The rules around who can bring family to the UK on a Skilled Worker visa changed significantly in July 2025, and the effects are still working through the system. If you're planning to bring a partner or children, or you already have dependants here and want to understand where things stand, here's what actually applies now.
The Skill Level Rule That Changed Everything
From 22 July 2025, only Skilled Worker visa holders in RQF Level 6 roles (graduate level) can bring dependants. This reversed a 2020 change that had opened the route to medium-skilled workers, and it removed around 180 occupations from eligibility overnight.
If your role sits below Level 6, the picture depends entirely on when you entered the route:
| Your situation | Dependants allowed? |
| In Skilled Worker route before 22 July 2025, continuously held | Yes, under previous rules |
| New application after 22 July 2025, RQF Level 6+ role | Yes |
| New application after 22 July 2025, TSL or ISL role (RQF 3-5) | No |
| Care worker or senior care worker (SOC 6135/6136) | No, with narrow exceptions |
The TSL and ISL exceptions only last until 31 December 2026, at which point those routes close entirely. Workers currently on TSL or ISL roles cannot bring new dependents regardless of how long they've been in the UK.
Who Counts as a Dependant
Your partner qualifies if you're married, in a civil partnership, or can prove you've been in a genuine relationship for at least two years. The Home Office scrutinises unmarried partner applications carefully. Two years of cohabitation need to be evidenced across the full period.
In case you have not been living together for the last 2 years, you can still qualify as a partner, but you must provide valid explanations as to why you could not live together e.g work/study commitments in another country.
Children qualify if they're under 18 and not leading independent lives. Children who turn 18 while in the UK as your dependant can usually continue, but children who are already 18 when you apply cannot join as dependants.
There's one narrow exception for TSL and ISL workers on the dependant ban: children born in the UK or where the worker has sole parental responsibility are still eligible.
What It Costs
Every dependant needs their own application, their own visa fee, and their own Immigration Health Surcharge. The IHS is £1,035 per year per person, paid upfront for the full visa length.
You also need to demonstrate maintenance funds: £285 for a partner, £315 for a first child, £200 for each additional child. These amounts must sit in your bank account for 28 consecutive days ending within 31 days of your application. One dip below the required balance during that period fails the test.
What Dependants Can Actually Do
Once here, the rights are broad. Your partner can work in any job, including self-employment, without separate sponsorship. No restrictions on sector, hours, or employment type.
Children attend state schools for free and access NHS care. Immigration specialists like A Y & J Solicitors note that families often underestimate the UK education enrollment process — school places aren't automatic, and popular schools in certain areas have long waiting lists, so applying early matters.
English Language Changes From April 2026
There is a new possible change regarding the English Language requirement. From April 2026, new dependent visa applicants may be required to demonstrate proficiency in English at level B2. This would apply to adult partners and be tested at the application stage. However, this change has not yet been confirmed or implemented in the Immigration Rules.
The Settlement Question
Dependant visas mirror your end date. When you extend, they extend. After five years of continuous residence, dependants can apply for ILR alongside you.
Continuous residence means not exceeding 180 days outside the UK in any single 12-month period. Families who travel between the UK and their home country regularly need to track this from the start, not retrospectively when the ILR application is being prepared.
The proposed settlement changes under the "Fairer Pathway" consultation could extend qualifying periods for some workers to 10 or 15 years for roles below RQF Level 6. This hasn't been confirmed in legislation yet, but worth monitoring if you're in that position.
Common Refusal Reasons
Relationship evidence doesn't cover the full two years. Maintenance funds dip during the 28-day window. Application not properly linked to the main visa through the GWF reference number. The dependent applies before the main applicant's visa is granted.
Bringing Family on a Skilled Worker Visa?
A Y & J Solicitors advises on dependant eligibility under the post-July 2025 rules, covering which thresholds apply to your specific situation, what evidence you need, and how to avoid the refusal patterns that come up repeatedly in these applications. Book a free call to get your situation assessed before you apply.