Can You Bring Dependants on a UK Student Visa?

Are you planning to study in the UK in 2025, but the recent changes related to the Dependants policies are worrying you? The recent changes to the UK student visa rules on bringing Dependants now prevent most international students from bringing family members. This article presents details on the new UK student visa regulations on dependants for Indian students, clarifying who can still bring dependants.

For most Indian students, the idea of pursuing higher education in the UK is often linked to the possibility of having their family (dependants) accompany them. However, the new changes policy introduced by the UK government has put a limit on this possibility in 2025. Read this article to learn about the policies on bringing dependants on a student visa in the UK. 

The New Policy UK Student Visa Policy on Dependants

The new policy introduced by the UK government hinders international students enrolled on a taught postgraduate course from bringing their dependants to the UK. This change came as part of a broader government strategy to manage the net migration figures and ensure that the student visa route is primarily used for educational purposes. 

The policy change was a response to a significant increase in net migration in the UK, partly fueled by a rise in student visa dependant numbers. It was argued that the student visa dependant route saw a immigration policy abuse wherein people were using the student visa as a backdoor entry to come and work in the UK. This move was expected to reduce approximately 140,000 people coming to the UK after its implementation.

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Old vs New: What has actually changed for UK Student Visa Dependants?

It must be noted that the restrictions to bring the student visa dependants are imposed as per the level of courses opted by the students. According to the new UK Student Visa policies for dependants, only students enrolling on a research-based master’s course, a government-funded course lasting longer than 6 months and/or a master’s/PhD course above the RQF level 8 are allowed to bring their dependants. 

Here are the key changes and differences between the old and new policy for dependants of the UK student visa:

Key change: The primary change has been implemented for the students enrolling on a taught-master’s courses. Only these students are barred from the right to bring their families to the UK. 

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Who Qualifies as a Dependant on the UK Student Visa?

In a broad category, your partner and children are referred to as your dependants for a UK student visa. However, here’s further clarification on the same:

Note that anyone coming as a dependant on the UK student visa will need to provide proof of their relationship with the main applicant. The documents that can be presented as proof of your relationship are:

• a marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate, and
• The birth certificate of your child/children. 

Impact on Existing Student Visa Holders in the UK

Students who began their courses before the implementation of the new policy on January 1, 2024, operate under the old rules. That means their dependents can still apply for visa extensions as long as the student's visa is valid. 

For others, who began their courses after the introduction of the new visa rules, the new policies are to be followed. 

Summary: Which Courses in the UK allow Dependants along with Students?

In summary, international students enrolled in one of the following course types can bring their dependant family members to the UK:

1. Postgraduate Research Programs: This is the main category of students who retain the right to bring their family members. These types of courses include:
   1. PhD or other doctoral qualifications (RQF level 8)
   2. Research-based higher degrees, such as a Master's by Research (MRes). A key distinction is that the research component of the course must be larger than any taught component.
2. Government-Sponsored Courses: Students who are financially sponsored by a government for a full-time course lasting longer than six months are also eligible to bring their dependents. Note that this sponsorship must come from a national government, which could be the UK government or an overseas government.

This was all about bringing your dependants to the UK on a student visa. For information on studying abroad in the UK, reach out to Shiksha’s Counselling Services for free.