Can I bring my Dependants to the UK?
Dependants are:
• Your husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried partner or same-sex partner, and
• Your children aged under 18 years old.
As a Tier 4 student you can bring the above family members to the UK as your Dependants if you are:
• Studying at the University on a postgraduate course (NQF7 or above), or
• A new government sponsored student following a course of at least 6 months.
For further guidance on whether you can bring your family with you to the UK as your Dependant, please see the UKCISA website on Tier 4 Dependants.
If you do not meet the above criteria you may invite your family members to the UK for a visit. They should obtain entry clearance as a Visitor in their home country. See Inviting your friends and family to the UK for further information.
Students with Dependants applying from outside the UK
Dependants from outside the UK should ideally apply at the same time as you. Their application should make clear that they are accompanying you and that you will be here as a student. Dependants applying from outside the UK should complete form VAF 10.
If you are already in the UK on a Tier 4 visa, Dependants can apply separately to join you in the UK. You will need to use the form VAF10, and will need to show that you have the necessary maintenance for your whole family including yourself, even though you already have a visa.
Students with family members already in the UK as Dependants
We will discuss the PBS Dependants visa application criteria (for students with family members in the UK as Dependants who need to renew their visa) at our standard Tier 4 Visa Workshops.
Students who wish to attend the next Workshop should book a place.
Please print a copy of the 'Print and Send' for Dependants and bring it along with you to the Workshop. You will also need to bring along a copy of the Tier 4 'Print and send' application.
