- Eligible route
- Mainly postgraduate research at eligible institutions
- Taught / UG
- Generally not eligible to bring dependants
- Extra evidence
- Additional financial evidence required per dependant
- Source
- GOV.UK — confirm before making plans
Key takeaways
- Most taught postgraduate and undergraduate students cannot bring dependants — eligibility is restricted.
- Postgraduate research students at eligible institutions may be able to bring dependants.
- Each dependant requires a separate visa and additional financial evidence.
- Rules have tightened in recent years — always confirm your current eligibility on GOV.UK.
Who can and cannot bring dependants
As of recent UKVI rules, most students on taught postgraduate courses and all undergraduate students are not eligible to bring dependant family members to the UK on a Student visa. An exception exists for postgraduate research students (for example, PhD candidates) studying at higher education providers that meet UKVI's criteria. If you are eligible, your partner or children would each need to apply for a Dependant visa, and you would need to show additional financial evidence covering their maintenance costs.
Why you must confirm before making family plans
Dependant rules are among the most changed areas of UK immigration policy in recent years, and the detail matters enormously — the wrong assumption can derail a family's plans entirely. Study UK Now reviews your specific course, level and sponsor against the current GOV.UK rules and gives you a clear, accurate answer before you commit to any family travel arrangements.
How Study UK Now helps with this
Get expert, end-to-end help — from university matching to your visa.
Frequently asked questions
Can my spouse come to the UK with me on a student visa?
Your spouse may be eligible to join you as a dependant if you are a postgraduate research student at an eligible institution and meet the financial requirements, but most student visa holders cannot bring dependants. Always confirm your specific eligibility on GOV.UK — the rules are detailed and have changed significantly, and Study UK Now can check your individual case.
How much extra money do I need to bring a dependant to the UK?
You must show an additional set maintenance amount per dependant, held for the required period, on top of your own financial evidence. The exact amount is set by UKVI and changes — confirm the current figure on GOV.UK before applying.
Sources — verified May 2026
Visa, fee and policy details change. Always confirm the latest on the official source before you rely on it.