Can I Bring My Partner to the UK as a Dependant on My Skilled Worker Visa?

If you’re in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa (formerly known as Tier 2), the good news is: yes, your partner can join you as a dependant. This applies whether you are married, in a civil partnership, or in a durable unmarried relationship. Below, we outline who qualifies, what evidence is required, and what rights your partner will have in the UK.

Who qualifies as a Dependant Partner?

To qualify as a dependant partner under the Skilled Worker route, your partner must fall into one of the following categories:

• Spouse or civil partner – you must be legally married or in a registered civil partnership.

• Unmarried partner – you must demonstrate that you are in a genuine and durable relationship, similar to a marriage.

While recent Home Office guidance and caseworker practice have softened the strict expectation of two years of cohabitation, the underlying legal requirement remains unchanged. As set out in RWP 5.1 of the Immigration Rules: Appendix Relationship with Partner, an unmarried couple must still demonstrate that they have been in a relationship “similar to a marriage or civil partnership” for at least two years before the date of application.

This means that, legally, a two-year duration remains a minimum threshold—but crucially, cohabitation is no longer the sole or automatic test of whether that relationship exists. The Home Office has recognised that couples may maintain committed, long-term partnerships despite periods of living apart—for example, due to work, study, or immigration status constraints. As a result, applicants may rely on a broader range of evidence to demonstrate the durability and nature of the relationship over the required two-year period. In practice, this shift allows for greater flexibility in how applicants prove their relationship but does not remove the need to show a two-year history. The emphasis is now on the genuineness and stability of the relationship—shown through shared finances, communications, travel, and mutual plans for the future—rather than simply on shared housing.

Ultimately, applicants who are not married or in a civil partnership should still be prepared to evidence a two-year committed relationship, but they can do so through a wider evidentiary lens than was previously accepted.

Therefore, even if you are currently living apart, your relationship can still meet the requirements for a durable relationship. There could be valid reasons for living separately, such as your unmarried partner studying in another country, work commitments, or immigration processes in another country. In these cases, a durable relationship can still meet the requirements, provided the relationship is durable, genuine, and ongoing, even though you are living apart. For instance, there may be evidence that you have lived together in a durable relationship in the past and plan to do so again in the future.

Evidence you will need

Your partner will need to submit clear and credible documentation demonstrating the nature and durability of your relationship. This includes:

For spouses or civil partners:

• A marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate (officially translated if not in English).

• Joint documents or correspondence that show the relationship is ongoing (e.g. recent travel, photos, joint bills).

For unmarried partners:

• Evidence that the relationship is genuine and has existed for a sustained period.

Other documents include:

• Joint tenancy agreements or mortgage documents.

• Shared utility bills, council tax letters, or bank statements showing a shared address.

• Photos together across different periods (dated if possible).

• Travel records (e.g. flight tickets, hotel bookings for trips taken together).

• Communication logs – screenshots or records of regular calls, chats, or emails.

• Statements from friends or family supporting the authenticity of your relationship (signed, dated, and officially translated if not in English)

A relationship statement (a short personal letter explaining your relationship history) may help to clarify the chronology of the application.

Financial requirement & visa fees

The Skilled Worker route includes a maintenance requirement, unless your sponsor certifies this on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Your partner must show they have at least:

• £285 in savings held for at least 28 consecutive days before applying, unless the main applicant’s employer ticks the "maintenance" box on the CoS.

In addition, the following fees apply:

If your dependant is applying from outside the UK, the standard fee depends on whether they will be in the UK for:

• up to 3 years - £769 per person

• more than 3 years - £1,519 per person

If your dependant is applying from inside the UK, the standard fee depends on whether they will be in the UK for:

• up to 3 years - £885 per person

• more than 3 years - £1,751 per person

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) will also be applicable. This fee is currently £1,035 per year for adults and £776 for dependent children.

Example A dependant applying for a 3-year visa will pay: £719 (application fee) + £3,105 (IHS for 3 years) = £3,824

The fees provided above are valid from1st of July 2025 and are subject to change by the Home Office.

Duration & Extension

Your partner’s visa will match the duration of your Skilled Worker visa. This ensures that they can remain in the UK with you throughout your sponsored employment period. If you extend your Skilled Worker visa or switch to a different immigration route that allows dependants, your partner may also apply to extend or switch their visa accordingly.

Dependant visas are typically renewable as long as the main applicant continues to meet the requirements of the Skilled Worker route and holds valid sponsorship. Your partner must continue to meet the requirements for a dependant under the Immigration Rules, including maintaining the relationship and (if applicable) having adequate maintenance funds or accommodation.

After spending five continuous years in the UK on the Skilled Worker route, both you and your partner may become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. However, eligibility is not automatic. You must both satisfy the continuous residence requirement (not having excessive absences from the UK), pass the Life in the UK Test, and demonstrate English language proficiency at the required level (if not exempt). Additionally, you must not have breached any immigration laws during your time in the UK.

Rights in the UK - Skilled Worker Visa

Your partner will enjoy full access to work, study, and services in the UK. Specifically, they can:

• Work full-time in almost any role (except for restricted roles such as sportspeople or doctors/dentists in training).

• Study at university or other educational institutions without needing additional permission.

• Travel in and out of the UK without restriction.

• Access the NHS, once the Immigration Health Surcharge is paid.

One of the major advantages of the Skilled Worker dependant visa is that there are no work restrictions for the partner. Unlike the main Skilled Worker visa holder, who must remain in the specific sponsored role, the dependant is free to work in any capacity, for any employer, or even be self-employed.

This flexibility means your partner can pursue full-time or part-time work, engage in freelance or consultancy roles, or start their own business. The only exceptions are limited to a small number of regulated roles, such as professional sportspeople or training doctors/dentists, where specific licensing or immigration permissions may be required.

In practice, this freedom gives families greater financial security and allows the partner to integrate into the UK market with fewer barriers. It’s a key benefit that distinguishes the Skilled Worker dependant route from other visa categories.

What About Children?

Dependent children can also be included in your application if:

• They are under 18, or

• They are over 18 but already in the UK as your dependant and not living an independent life (e.g. unmarried, not employed full-time, and living with you).

For a child over 18 to remain eligible as a dependant under the Skilled Worker route, they must already be in the UK as your dependant and must not be living an independent life. In practice, this means the child must still be unmarried, not in a civil partnership, and must not have any children of their own. They should not be working full-time or supporting themselves financially. Instead, they must continue to rely on you for their financial needs, including accommodation, food, and other essentials. Typically, they should live with you, although temporary absences for study—for example, staying in university accommodation during term time—are generally acceptable if they return home during breaks and remain financially dependent on you.

For example, a child aged 19 who is studying at university, lives in student halls, returns home during holidays, and relies on parental support for living costs would generally meet the requirement. However, a 20-year-old who has moved out, works full-time, pays their own rent, and is financially independent would not. The key issue is whether the child continues to form part of your household in practical and financial terms. If they do, they can continue to extend their visa as your dependant.

Documents required for children typically include:

• Birth certificates (showing relationship to the main applicant or partner).

• Evidence that they live with you (e.g. school letters, NHS registration).

• Written consent from the other parent if that parent is not applying with the family.

Need Help?

At Lace Law, we assist couples to navigate the Skilled Worker dependant visa process — from assembling evidence to preparing the full application. Whether you are married, in a civil partnership, or in a long-term relationship, we can guide you through every step.