- Eligible route
- Mainly postgraduate research at eligible institutions
- Not eligible
- Most undergraduate and taught postgraduate students
- Extra per dependant
- £845/mo London · £680/mo elsewhere (from 11 Nov 2025) — confirm on GOV.UK
- Partner work
- Usually permitted
- Children
- Can attend school; confirm rules on GOV.UK
Key takeaways
- Most undergraduate and taught postgraduate students cannot bring dependants — eligibility is now restricted.
- The main remaining route is postgraduate research (e.g. PhD) at an eligible institution, plus some government-sponsored students.
- Each dependant applies separately, pays their own visa fee and health surcharge, and needs extra maintenance funds.
- Dependant partners can usually work in the UK; dependant children can attend school.
- This is one of the most-changed areas of UK immigration — confirm eligibility on GOV.UK before committing.
Who can — and cannot — bring dependants now
Under the current rules, the ability to bring dependant family members on a Student visa is restricted. Most students on undergraduate and taught postgraduate courses cannot bring a partner or children. The principal remaining route is for postgraduate research students — for example, PhD or other doctoral-level candidates — studying at higher education providers that meet UKVI's criteria, along with certain students sponsored by a government scholarship. A 'dependant' generally means your husband, wife, civil or unmarried partner, and children who were under 18 when first applying as your dependant. Because this is the area of student immigration that has changed most in recent years, your specific course type, level and sponsor decide your eligibility — confirm it on GOV.UK before making any family plans.
The application and the extra money you must show
If you are eligible, each dependant makes their own online application and pays their own visa fee and immigration health surcharge. On top of your own financial requirement, you must show additional maintenance funds for each dependant — for applications made on or after 11 November 2025 that is £845 a month per dependant in London or £680 a month outside London, held under the same acceptable-account and 28-day rules as your own funds. UKVI reviews the per-dependant figure, so confirm the current amount on GOV.UK. Dependants usually apply at the same time as you or after you have your visa, and their leave is normally granted to match the length of your own.
Work, schooling and daily life for dependants
A dependant partner can generally work in the UK, including full-time and most employment types, which can make a real difference to a family's budget. Dependant children can attend school — state schooling is generally available, though you should research school places and admission timelines for your area early. Dependants also get NHS access through their own paid immigration health surcharge. Study UK Now assesses whether your course and institution make you eligible to bring dependants, calculates the full additional financial requirement, and coordinates the family's applications so they align with yours.
How Study UK Now helps with this
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Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my family on a UK Student visa?
Only in limited circumstances. Most undergraduate and taught postgraduate students cannot bring dependants. The main route that remains is for postgraduate research students (such as PhD candidates) at eligible institutions, and some government-sponsored students. Each dependant applies separately and you must show extra maintenance funds. Confirm your eligibility on GOV.UK before making plans.
How much extra money do I need to bring a dependant to the UK?
You must show extra maintenance funds for each dependant on top of your own financial evidence — for applications made on or after 11 November 2025 that is £845 a month per dependant in London or £680 a month outside London, held under the same acceptable-account and 28-day rules. UKVI reviews the figure, so confirm the current amount on GOV.UK before applying.
Can my dependant partner work in the UK on a student dependant visa?
Yes — a dependant partner can generally work in the UK, including full-time work and most employment types, which can help with family living costs. Dependant children can attend school. Confirm the current conditions on GOV.UK, as dependant rules have changed in recent years.
Sources — verified June 2026
Visa, fee and policy details change. Always confirm the latest on the official source before you rely on it.