The United Kingdom has introduced new immigration rules for partners and children of Skilled Worker visa holders. These rules, effective immediately, specify the conditions that dependents must meet to join or stay with the primary visa holder. The UK government has published detailed eligibility criteria covering financial, relationship, and suitability requirements. This move aims to streamline the application process and ensure that dependents meet specific standards.
To apply for a dependant partner or child visa, applicants must meet certain age and immigration status requirements. Partners must be at least 18 years old and cannot have previously held certain short-term immigration statuses, such as visitor or seasonal worker. Applicants abroad will submit an online dependant partner or dependant child visa application, while those already in the UK must apply for permission to stay through a separate process.
Financial requirements are a crucial aspect of the new rules. Dependents must demonstrate access to a minimum of £285 for a partner, £315 for the first child, and £200 for each additional child, held for 28 consecutive days. This financial evidence is not required if the dependant has lived in the UK for at least 12 months on a valid permission. The required funds must be separate from any money the Skilled Worker uses to meet their own financial requirement.
Additional restrictions apply to certain occupations, especially care-related roles. Depending on the occupation code and the timing of the original permission, the visa holder may not be able to bring dependents. For specific occupations, dependent partners must provide criminal-record certificates covering any country where they lived for 12 months or more in the past ten years after turning 18.
Approved dependents are not entitled to public funds but are generally permitted to work and study. The partner's permission usually expires on the same date as the Skilled Worker's visa or three years if the worker is granted settlement. Children's permission typically ends when the earliest-expiring parent's permission ends, but if both parents are settled or British citizens, the child receives a three-year permission.
A dependant's application cannot proceed unless the primary Skilled Worker holds valid permission under the route or applies for it simultaneously. This ensures that the primary visa holder's status is secure before dependents can join or stay with them. The UK government aims to ensure that all visa applications are processed efficiently and that dependents meet the required standards.
The new rules are part of the UK government's efforts to refine its immigration system. By introducing these changes, the government aims to balance the needs of Skilled Worker visa holders and their dependents with the requirements of the UK job market. The rules will be reviewed and updated as necessary to ensure they remain effective and fair.
Key points
- Dependents of Skilled Worker visa holders must meet specific financial, relationship, and suitability requirements.
- Additional restrictions apply to certain occupations, especially care-related roles.
- Approved dependents are generally permitted to work and study, but not entitled to public funds.
