Switching to a Skilled Worker Dependant Visa
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Who qualifies as a Dependant of a Skilled or Health Care Worker in the UK?
Dependents include children and the following types of partners:
- Spouses
- Civil partners
- Unmarried partners
Can I switch from my current visa to a Skilled Worker Dependant visa?
If you are in the UK with a valid visa (not a visitor/tourist visa) and you are married to (including a civil partnership) or are in a *long-term relationship (*an unmarried partner) with a Skilled or Health and Care Worker Visa holder, you would be able to make an application to switch to a Skilled/Health and Care Worker dependant visa from your current visa category.
As a spouse or partner applying to switch, you must be able to evidence that you are either in a marriage/civil partnership that is legally recognised in the UK. If you are applying as an unmarried partner, you must be able to prove that you and the Skilled Worker have been living in a relationship for at least 2 years at the time of submitting your application.
For children applying to switch, you must evidence that they also live with the Skilled Worker visa holder, unless they live away in full-time education, such as in a boarding school or university. They must not be living an independent life, i.e., living on their own, and/or have their own family.
Am I eligible to switch, and when can I apply?
If you switch to a Skilled Worker Dependant visa, your current visa will still be valid until its original date. You can apply to switch to a Skilled Worker Dependant visa any time before your current visa expires.
You cannot apply to switch to a Skilled Worker Dependant visa as a spouse/partner or child, if you are in the UK on any of the following visas: visit visa, short-term student visa, seasonal work visa, domestic worker in a private household visa, on immigration bail or were given permission to stay in the UK outside of the immigration rules.
Those who are in the UK on a Student visa can switch if they have completed the course they were sponsored to study or if they have studied for a PhD for at least 24 months.
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What is the Application Fee for a Skilled Worker Dependant Visa?
Below are the current Application Fees for the UK Skilled Worker Dependant Visa. Please note that these fees are subject to change; you can find the up-to-date visa application fees by visiting official gov.uk website.
Visa Fees for Applying Outside the UK
| Visa Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker has a certificate of sponsorship issued for 3 years or less | £719 |
| Skilled Worker has a certificate of sponsorship issued for over 3 years | £1,420 |
| Skilled Worker has a Shortgage occupation and certificate of sponsorship issued for 3 years or less | £551 |
| Skilled Worker has a Shortgage occupation and certificate of sponsorship issued for over 3 years | £1,084 |
Visa Fees Applying Inside the UK (Extensions/Switching from another Visa category)
| Visa Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker has a certificate of sponsorship issued for 3 years or less | £827 |
| Skilled Worker has a certificate of sponsorship issued for over 3 years | £1,500 |
| Skilled Worker has a Shortgage occupation and certificate of sponsorship issued for 3 years or less | £551 |
| Skilled Worker has a Shortgage occupation and certificate of sponsorship issued for over 3 years | £1,084 |
Is there a financial requirement I need to meet?
If you are switching to a Skilled Worker Dependant visa as a spouse/partner, you will need to show that you have money available to support yourself while you’re in the UK. As a spouse/partner you will need to show that you have £285. For children, the Skilled Worker will need to show that they have £315 for one child, and £200 for each additional child applying to switch as a dependant.
You must also show that the money is available for at least 28 consecutive days before the date of your application.
What am I allowed to do and not allowed to do?
As a Skilled Worker Dependant, you can do any of the following:
- work (except as a sportsperson or coach)
- study
- travel abroad and return to the UK
- apply to settle permanently in the UK (if you have lived in the UK for 5 years and have meet all other eligibility requirements).
- You cannot apply for public funds or State Pension.
What are the Documents that I need to Submit?

The documents you must submit will depend on you and your partner's circumstances. A general list of the documents include
- Your current Passport/s;
- Evidence of your current leave in the UK;
- Documents to prove your relationship (including proof of cohabitation if applying as an unmarried partner);
- Documents to prove you can financially support yourself;
- Proof of adequate accommodation;
For a
Complete List of Supporting Documents you will need to submit for your own UK partner visa application or switch, head over
here.
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While every effort has been made to ensure that the information and law contained in this article is accurate and current as of the date of publication, we accept no responsibility for its accuracy or for any loss or damages arising from accessing, or the reliance, of this guidance.
Please also note that the information does not represent a complete statement of the Law and does not constitute legal advice.
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