CAN I BRING MY FAMILY WITH ME IF I HAVE THE GLOBAL TALENT VISA?
What is the Dependant Visa?
It is an entry document of a dependant family member, based on the main British visa category Tier 1 — Tier 5 (e.g. Entrepreneur visa, Global Talent visa, etc.).
The Dependant Visa allows the family member to join the Main Applicant in the UK from overseas, to accompany the Main Applicant in moving to the UK, or enables the family member, already resident, to continue living together with the Main Applicant in the UK. The Dependant Visa is valid for the same period of time as the main visa.
Who is a "dependant"?
A dependant is any of the following:
It is highly unlikely that other family members would be successful in claiming dependant status for the purposes of a Dependant Visa. Mind that you’ll need to show proof of your relationship when you apply for this visa type.
If your child is 16 or older, they must:
• Live with you (unless they are enrolled full-time in a boarding school, college, or university);
• Not be married, in a civil partnership, or have any children; and be financially supported by you without using any public funds.
Children may apply for a Dependant Visa if:
• Both parents are applying for entry-clearance at the same time, or;
• Both parents are already in the UK and the child is applying to join them, or;
• One parent is already in the UK and the other parent is applying for entry-clearance to join them along with the child.
To obtain a Dependant Visa as a spouse or partner, you must be the spouse or partner of someone who is either:
• In the UK on a relevant visa, or
• Applying for a visa at the same time as you are making your application for a Dependant Visa
You cannot apply under this route if you’re a dependant of the lead applicant
who is:
• On a visitor visa
• On a short-term student visa
• On a Parent of a Child Student visa
• On a seasonal worker visa
• On a domestic worker in a private household visa
• Granted permission to remain outside of immigration laws, such as on humanitarian grounds.
How to apply for a Dependant Visa?
Applications for a Dependant Visa can be made online from outside and inside the UK. Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee. They must apply before they travel to the UK.
If your partner or children are already in the UK (to extend or switch their visa), they can apply to switch visas in one of two ways:
• At any moment before their existing visa ends
• At the same time that you seek to renew or switch your own visa
This includes children who have reached the age of majority during your stay.
What to include in the application?
A marriage certificate (for the spouse) or birth certificate (for the child) or other evidence of your relationship. The said certificates should be translated to English (but the translation can be done by you or any translator — there’s no requirement to have an approved let alone apostilled translation).
If the lead applicant and the dependant are not married or in a civil partnership, they can demonstrate their relationship by providing evidence they have lived together for 2 years before the date of application. This can include:
Dependants will be invited to arrange an appointment at a UKVCAS service point to present their biometric details as part of their application. Supporting documents can be either scanned at their UKVCAS session or uploaded online.
The Dependant Visa could take up to 12 weeks to be processed if you have applied from outside the UK and up to 8 weeks after applying in the UK. You can also pay an additional fee to expedite the decision to 5 working days.
Fees
Additionally, you have to pay the healthcare surcharge (the amount depends on
the circumstances, you can calculate it here) and £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.
ILR
Dependants can apply for ILR after 5 years of living in the UK on a Dependant Visa. If they match the eligibility criteria (a residence requirement, a financial requirement, an accommodation requirement and the language (KoLL) requirement), family members of visa holders (such as Skilled Worker, Innovator, and Global Talent) who hold Dependant Visas can be included in the same ILR application.
Each person, whether the main applicant or a dependant, is charged the same ILR (£2389) and Super Priority (£800) fees.
Note that all ILR candidates over the age of 18 must meet the English language criteria and complete the “Life in the UK” test.
Applying for citizenship
The ILR is frequently regarded as a necessary step towards the British citizenship. You are eligible for British citizenship by naturalization if you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years and have had an ILR 12 months. You can apply for citizenship immediately following ILR if you are married to, or in a civil partnership with, someone who is a British citizen.
Work opportunities for dependants
The Dependant Visa allows its holder to live, work and study in the UK. Adult holders of the Dependаnt Visa have very flexible work options and can legally work in the UK as part-time or full-time employees.
They can also work in a self-employed capacity but there are restrictions on employment as a professional sportsperson or a Doctor/Dentist in training - they may not be hired unless they:
• Have obtained a degree in medicine or dentistry at the bachelor’s level or higher in a UK institution that is a recognized or listed body in the UK, or that is licensed as a sponsor;
• Have applied for leave to remain and have or were last granted entry clearance, leave to enter or leave to remain that did not restrict their employment and have been employed as a doctor or dentist in training during that period.
Moreover, a person with leave as the partner of a migrant cannot take employment as a professional sportsperson (including as a sports coach).
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