LONDON – The United Kingdom has clarified the requirements for partners and children of Skilled Worker visa holders seeking to join them, introducing financial and eligibility conditions that could affect thousands of foreign workers, including Pakistanis.
Under the UK government’s Immigration Rules, applicants must meet specific relationship requirements and demonstrate that they have enough money to support themselves.
The rules apply to family members applying from outside Britain and those already living in the country who wish to switch to a dependant visa.
The changes are particularly important for Pakistani professionals, nurses and care workers who plan to move to the UK with their families.
Who can bring family members to the UK?
Skilled Worker visa holders can generally bring their spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner or dependent children to Britain.
A partner must be at least 18 years old. Applicants must demonstrate that they are married, in a recognised civil partnership or have been in a relationship for at least two years.
Children must normally live with the Skilled Worker, unless they are away for full-time education. They must also not be married or in a civil partnership. However, not every Skilled Worker visa holder can sponsor dependants.
The UK introduced restrictions on care workers and senior care workers in March 2024. These workers can generally bring dependants only if they had continuous Skilled Worker permission in the relevant roles before March 11, 2024.
Similar restrictions apply to medium-skilled occupations. Workers in these roles generally need to have held continuous Skilled Worker permission in a medium-skilled job before July 22, 2025, to qualify for the relevant exemption.
Children born in the UK are covered by specific exceptions. Further exceptions also apply in certain family circumstances and to prison officers switching or extending their visas.
How much money do families need to show?
The UK government requires dependants applying from abroad, or those who have lived in Britain for less than 12 months, to demonstrate that they can support themselves financially.
The required maintenance funds are:
- £285 for a dependent partner.
- £315 for the first dependent child.
- £200 for each additional child.
Applicants must hold the required amount for at least 28 consecutive days. The funds must also be available within 31 days of submitting the visa application.
These amounts are separate from the £1,270 required for the main Skilled Worker applicant.
The money can be held by the dependant, the Skilled Worker or, in the case of a child, their other parent who is lawfully present in the UK or applying at the same time.
Families may be exempt from providing financial evidence if they have all lived in the UK with valid permission for at least 12 months.
An A-rated employer can also certify that it will cover the family’s maintenance costs during their first month in Britain.
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What the requirements mean for Pakistani applicants
The financial requirements can add to the cost of moving to Britain with a family.
For example, a Pakistani worker bringing a spouse and one child must demonstrate £600 in dependant maintenance funds.
The main applicant must also meet the separate £1,270 financial requirement. This brings the combined amount to £1,870, which must meet the relevant 28-day holding requirements.
However, these savings are separate from visa application fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
According to GOV.UK, a standard Skilled Worker visa application from outside the UK costs £819 per person for a stay of up to three years.
The Immigration Health Surcharge is usually £1,035 per year for adult applicants. Therefore, a three-year application for a partner would cost £3,924, including the visa fee and healthcare surcharge.
These charges can vary depending on the applicant’s visa category and circumstances.
Additional conditions for partners and children
Some dependant partners must also provide a criminal record certificate when applying from outside the UK.
This requirement applies to partners of workers sponsored in certain occupations. They may need certificates from every country where they spent at least 12 months, continuously or in total, during the previous 10 years while aged 18 or older.
The requirement may be waived if obtaining the certificate is not reasonably practical and the applicant provides an acceptable explanation.
Family members already living in Britain cannot switch to a dependant visa from every immigration category.
Restrictions apply to people currently in the UK as visitors, short-term students, seasonal workers and certain other categories.
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What happens after a dependant visa is approved?
A partner’s visa generally expires on the same date as the Skilled Worker’s permission.
If the main applicant receives settlement, the partner may receive permission for three years under the relevant rules.
A child’s visa normally expires when the earlier of their parents’ visas ends. However, different arrangements apply when both parents are settled or British citizens.
Approved dependants can work in Britain, including through self-employment and voluntary work. However, they cannot work as professional sportspersons or sports coaches.
They can also study, although adults taking certain courses may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate. Dependants cannot claim public funds.
Applicants applying from outside the UK generally receive a decision within three weeks. Those whose applications are refused may request an Administrative Review.
The UK government’s Skilled Worker visa guidance provides further information about eligibility, financial requirements and dependant applications.
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Key points:
- The UK has clarified the eligibility and financial requirements for Skilled Worker visa holders bringing spouses and children to Britain.
- Applicants must show £285 for a partner, £315 for their first child and £200 for each additional child.
- The required funds must remain in a bank account for at least 28 consecutive days.
- Most newly sponsored care workers and medium-skilled employees cannot bring dependants under the revised rules.
- Existing workers may qualify for exemptions if they held the relevant Skilled Worker permission before March 11, 2024, or July 22, 2025.
- Dependants must meet relationship, financial and other immigration requirements before receiving approval.
