The Tier 2 Dependent visa is for immediate family members of Tier 2 visa holders who wish to join their loved ones in the United Kingdom. Those who have previously held a Tier 2 (or equivalent) visa and now have settled status can apply through this visa route.
Please be aware that the UK Tier 2 visa category has been closed to new applicants and superseded by the Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visa categories. The Tier 2 Dependent Visa is also commonly referred to as the following.
- Immigration for Dependents
- Tier 2 Alien spouse visa
- DV for Dependents of Skilled Workers
- Dependent Worker Visa in the Health and Social Care Industry
However, the requirements for all these visas are broadly the same.
Who is Eligible to Apply for a UK Dependent Visa?
A Dependant Visa can be obtained if you are a qualifying migrant’s wife or husband, minor child or unmarried child under 21. The rules and regulations of Immigration define a “dependant” as:
- Spouse, civil-union partner, Single or same-gender partner, and minor (under 18) all qualify.
- It is doubtful that any other Siblings or members would successfully claim dependant status for a Dependant Visa.
You must be the Husband or wife or partner of someone who is either:
- In the United Kingdom on a relevant visa; or
- A British citizen or permanent resident.
Making a visa application spontaneously as a Tier 2 Dependant Visa application
- Any couple, regardless of whether they are married or not, must be able to prove that they have been in a stable, committed, marriage-like relationship that may be a wife or a husband for at least 2 years.
- If both mother and father are simultaneously applying for entry permits to the UK.
- If both father and mother are staying in the United Kingdom and the children are using to join them.
- Or if one parent is already staying in the United Kingdom.
- If the other father or mother applies to join them and the child, the child may apply for a Dependant Visa.
A child can only put application for a Dependant visa of a single parent if one of the following three conditions is met:
- The parent is the child’s only living parent maybe a father or mother.
- The parent has main custody of the child.
- There are exceptional circumstances that warrant the child applying as a dependant on only one parent.
To qualify for a Dependant Visa, a family must prove that they do not need government assistance. It is possible by showing that they have sufficient funds for their daily needs. To qualify for a Tier 2 Visa, the primary applicant must show that they have £285 saved for their dependent spouse or partner, £315 saved for their first child, and £200 saved for each additional child. However, if an A-rated Skilled Worker Sponsor License holder can attest that these funds will be available. The applicant may not need to provide proof of funds availability.
Applying From Abroad
Someones dependent can apply for a Skilled Worker Dependant visa even if they aren’t physically present in the UK. Online submission is required for this application. Applicants will be required to provide biometric information at the visa application center. If the visa is approved, they must pick up their biometric residence permit 30 days after arriving in the UK
In-country applications are welcome in the UK.
The Skilled Worker Dependent visa can be applied for by a dependent already in the UK on another access, allowing them to stay in the country without returning home. This can also be done digitally through the official portal of the government.
Tier 2 Dependent Visa Requirements (In General)
While applying for a Tier 2 work visa, you must consider several specific requirements. Generally speaking, you must meet the following criteria to apply for a Tier 2 General visa:
- There must be a skilled position waiting for you in the United Kingdom.
- The prospective employer must be authorized by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) as a Tier 2 Sponsor to make the job offer.
- Your company should provide you with a sponsorship certificate (CoS) number.
- You must ensure your position suits the local labour market (undertaken by your employer). An exemption from the Resident Labor Market test may be available in particular conditions.
- Above the bare minimum of £20,800, you should be paid a salary that reflects the value you add to the company.
- To think about this position, you must demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the CEFR level B1.
- Unless you qualify for an exemption, you must provide proof that you have access to at least £945 per month to cover your living expenses.
What exactly is the residency rule of five years for Tier 2 Dependent visa?
To be eligible for permanent residency, applicants must also show that they have resided in the country throughout the required time frame. Applicants are only qualified if their history of continuous residence is fixed. Any one of the following can serve to interrupt a person’s uninterrupted stay in a given location:
- If an applicant has been out of the country for more than 180 days in any 12-month rolling time period and not any of the conditions in Appendix Continuous Residence apply;
- if an applicant has been victim of a crime or to be confined in an organization other than a prison;
- if an applicant is subject to an expulsion order or direction;
- if an applicant is named to removal; or
- if an applicant does not have lawful permanent residence
Absences during the grant period that would have been disregarded under the Immigration Rules in effect before January 11, 2018. It will not be considered if you entered the category before that date. After January 11, 2018, absences granted during a leave of absence will be counted toward the required number of days spent in residence.
What are the Salary specifications?
The Home Office will require proof that you earn at least £25,600 yearly or the usual price for your profession. If your occupation is on the shortage profession list of Home Office, or if you were supported for a position that was on any of the lists as mentioned above when you put application for your Tier 2 visa. Your salary may be lower than £20,480 and still qualify you for ILR.
The Skilled worker visa ILR guidance says that to be eligible for Tier 2 leave to remain ILR, the applicant must earn £35,800 per year and hold either a T2 Sportsmen International Sportsmen or a Tier 2 visa.
Get the necessary English language skills.
An English knowledge course at CEFR or a degree learning English is required for ILR applicants. If the candidate is above 65, has a chronic medical condition, or is a native or permanent resident of a designated English-speaking country1, you are exempt from this norm.
What are the privileges of a dependent on a Tier 2 visa?
Work authorization for dependent visa holders is available in the United Kingdom, subject to certain conditions. They cannot practice medicine or dentistry, coach professional sports, or work in any other field requiring a medical or dental degree.
Tier 2 visa holders are permitted to:
- Stay in the UK for the same length as the primary tier 2 dependent visa owner.
- Generally speaking, work is required.
- Under certain circumstances, you may attend graduate school.
- Suppose you have been living in the UK continuously for 5 years, and the principal visa holder is eligible for settlement access or has already permanently settled. In that case, you can apply for UK ILR.
- Please apply to extend their visa in tandem with the principal applicant’s leave, provided they want to meet the criteria for the way and the primary applicant is still present in the United Kingdom.
Evidence of Financial Support for a Tier 2 Visa
To apply for a Tier 2 visa, you’ll need a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), an electronic document detailing your employer, and employment history. Contrary to popular belief, a Certificate of Authenticity (CoS) is not a physical document but a digital certificate reference number.
If you want to apply for a Tier 2 Visa, you’ll need the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) number that your employer will give you.
A Certificate of Sponsorship reference number is only suitable for one application and expires three months after it was issued.
How to Fill Out an Application
On the interview day, the dependent must bring a stack of paperwork for review. Past passports and original birth or marriage certificates will be required to prove the conditional’s relationship to the Skilled Worker visa holder and their ability to travel with them. All official documents must be translated into English if they must still in that language.
What is the duration of the procedure to get a visa for a family member?
It may take up to 12 weeks from your visa appointment outside the UK to receive a Dependant visa.
The application can be submitted with priority service for an additional fee, typically resulting in a decision being made within 5 business days.
Current service norms from within the UK are 8 weeks from the scheduled appointment date.
For a higher fee, you can get priority or even super priority service. With priority service, you’ll hear back within 5 business days; with keen emphasis, you’ll hear back within 24 hours.
Where Can I Go If I Have a Tier 2 Visa for a Dependent?
With a Tier 2 Dependent visa, you can do the following.
The following are things you cannot do:
- Submit a request for assistance or use government resources
- Earn a living by doing any of the following:
- A student at a medical or dental school
- One who competes in sports professionally
- One who makes a living by coaching athletes
How long will my family member’s dependent visa allow them to stay in the country?
Dependent visas are always issued under the sponsor’s status. If both parents are applying for a visa for their child but hold different lengths of stay, the permit will be issued following the parent with a shorter leave period.
Your dependent spouse or children may be eligible to apply for ILR if your status as a Skilled Worker has resulted in the grant of ILR for you or them. The dependent partner’s visa can be extended when it expires automatically for three years under the dependant route. Even if the dependent partner is not eligible for ILR at the same time as the Skilled Worker.
