Skilled Worker Dependant — family route for spouse + children
Skilled Worker Dependant route — generous work + study rights for family members.
UKSkilled Worker DependantSpouseChildrenAppendix Skilled Worker
Skilled Worker Dependants enjoy more generous rights than most other UK visa dependants — full work permission, free state education for children, NHS access via IHS, and clear settlement pathway. For [MAIN_APPLICANT]'s [RELATIONSHIP] [DEPENDANT_NAME]: §1 — ELIGIBLE DEPENDANTS (100-120 words) Appendix Skilled Worker Dependant Partner permits: ▪ Spouse (legally married — Indian Hindu Marriage Act, Special Marriage Act, Muslim marriage with registration) ▪ Civil partner (under UK Civil Partnership Act; limited Indian equivalent recognition) ▪ Unmarried partner (2+ years cohabitation evidence; Appendix Skilled Worker Dependant 6.6) Appendix Skilled Worker Dependant Child permits: ▪ Children under 18 at first application ▪ Children 18+ who have been previously granted as a dependant and remain in education NOT eligible: ▪ Parents of main applicant (need own route — usually Adult Dependent Relative under Appendix FM) ▪ Adult children (18+) applying for the first time ▪ Siblings ▪ Engagement / fiancé(e) not yet married (own route — Fiancé(e) visa under Appendix FM) §2 — RELATIONSHIP EVIDENCE FOR INDIAN APPLICANTS (150-180 words) For spouse: ▪ Marriage Registrar's certificate (Indian municipal authority) — primary document ▪ Photos: wedding ceremony, reception, post-wedding family photos ▪ Joint financial accounts (if applicable) ▪ Joint property documents (if applicable) ▪ Travel together evidence (immigration stamps, joint hotel bookings) For Indian-specific marriages: ▪ Hindu wedding photos + ritual evidence (saath phera, mangalsutra, etc.) ▪ Muslim Nikah-nama + registration certificate (BOTH required for UKVI) ▪ Sikh Anand Karaj + registration ▪ Christian marriage certificate (registered with state) For unmarried partner (2+ years): ▪ Joint rental agreement ▪ Joint utility bills addressed to both ▪ Joint bank accounts ▪ Joint photographs across time ▪ Joint travel records ▪ Affidavits from family confirming relationship duration For child: ▪ Birth certificate showing main applicant as parent ▪ If different surnames between parent and child: explanation ▪ Sole responsibility evidence if only one parent on visa §3 — FINANCIAL MAINTENANCE FOR DEPENDANTS (100-120 words) Under Appendix Finance: ▪ GBP 285/month × 9 months = GBP 2,565 for each dependant [VERIFY] ▪ OR partner-certified by sponsor on CoS (most efficient for large employers) ▪ Held for 28 consecutive days For multiple dependants: ▪ Spouse: GBP 285 × 9 = GBP 2,565 ▪ First child: GBP 285 × 9 = GBP 2,565 ▪ Additional child: same per child Source of funds: ▪ Joint account between spouses ▪ Main applicant's account ▪ Sponsor-certified ▪ NOT permitted: parent's account (only for main applicant; spouses must have own funds or be on main applicant's account) §4 — FEES + IHS (80-100 words) Application fees per dependant: ▪ Outside UK: GBP 719-1,500 (matches main applicant fee structure) [VERIFY] ▪ Inside UK (switching): same fees ▪ Priority / Super Priority: +GBP 500 / +GBP 1,000 IHS: ▪ GBP 1,035/year × duration per dependant (children typically same rate) ▪ Care home setting workers: same For [MAIN_APPLICANT] + spouse + 2 children, 3-year application: Total IHS = GBP 1,035 × 3 × 4 = GBP 12,420 §5 — WORK + STUDY RIGHTS (80-100 words) Skilled Worker Dependants have generous rights: ▪ Spouse: FULL-TIME WORK in any role (except elite sports) ▪ Spouse: SELF-EMPLOYMENT permitted ▪ Spouse: Multiple jobs permitted ▪ Spouse: Can be a director or shareholder of own company ▪ Children: free state school education (often 10+ years saving GBP 25,000+/year) ▪ Children: can attend independent schools (with own visa not required; fee-paying) NHS access: ▪ IHS paid → full NHS access from arrival ▪ NO restriction on GP / hospital / prescription services §6 — PATH TO ILR (80-100 words) Skilled Worker Dependants: ▪ Same 5-year continuous residence path as main applicant ▪ ILR application alongside main applicant ▪ Continuous residence rules (Appendix CR): max 180 days absence per 12-month period per dependant ▪ Spouse: at ILR, must show genuine + subsisting relationship ▪ Children: at ILR application, must be under 18 OR continuously in UK education ▪ Each dependant pays own ILR fee (GBP 2,885 each [VERIFY]) After ILR: ▪ Each dependant can apply for British Citizenship after 12 months on ILR (and 5 years continuous residence) §7 — APPLICATION TIMING + DOCUMENTS (80-100 words) When dependants apply: ▪ With main applicant (simultaneous) — most common ▪ After main applicant granted (subsequent) — also permitted ▪ Switching family member who is currently in UK on different visa — in-country application possible Document bundle per dependant: □ Passport bio page □ Marriage / relationship certificate □ Photos of relationship history □ Joint financial evidence □ Children: birth certificate + parental responsibility evidence □ TB test (for stays 6+ months) □ Police certificates if relevant □ IHS payment □ Application fee End with: "DRAFT — for OISC/IAA-registered adviser or solicitor review. Indian marriages must include civil registration certificate, not only religious ceremony evidence. For unmarried partners, the 2-year cohabitation evidence must be substantial — UKVI scrutinises this category. Cross-check sponsor's CoS for partner-certified maintenance to reduce evidence burden."
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