Skilled Worker Dependant — family route for spouse + children

Skilled Worker Dependants enjoy more generous rights than most other UK visa dependants — full work permission, free state education for children, NHS access via IHS, and clear settlement pathway.

For [MAIN_APPLICANT]'s [RELATIONSHIP] [DEPENDANT_NAME]:

§1 — ELIGIBLE DEPENDANTS (100-120 words)

Appendix Skilled Worker Dependant Partner permits:
  ▪ Spouse (legally married — Indian Hindu Marriage Act, Special Marriage Act, Muslim marriage with registration)
  ▪ Civil partner (under UK Civil Partnership Act; limited Indian equivalent recognition)
  ▪ Unmarried partner (2+ years cohabitation evidence; Appendix Skilled Worker Dependant 6.6)

Appendix Skilled Worker Dependant Child permits:
  ▪ Children under 18 at first application
  ▪ Children 18+ who have been previously granted as a dependant and remain in education

NOT eligible:
  ▪ Parents of main applicant (need own route — usually Adult Dependent Relative under Appendix FM)
  ▪ Adult children (18+) applying for the first time
  ▪ Siblings
  ▪ Engagement / fiancé(e) not yet married (own route — Fiancé(e) visa under Appendix FM)

§2 — RELATIONSHIP EVIDENCE FOR INDIAN APPLICANTS (150-180 words)

For spouse:
  ▪ Marriage Registrar's certificate (Indian municipal authority) — primary document
  ▪ Photos: wedding ceremony, reception, post-wedding family photos
  ▪ Joint financial accounts (if applicable)
  ▪ Joint property documents (if applicable)
  ▪ Travel together evidence (immigration stamps, joint hotel bookings)

For Indian-specific marriages:
  ▪ Hindu wedding photos + ritual evidence (saath phera, mangalsutra, etc.)
  ▪ Muslim Nikah-nama + registration certificate (BOTH required for UKVI)
  ▪ Sikh Anand Karaj + registration
  ▪ Christian marriage certificate (registered with state)

For unmarried partner (2+ years):
  ▪ Joint rental agreement
  ▪ Joint utility bills addressed to both
  ▪ Joint bank accounts
  ▪ Joint photographs across time
  ▪ Joint travel records
  ▪ Affidavits from family confirming relationship duration

For child:
  ▪ Birth certificate showing main applicant as parent
  ▪ If different surnames between parent and child: explanation
  ▪ Sole responsibility evidence if only one parent on visa

§3 — FINANCIAL MAINTENANCE FOR DEPENDANTS (100-120 words)

Under Appendix Finance:
  ▪ GBP 285/month × 9 months = GBP 2,565 for each dependant [VERIFY]
  ▪ OR partner-certified by sponsor on CoS (most efficient for large employers)
  ▪ Held for 28 consecutive days

For multiple dependants:
  ▪ Spouse: GBP 285 × 9 = GBP 2,565
  ▪ First child: GBP 285 × 9 = GBP 2,565
  ▪ Additional child: same per child

Source of funds:
  ▪ Joint account between spouses
  ▪ Main applicant's account
  ▪ Sponsor-certified
  ▪ NOT permitted: parent's account (only for main applicant; spouses must have own funds or be on main applicant's account)

§4 — FEES + IHS (80-100 words)

Application fees per dependant:
  ▪ Outside UK: GBP 719-1,500 (matches main applicant fee structure) [VERIFY]
  ▪ Inside UK (switching): same fees
  ▪ Priority / Super Priority: +GBP 500 / +GBP 1,000

IHS:
  ▪ GBP 1,035/year × duration per dependant (children typically same rate)
  ▪ Care home setting workers: same

For [MAIN_APPLICANT] + spouse + 2 children, 3-year application:
  Total IHS = GBP 1,035 × 3 × 4 = GBP 12,420

§5 — WORK + STUDY RIGHTS (80-100 words)

Skilled Worker Dependants have generous rights:
  ▪ Spouse: FULL-TIME WORK in any role (except elite sports)
  ▪ Spouse: SELF-EMPLOYMENT permitted
  ▪ Spouse: Multiple jobs permitted
  ▪ Spouse: Can be a director or shareholder of own company
  ▪ Children: free state school education (often 10+ years saving GBP 25,000+/year)
  ▪ Children: can attend independent schools (with own visa not required; fee-paying)

NHS access:
  ▪ IHS paid → full NHS access from arrival
  ▪ NO restriction on GP / hospital / prescription services

§6 — PATH TO ILR (80-100 words)

Skilled Worker Dependants:
  ▪ Same 5-year continuous residence path as main applicant
  ▪ ILR application alongside main applicant
  ▪ Continuous residence rules (Appendix CR): max 180 days absence per 12-month period per dependant
  ▪ Spouse: at ILR, must show genuine + subsisting relationship
  ▪ Children: at ILR application, must be under 18 OR continuously in UK education
  ▪ Each dependant pays own ILR fee (GBP 2,885 each [VERIFY])

After ILR:
  ▪ Each dependant can apply for British Citizenship after 12 months on ILR (and 5 years continuous residence)

§7 — APPLICATION TIMING + DOCUMENTS (80-100 words)

When dependants apply:
  ▪ With main applicant (simultaneous) — most common
  ▪ After main applicant granted (subsequent) — also permitted
  ▪ Switching family member who is currently in UK on different visa — in-country application possible

Document bundle per dependant:
  □ Passport bio page
  □ Marriage / relationship certificate
  □ Photos of relationship history
  □ Joint financial evidence
  □ Children: birth certificate + parental responsibility evidence
  □ TB test (for stays 6+ months)
  □ Police certificates if relevant
  □ IHS payment
  □ Application fee

End with: "DRAFT — for OISC/IAA-registered adviser or solicitor review. Indian marriages must include civil registration certificate, not only religious ceremony evidence. For unmarried partners, the 2-year cohabitation evidence must be substantial — UKVI scrutinises this category. Cross-check sponsor's CoS for partner-certified maintenance to reduce evidence burden."