The Global Talent visa allows the main applicant to bring their family members (dependents) to the UK. In this article we will look at the basic requirements for a Dependent Visa, unmarried partners, documents required to prove the relationship, the application process and other important nuances.

What is a Dependent Visa?

It is an entry document for a family member of a dependent person based on the UK’s main Tier 1 to Tier 5 visa category (including the Global Talent visa).

The Dependent Visa allows a family member to join the main applicant in the UK from abroad, accompany the main applicant when moving to the UK or allows a family member already resident to continue living with the main applicant in the UK. The dependent visa is valid for the same period of time as the main visa. Please note that you will need to provide evidence of your relationship when applying for this type of visa.

Who is considered a ‘dependent’?

A dependent is any of the following:

  • our spouse, domestic partner or unmarried partner
  • Your child under the age of 18 – including those born in the UK during your stay
  • Your child over the age of 18 if they are currently living in the UK as your dependent.
  • Dependent children

If your child is 16 or over, they must:

  • Live with you (unless he or she is studying full-time at boarding school, college or university)
  • Not be married or married, in a civil partnership or have children
  • Be financially supported by you without using public funds

Children can apply for a Dependent Visa if:

  • Both parents are applying for entry 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 is applying for entry to join with the child.

Dependent unmarried partners

You can bring your unmarried partner if you have lived together for more than 2 years and can prove it.

2 years of cohabitation is the minimum requirement and there is no way around it unless you are legally married.

Documents to prove cohabitation:

  • Lease agreement/documents confirming the ownership right
  • Joint bank account statement
  • Utility bills or council tax
  • Passports/IDs/driving licenses showing residential address
  • Joint subscriptions to various services
  • A letter from the landlord confirming cohabitation
  • Joint airline tickets
  • Hotel/airbnb reservations
  • Official correspondence or documents linking the main applicant and their partner showing that they live at the same address

Documents proving your relationship:

  • Letters from family and friends confirming your close relationship and residential address
  • Photographs
  • Screenshots of correspondence and/or call logs

Dependent Married Partners

If you are legally married, the Dependent visa requirements are less stringent – you only need to prove the relationship with a marriage certificate.

How do I apply for a Dependent Visa?

You can apply for a Dependent Visa online either from within the country (if you are in the UK on another type of visa) or from outside the UK.

If your partner or children are already in the UK (to extend or change their visa), they can apply for a replacement visa:

  • At any time before their existing visa expires, or
  • At the same time that you, as the main applicant, are applying for a Global Talent visa, that is, after you have been approved by Tech Nation
  • You can read more about the endorsement on our blog, and take our assessment test to get detailed feedback from our team.
  • Unicorn Visa can help you build a successful case and apply for approval from Tech Nation.

What else should I include in the application?

  • The principal applicant’s unique application number (UAN). This is their visa application number, which can be found on their own PBS application (usually in lines 2 and 3)
  • Passport or other valid document (yours and the principal applicant’s)
  • Marriage certificate (for spouse) or birth certificate (for child) or other proof of your relationship