Moving to the UK is only truly complete when your loved ones are with you. The Dependant visa lets the partner and children of a UK visa holder join them to live, work, and study in the UK.
For most people, a move to the UK is only worth it if their family can come too. The good news is that the UK’s Dependant visa route is built exactly for this it lets the partner and children of many visa holders join them to build a life together in the UK. Watching your family reunite on UK soil is one of the most rewarding moments of the whole journey.
But here’s the catch: the rules changed a lot in 2024 and 2025, and not every visa holder can bring dependants anymore. Getting the relationship evidence, the money, and the timing right is essential. In this guide, we’ll make it all clear: who qualifies, what you need, the full process, and how to avoid the mistakes that get genuine families rejected. Let’s bring your loved ones home to you.
Who is this guide for?
Partners and children of Pakistani nationals holding (or applying for) an eligible UK visa like the Skilled Worker or eligible Student route, who want to join their loved one in the UK.
A Dependant visa lets the partner and children of a main UK visa holder join them to live in the UK for as long as the main visa is valid. Dependants can usually work and study, and they build up residence towards settlement alongside the main applicant. Key point: a Dependant visa isn’t a standalone route it’s linked to the main visa holder’s route, and the exact rules depend on which visa the main person holds.
Not every visa allows dependants. The main routes that generally can bring partners and children include:
Crucial:
The rules on who can bring dependants have tightened sharply. Before anything else, confirm the main visa holder’s route actually allows dependants in 2026 this is the very first thing we check for every family.
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Ask on WhatsAppA “dependant” means a partner or a child. Here’s who qualifies:
Several big changes now limit who can bring dependants. Don’t get caught out:
The takeaway:
These rules are complex and change often. A quick eligibility check with an expert before you apply saves you time, money, and heartache. That’s exactly what we’re here for.
Most dependants must show enough money to support themselves in the UK without relying on public funds. For a Skilled Worker dependant, the maintenance amounts are:
| Partner | £285 |
| First child | £315 |
| Each additional child | £200 |
| How long held | 28 consecutive days, ending within 31 days of applying |
Good news it may be waived:
If the whole family has been in the UK with valid visas for
12 months or more
, or if the employer certifies maintenance on the Certificate of Sponsorship, you may not need to show these funds at all. (Note: Student dependants face higher amounts we’ll confirm the exact figure for your route.)
Consistency matters:
As with any visa, the funds must be genuinely available and held for the full period. A sudden large deposit that appears just before applying is a red flag. Keep your finances steady and be ready to explain any large transactions with proof.
Strong, consistent documents are the heart of a successful dependant application. Typically you’ll need:
Two common slip ups for Pakistani families:
Forgetting to
apostille/attest
marriage and birth certificates, and forgetting the
child consent letter
when only one parent travels. Both cause delays or rejections we make sure they’re sorted in advance.
Dependants can apply at the same time as the main applicant, or later, but always before the main visa expires. Here’s the journey:
Each dependant pays a separate visa fee (there’s no family discount), plus the Migration Health Surcharge (IHS) for each person, charged upfront for the full visa length. For a family, this adds up so budget carefully.
The great news: dependant partners generally have full work rights (except as a professional sportsperson), and children can attend school. This means your family can fully contribute and thrive in the UK.
Two things sit at the heart of every dependant application: proving your relationship is genuine, and showing your finances are consistent and honest.
The Home Office wants to see that your relationship is real and ongoing, not arranged just for a visa. Strong evidence includes your marriage certificate, photos together over time, communication records, joint finances or responsibilities, and evidence of living together. For unmarried partners, the 2+ years of cohabitation evidence is essential.
Where funds are required, they must be genuinely available and steadily held. A sudden large deposit right before applying raises doubts officers want to see money that’s really yours, not borrowed to pass the visa. Keep your statements consistent, and explain any big transactions with proof.
The golden rule:
A genuine relationship + consistent, honest finances + complete, attested documents = a strong family application. Get these right, and you’re well on your way to a “yes”.
Most dependant rejections come down to a handful of avoidable issues. Fix these before you apply:
| Main visa route doesn’t allow dependants | Applying when the main holder’s route (e.g. a taught Master’s) can’t sponsor dependants leads straight to rejection. | Fix it first: Confirm the main visa route actually allows dependants in 2026 before spending on any application. |
| Weak relationship evidence | Not enough proof of a genuine relationship (or 2 years’ cohabitation for unmarried partners) causes doubts. | Fix it first: Build strong evidence certificates, photos, communication, joint responsibilities showing a real, ongoing relationship. |
| Missing attestation or documents | Un attested marriage/birth certificates, or a missing child consent letter, are top causes of rejection for Pakistani families. | Fix it first: Get your certificates apostilled/attested in Pakistan early, and prepare a child consent letter where needed. |
| Inconsistent or sudden finances | Maintenance funds not held long enough, or a sudden deposit before applying, breaks the money rules. | Fix it first: Hold the required funds for the full 28 days, keep them steady, and explain any large deposits with proof. |
| Errors or mismatched details | Details that don’t match the main applicant’s records, or mistakes in the form, cause delays and rejections. | Fix it first: Make every detail consistent with the main applicant’s application, and review everything before submitting. |
Here’s the honest truth: no one can “promise” a visa the decision always rests with the UK Home Office. But you can make your family’s application as strong as possible. And that’s exactly where we come in.
At Westside Visa, our consultants in DHA Lahore help Pakistani families reunite in the UK with confidence. We help you:
And if your family has already faced a rejection, don’t lose hope we’re expert at finding the real problem, fixing it, and rebuilding a stronger case. Many of our success stories started with a “no”. Think of us as your teammate honest, experienced, and fully on your side, working to reunite your family.
| Who can apply | Partner & children of an eligible main visa holder |
| Partner | Married, civil partner, or 2+ years cohabiting |
| Child | Under 18, unmarried, not living independently |
| Maintenance (Skilled Worker) | £285 partner, £315 first child, £200 each more |
| Fees | Separate fee per dependant (no discount) |
| Work rights | Full (except pro sportsperson) |
| Settlement | Builds residence alongside main applicant (5 years to ILR) |
| TB test | Required for Pakistan |
Rules, fees, and financial amounts change regularly and vary by the main applicant’s route always confirm the latest details on the official GOV.UK dependant guidance before applying.
Planning your UK journey? We’ve got you covered:
Whether you’re bringing your partner, your children, or your whole family, Westside Visa guides you every step of the way, with honest, expert advice you can trust.
Book Your Free Consultation Message on WhatsApp
+92 322 5061166 info@westsidevisa.com First Floor 22 A, Sector A Phase 5 DHA, Lahore
A dependant is the partner or child of the main visa holder. A partner must be a spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner living together for 2+ years. A child must be under 18, unmarried, and not living independently.
Only in limited cases. Since 2024, most taught Master’s students can no longer bring dependants only eligible postgraduate research students (like PhD candidates) can. Always confirm your specific course qualifies.
For Skilled Worker dependants: £285 for a partner, £315 for the first child, and £200 for each additional child, held for 28 consecutive days. This may be waived if the family has been in the UK for 12+ months or the employer certifies maintenance. Student dependants face higher amounts.
Yes. Dependant partners generally have full work rights (except as a professional sportsperson), and children can attend school. This lets your whole family contribute and settle in.
Often yes. Marriage and birth certificates from Pakistan usually need apostille or legalisation before they’re accepted. Get this done in Pakistan early a missing attestation is a common cause of delay or rejection.
Yes. Dependants can apply at the same time as the main applicant, or join later but always before the main visa expires. Each person submits their own application and pays their own fee.
Yes from checking eligibility and building relationship evidence to attesting documents and getting the finances right. We can’t promise a visa (no honest consultant can), but we make sure your family’s application is as strong as possible. Contact us to get started.
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This guide is general information from Westside Visa Consultants, not legal advice. Visa rules change often, so always confirm the latest position on the official government website before you apply.
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