criteria outlined in Appendix Skilled Worker, you can apply to switch to a Skilled Worker Dependent visa. This application is submitted online through the Home Office UKVI website. For dependent partners, the applicant must be at least 18 years old on the application date. The application process adheres to the specific requirements set out in the Immigration Rules under Appendix Skilled Worker. You can opt for the Priority or Super Priority Service to expedite the decision on your application. Our team of expert dependent visa solicitors offers specialized immigration advice and legal representation on a fixed-fee basis for those switching to a Skilled Worker Dependent visa. You can ask our team questions for free immigration advice online or schedule an appointment for detailed guidance on your visa application.

Eligible Family Members for Switching to a Skilled Worker Dependent Visa

The following family members of a Skilled Worker can apply to switch to a dependent visa:

Spouse, civil partner, or unmarried/same-sex partner of the Skilled Worker

Children under 18 years old of the Skilled Worker Children over 18 can also qualify if they entered the UK on a dependent visa before turning 18 but have since reached adulthood.

Related Services:

Dependent Visa Entry Clearance

Dependent Visa Extension

ILR as a Dependent

Eligibility Criteria for Switching to a Skilled Worker Dependent Visa

To switch to a Skilled Worker Dependent visa, applicants must meet the following requirements: Valid Application: Submit a valid application for the Skilled Worker Dependent visa.

Switching Requirement: Fulfill the immigration status requirement for eligibility.

Relationship Requirement: Meet the relationship criteria as defined in Appendix Skilled Worker.

Age Requirement for Partner: The applicant must be 18 years or older on the application date if applying as a dependent partner.

Age and Care Requirement for Child: For dependent children, they must be under 18 on the application date unless they were previously granted permission as a dependent child. There must be appropriate arrangements for the child’s care and accommodation in the UK, in line with UK laws and regulations.

Suitability Requirement: The applicant must not be subject to refusal under Part 9: grounds for refusal.

Financial Requirement: The financial criteria must be met as per Appendix Skilled Worker.

Compliance with Immigration Laws: The applicant must not be in breach of immigration laws, except where paragraph 39E applies, in which case overstaying may be disregarded. They must also not be on immigration bail.

Who Cannot Switch to a Skilled Worker Dependent Visa?

Applicants cannot switch to a Skilled Worker Dependent visa if they are currently in the UK under the following conditions:

As a Visitor

As a Short-term Student

As a Parent of a Child Student

As a Seasonal Worker

As a Domestic Worker in a Private Household

Under any other category outside the Immigration Rules

Relationship Requirements for Dependent Partners of Skilled Workers

The applicant must be in a genuine relationship with the sponsoring Skilled Worker, who either already holds a Skilled Worker visa or is applying for one simultaneously. If the applicant and their partner are not married or in a civil partnership, they must have lived together in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years before applying. Additionally:

Any previous relationships of either the applicant or their Skilled Worker partner must have permanently ended.

The couple must not be closely related in a way that would prevent them from marrying or forming a civil partnership in the UK.

The relationship must be genuine and ongoing, with the intention of living together during the applicant's stay in the UK.

Relationship Requirements for Dependent Children of Skilled Workers

The applicant must be the child of a Skilled Worker who either holds or is applying for a Skilled Worker visa. Both parents must either be applying at the same time or already have permission to be in the UK, except in cases where:

The applying parent is the sole surviving parent.

The applying parent has sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing.

The non-applying parent is a British citizen or has an unrestricted right to enter or remain in the UK and is ordinarily resident in the UK.

There are compelling reasons for the child to stay with the parent applying for a Skilled Worker visa.

If the child was born in the UK to a Skilled Worker or their partner, a full UK birth certificate showing both parents' names must be provided.

Age and Care Requirements for a Dependent Child

A child applying as a dependent must be under 18 years old at the time of application unless their last permission was granted as a dependent child of their parent(s). If the child is 16 or older on the application date, they must not be living independently. For children under 18, appropriate care and accommodation arrangements must be in place in the UK, adhering to all relevant UK laws and regulations.

Financial Requirements

The Skilled Worker or their dependents must have sufficient funds to support themselves while in the UK. If the applicant has been lawfully living in the UK with permission for 12 months or more at the time of application, they automatically meet the financial requirement and do not need to show proof of funds.

For those who have not been in the UK for 12 months or longer, the required maintenance funds are as follows:

Partner of the Skilled Worker: £285

One child of the Skilled Worker: £315

Each additional child: £200

These funds must have been available for at least 28 consecutive days, with the 28th day falling within 31 days of the application date. In some cases, it may not be necessary to show these funds if the Skilled Worker’s A-rated sponsor certifies that they will provide financial support for the dependent partner and/or children during the first month of their stay in the UK.

Duration and Conditions of Leave

A dependent partner of a Skilled Worker who is switching to a Skilled Worker Dependent visa will be granted leave to remain until the same end date as their partner’s Skilled Worker visa. A dependent child will be granted leave that ends on the same date as the visa of the parent whose permission ends first.

The granted leave will be subject to the following conditions:

No access to public funds.

Permission to work (including self-employment and voluntary work), except as a professional sportsperson or coach.

Permission to study, subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS for applicants over 18.

Police registration may be required if Part 10 of the Immigration Rules applies.

Fast-Track Service for Skilled Worker Dependent Visa

Our team of immigration solicitors can expedite your visa application process using the Priority or Super Priority services, ensuring a faster decision. With these services, you won’t have to wait for months—or even years—for a decision on your application. We can prepare and submit your application quickly to get you a faster outcome. As specialist immigration solicitors in London, we are registered with the Home Office and UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) to offer Priority and Super Priority services. Applications submitted through the Priority Service are usually decided within five working days, while those submitted through the Super Priority Service are typically decided within 24 hours.

typically decided within 24 hours

Duration of UK Family Visitor Visa Application

Fast-Track Service for Visa Processing

Our team of immigration solicitors offers a fast-track visa service to help you get a quicker decision on your application using the Priority or Super Priority services. This ensures that you won’t have to wait for months or even years to receive a decision on your application. Our fast-track service includes quickly preparing your application and submitting it under the Priority or Super Priority services for a faster decision. We are registered with the Home Office, UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI), and its commercial partner UKVCAS Sopra Steria to offer these services, which typically result in decisions within five working days for Priority Service and within 24 hours for Super Priority Service.

UK Family Visit Visa Application Fee

How We Can Assist You

Our immigration solicitors offer expert advice and legal representation on a fixed-fee basis for your application. Our fixed fee covers all aspects of your immigration application until a decision is made by the Home Office. Our services include:
Advising on Requirements: We provide detailed advice on the criteria you need to meet for a successful application.
Document Guidance: We prepare and send you a comprehensive list of required supporting documents.
Document Review: We assess your documents to ensure they meet the necessary immigration rules.
Application Form Completion: We complete the relevant application forms on your behalf.
Priority Service Submission: Where applicable, we submit your application through the Priority or Super Priority Service for a faster decision.
Appointment Booking: We book your appointment at the application centre for biometric enrolment.
Detailed Cover Letter: We prepare a cover letter that explains how you meet the legal requirements with the documents provided.
Document Upload: We upload all supporting documents online before your biometrics appointment.
Follow-up: We handle all follow-up work until the Home Office reaches a decision.

Canada Visitor Visa fees

Our One-Off Immigration Services

In addition to full-service support, we offer a range of one-off legal services for UK visa and immigration applications. These services include:
One-Off Immigration Advice and Consultation
Document Checking Service
Application Form Completion
Submitting Applications Through Priority or Super Priority Service
Preparing Cover Letters for Applications
Uploading Supporting Documents Online

Fixed Fees for Skilled Worker Dependent Visa Applications

Our fixed fees for dependent visa applications range from £800 to £1,500 (excluding VAT), depending on the complexity and workload involved. These fees cover all our services from start to finish, including the submission of your application. Fee Table:

Entry Clearance: £800 to £1,500 (no VAT)
Switching to Dependent Visa (Super Priority): £800 + VAT to £1,500 + VAT
Extension of Dependent Visa (Super Priority): £800 + VAT to £1,500 + VAT
ILR as a Dependent (Super Priority): £800 + VAT to £1,500 + VAT
In addition to our fees, you will also need to pay the Home Office application fees.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Yes, under current Immigration Rules, you can switch from a student visa to a Skilled Worker Dependent visa while in the UK.

No, Immigration Rules do not permit switching from a visitor visa to a Skilled Worker Dependent visa within the UK.

Applicants who are in the UK as a Visitor, Short-term Student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, or Domestic Worker in a Private Household cannot switch to a Skilled Worker Dependent visa.

Yes, you can use these services to receive a faster decision on your Skilled Worker Dependent visa application.

The financial requirements depend on your length of stay in the UK. If you have lived in the UK for 12 months or more, you meet the requirement without needing to show funds. If not, specific amounts are required based on the number of dependents.

The child must be under 18 at the time of application, unless previously granted permission as a dependent child. If the child is 16 or older, they must not be leading an independent life.

Yes, you can switch from a T5 Temporary Worker visa to a Skilled Worker Dependent visa while in the UK.



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