Bringing your family

Family members can apply to join you or to stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’.   

Before you apply

What family members can come as my dependants?

Dependants are defined as any of the following:

  • Husband, wife or civil partners
  • Unmarried partner (the Home Office normally expect that you’ve lived together with your partner in a relationship ‘akin to marriage’ for at least 2 years, however there are exceptions to this i.e. where you can show it’s a durable relationship and there are/were good reasons for living apart).
  • Children under 18 (a child aged 16 or over must not be leading an independent life)

Adult children and other relatives

Children who are 18 years old or older on the date of application, and who have not previously been granted permission as a dependent of the main (Global Talent) applicant, cannot be granted permission as a dependent child. Other relatives, for example, parents or grandparents, cannot apply.

Requirements to be met

Relationship requirements

You must have entered into a recognised marriage or civil partnership and provide evidence of this relationship – i.e. a certificate with a certified translation, if not in English.


Normally, you must have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage/civil partnership for at least 2 years, and provide documentary evidence confirming this. For example, letters addressed to you separately or jointly at the same address throughout the two-year period.

However, there are exceptions to this rule, so long as you can show you are in a durable relationship with your partner and that there were good reasons why you could not live together for all or part of the 2 or more years. Evidence to support these reasons is important and it will be important to get legal advice on this.


Partners must not be in a polygamous or polyandrous marriage or civil partnership (unless an exception applies).


You must not be so closely related that you would not be allowed to marry or form a civil partnership in the UK.


You must intend to live together throughout the applicant’s stay in the UK. There is no clear guidance on this but we would recommend you include a covering letter outlining the history of your relationship, with evidence of living together (eg cohabitation documents) or contact during times apart.


Applying for your child

Original birth certificate or adoption/court documents must show the full names of both parents.


Unless one of the following applies:

  • the parent with permission is the sole surviving parent
  • the parent with permission has sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing
  • the parent who does not have permission is a British citizen or a person who has a right to enter or stay in the UK without restriction (and who therefore would not apply for permission) - such persons must, however, be (or will be) ordinarily resident in the UK

The UKVI may also grant a child entry if there are “serious and compelling reasons” however this is a legal test, and it is advisable to seek legal advice if it applies to you.


The UKVI must be satisfied that any child dependant will be living with the main Global Talent visa holder and any dependant partner in a suitable care arrangement that meets relevant UK legislation, unless they are aged 18 or over.


A dependent child must still be wholly or mainly financially dependent on the Global Talent visa holder or their dependent partner.

They cannot be married or in a civil partnership.

The UKVI will assess all evidence provided with an application to decide if a child is still dependent on their parent or parents. 

Evidence to meet this requirement includes:

  • bank or building society statement (which may show funds that their parent is providing to support them)
  • credit card bills
  • driving licence
  • NHS registration document
  • an official letter from their current school, college or university that confirms their address

If a dependent child pays rent or board, they must evidence the amount they pay each month.

If the dependent child is living at a separate address, you must be satisfied this is due to study elsewhere. Evidence of this can include:

  • official confirmation of their studies from their school, college or university
  • evidence that they are being financially supported by their parents up to the point they are applying (for example, evidence covering a 3-month period prior to the application)

Where can my dependants apply from?

They can apply at the same time or submit an application to join you at a later date.  A dependant visa will be given the same end date as the main applicant's Global Talent visa.

A child will be granted permission which ends on the same date as whichever of their parents’ permission ends first, unless both parents have (or are being granted) settlement or British Citizenship, in which case the child will be granted permission for 3 years.

The application process depends on whether you are applying from outside or inside the UK.

Children born in the UK

If you have children while you’re in the UK on the Global Talent visa route, they do not automatically become British citizens (unless one of the parents has indefinite leave to remain or is a British citizen).

You can apply online for their dependant visa. You must do this if you want to travel in and out of the UK with your child.

You’ll need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.

Can my dependants work and study in the UK?

Any dependants who are aged 16 years or over will be able to work full time in the UK.  There are no restrictions on the type of work they can do except:

  • No work as a professional sportsperson or coach

There are no restrictions on study for dependants although if studying on a programme that requires ATAS clearance then they will need to obtain an ATAS certificate before they can commence their programme.

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