each before submission to protect your employee's family relocation timeline.
| Rejection risk | Why it causes refusal | Prevention | Risk level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insufficient proof of genuine relationship | UKVI requires clear, consistent evidence of a genuine and subsisting relationship — not just a marriage certificate. Thin or recent-only evidence triggers scepticism. | Provide joint bank statements, shared address correspondence, photos together over multiple years, and travel records showing visits | 🔴 High |
| Sponsor income below £29,000 or savings not held for 28 days | The financial threshold is strictly enforced. Any gap in the 28-day period or income just below threshold results in automatic refusal. | Confirm gross salary meets £29,000; provide last 6 months' payslips; if using savings ensure bank statements cover exactly 28 consecutive days ending within 31 days of application | 🔴 High |
| Missing or expired English language test | Spouse/partner applicants must prove A1 English proficiency. Unrecognised test, expired certificate, or wrong CEFR level all lead to refusal. | Use a UKVI-approved SELT (e.g. IELTS Life Skills A1); confirm nationality exemption status with Jobbatical before booking the test | 🔴 High |
| Uncertified or untranslated documents | UKVI requires a certified English translation for every non-English document. Uncertified translations or self-translations are rejected. | Use a qualified translator who certifies the translation with name, signature, and contact details — not a notary alone | 🟡 Medium |
| TB test from non-approved clinic or expired certificate | Applicants from listed countries must use a Home Office-approved clinic. An invalid certificate causes the entire application to be rejected. | Check the GOV.UK list of approved TB clinics for the applicant's country; book test early as appointments are limited; confirm certificate validity window (typically 6 months) | 🟡 Medium |
| Sole responsibility evidence too weak (child dependents) | Where only one parent is relocating to the UK, UKVI must be satisfied the UK-based parent has genuine sole responsibility for the child. | Provide school records, GP correspondence, court orders, and written consent from the other parent — this is a complex area; Jobbatical flags it early | 🟡 Medium |
| Incorrect form or missing GWF/UAN reference | Dependent applications must be linked to the sponsor's application via the GWF or UAN reference. Missing this link causes processing delays or outright rejection. | Confirm sponsor's current GWF/UAN before submitting dependent application; Jobbatical includes this as a mandatory pre-submission check | 🟢 Preventable |
When an employee's family is waiting to relocate, delays are costly. Jobbatical pre-screens every dependent application before submission so the first submission is the right one.
Once your employee's dependent visa is secured, these checklists cover the next steps in their UK immigration journey.
Disclaimer: This checklist is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice; requirements may change without notice. Document requirements, financial thresholds, and eligibility rules under the UK Family Visa (Dependents) route are updated regularly by the Home Office — verify against current official GOV.UK guidance before submitting any application. Jobbatical accepts no liability for visa refusals, delays, or complications arising from reliance on this checklist. For a complete, case-specific document list and professional guidance, consult the Jobbatical immigration team.
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🇮🇳 India | Additional documents beyond the standard checklist:
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🇵🇰 Pakistan | Additional documents beyond the standard checklist:
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🇳🇬 Nigeria | Additional documents beyond the standard checklist:
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🇵🇭 Philippines | Additional documents beyond the standard checklist:
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🇧🇩 Bangladesh | Additional documents beyond the standard checklist:
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🇧🇷 Brazil | Additional documents beyond the standard checklist:
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🇨🇳 China | Additional documents beyond the standard checklist:
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🇿🇦 South Africa | Additional documents beyond the standard checklist:
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| Not sure what your employee's family needs for their specific country? Email us at [email protected] or book a 20-minute call with the Jobbatical team. | |
Need support beyond this calculator? Our experts handle the full process, from eligibility checks to application and compliance.
Explore UK Family Visa (Dependents)A: A UK Family Visa dependant application typically requires a valid passport, proof of relationship to the sponsor, completed visa application forms, immigration status documents for the UK-based sponsor, accommodation evidence, financial documents, and any required supporting records. The exact document checklist depends on whether the applicant is a spouse, partner, or child dependant.
A: Spouses and civil partners normally provide a marriage or civil partnership certificate. Unmarried partners may need evidence of living together for at least two years, such as joint tenancy agreements, utility bills, or bank statements. Child dependants usually require a birth certificate showing the relationship to the sponsoring parent.
A: Financial evidence may include recent payslips, employer confirmation letters, bank statements, savings evidence, and other records demonstrating that the sponsor meets current UK Family Visa financial requirements. All financial documents should be up to date and consistent across the application.
A: Yes. Any document submitted in a language other than English or Welsh must normally be accompanied by a certified translation. The translation should include the translator's credentials, confirmation of accuracy, signature, and date to meet UKVI document requirements.
A: Sponsors are generally required to provide copies of their passport, current UK visa or immigration status evidence, proof of address, employment records, financial documents, and supporting evidence demonstrating their eligibility to sponsor dependant family members.
A: Applicants may need tenancy agreements, property ownership documents, landlord confirmation letters, council tax records, or other evidence showing that suitable accommodation is available for the dependant family member in the UK.
A: Commonly missing documents include relationship evidence, complete financial records, certified translations, accommodation proof, sponsor immigration documents, and child custody or parental consent documents where applicable. Missing documents are a frequent cause of application delays and requests for additional evidence.
A: Supporting documents should be organised into clear categories such as identity documents, relationship evidence, financial records, accommodation documents, sponsor records, and translations. A structured UK Family Visa document checklist helps reduce errors and makes the application easier for UKVI to assess.
Complete UK Family Visa (Dependents) checklist for 2026 — 17 required documents, financial proof rules, TB test requirements, and rejection prevention. Free download for HR teams.
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