To be eligible for this switch, the sponsoring
student must meet specific requirements, including relationship criteria, course requirements,
maintenance funds, and immigration status requirements. The application for switching to a student
dependent visa is governed by the regulations outlined in Appendix Student of the Immigration Rules. A
successful application will grant the applicant leave to remain as a student dependent until the
sponsoring student’s visa expires.
How We Can Help
Our team of experienced dependent visa solicitors offers expert immigration advice and legal
representation on a fixed-fee basis for those applying to switch to a student dependent visa. With
extensive knowledge and a proven track record in handling student dependent visa applications, our
solicitors are here to assist you. You can ask our solicitors questions online for free immigration advice
or schedule an appointment for detailed consultation on your application.
Who Can Qualify for Switching to a Student Dependent Visa?
The following family members of a student may qualify for switching to a dependent visa:
Spouse, civil partner, or unmarried/same-sex partner of the sponsor
Children under 18 years old of the sponsor
Children who entered the UK on a dependent visa while under 18 and have since turned 18 can also
qualify.
Requirements for Switching to a Student Dependent Visa in the UK
To have a student dependent visa application approved by the Home Office UKVI, applicants must meet
the following criteria:
Valid Application: Submit a valid application for switching to a student dependent visa.
Switching Requirement: Meet the immigration status requirement for eligibility.
Relationship Requirement: Comply with the relationship requirements as specified in the
Immigration Rules.
Age Requirement for Partner: If applying as a dependent partner, the applicant must be 18
years or older at the time of application.
Age and Care Requirement for Child: If applying as a dependent child, the applicant must be
under 18 unless they were last granted permission as a dependent child. Additionally, suitable
care and accommodation arrangements in the UK must be in place, adhering to UK laws and
regulations.
Suitability Requirement: The applicant must not be refused under Part 9: grounds for refusal.
Financial Requirement: Meet the financial requirements as per the Immigration Rules.
Immigration Law Compliance: The applicant must not be in breach of immigration laws, except
in cases where paragraph 39E applies, and must not be on immigration bail.
Applicants switching to a dependent visa from within the UK must not have, or have last been granted,
permission under the following categories:
Visitor
Short-term student
Parent of a Child Student
Seasonal Worker
Domestic Worker in a Private Household
Outside the Immigration Rules
Unless the applicant is a child who meets the criteria in ST 31.2, they must be the partner or child of a
person who:
Is a student receiving a government award and has, or is applying for, permission to study a full-
time course of 6 months or longer.
Is a full-time student with permission to study a postgraduate-level course of 9 months or longer
at a higher education provider with a track record of compliance.
Has permission under the Doctorate Extension Scheme.
Has or had permission to study a full-time course of 6 months or longer within the last 3 months
before the date of application, and is now applying to study another full-time course of 6
months or longer. In this case, the partner or child must either have had permission as a
dependent partner or dependent child of the student within the last 3 months or been born
since the student’s last grant of permission.
If the applicant is a child who does not meet the ST.31.1 criteria, they must meet one of the following:
Born during the student’s current period of permission to study a full-time course of 6 months
or longer and applying during that period.
Born during the student’s original period of permission to study or during the period granted for
re-sitting exams or repeating a module.
Born no more than 3 months after the student’s most recent permission expired and applying
for entry clearance within 6 months of the expiration.
To qualify as a dependent partner of a student:
The applicant must be the partner of a student or a person applying at the same time as a
student.
Both applicant and partner must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
If not married or in a civil partnership, the applicant and their partner must have lived together
in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for at least 2 years before applying, any
previous relationships must have ended, and they must not be closely related to a degree that
would prohibit marriage in the UK.
The relationship must be genuine and ongoing, and the applicant and their partner must intend
to live together throughout the applicant’s stay in the UK.
The applicant must not intend to stay in the UK beyond the permission granted to their partner.
Established Residency: If the applicant has lived in the UK with valid permission for 12 months
or more at the time of application, they meet the financial requirement and do not need to
provide evidence of funds.
Recent Arrivals: If the applicant has been in the UK for less than 12 months and is applying to
switch to a dependent visa, they or their partner (who must be a student or applying
simultaneously) must have sufficient funds as outlined in the table below, covering a total of 9
months or the duration of the requested stay, whichever is shorter.
Location of Study Required Funds per Month for Dependent Partner
London £845
Outside London £680
Additional Financial Requirements: The required funds must be in addition to those needed by
the student and any dependent child who is applying simultaneously or is already in the UK as a
dependent.
Sponsorship Exceptions: Unless the applicant is supported by a government or international
scholarship that covers living costs, they must demonstrate holding the required funds for 28
days as specified in Appendix Finance.
Fund Verification: If the funds in the applicant's account fall significantly below the required
level on the decision date, the decision maker must be convinced that the funds were used for
legitimate expenses such as accommodation deposits or other costs related to the intended stay
in the UK.
Parental Status: The applicant must be the child of a parent who has or is being granted
permission as a student or as the partner of a student.
Parental Presence: Both parents must either be applying at the same time or already have
permission to stay in the UK (other than as a visitor). Exceptions include cases where one parent
is deceased, has sole responsibility for the child's upbringing, or there are compelling reasons to
grant the child permission to stay with the parent who is a student or their partner.
UK-born Children: If the applicant was born in the UK to a student or their partner, a full UK
birth certificate listing both parents must be provided.
Care Arrangements: If the child is under 18 at the time of application, suitable care and
accommodation must be in place, adhering to UK legislation and regulations.
Age Limitations: The child must be under 18 at the time of application unless they were
previously granted permission as a dependent child of a parent applying as a student or as a
partner of a student.
Independence: For children aged 16 or older at the time of application, they must not be
leading an independent life.
Established Residency: If the applicant has been in the UK for 12 months or more with valid
permission at the time of application, they meet the financial requirement and do not need to
show funds.
Recent Arrivals: If the applicant has been in the UK for less than 12 months, they or their parent
must demonstrate having the funds listed below, covering 9 months or the duration of the stay,
whichever is shorter.
Location of Study Required Funds per Month for Dependent Child
London £845
Outside London £680
Additional Financial Requirements: These funds are required in addition to the student’s own
financial requirement and that of any other dependent applying at the same time or already in
the UK.
Sponsorship Exceptions: Where relevant, the applicant must demonstrate holding the required
funds for a 28-day period, unless financially sponsored by a government or scholarship that
covers living costs.
Fund Verification: If funds in the applicant’s account fall significantly below the required
amount on the decision date, the decision maker must be satisfied that the funds were used for
legitimate expenses like accommodation deposits.
Our team of expert immigration solicitors offers fast-track services through the Priority and Super
Priority services, ensuring quicker decisions on your visa application. By using these services, you can
avoid lengthy waiting periods that can sometimes stretch into months or years.
Service Efficiency: Our solicitors will expedite your application preparation and submission
under the Priority or Super Priority service, aiming for a faster decision on your application.
Accredited Services: As a leading immigration law firm in London, we are registered with the
Home Office, UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI), and their commercial partners, UKVCAS Sopra
Steria, to offer these priority services. A Priority Service application is typically decided within 5
working days, while a Super Priority Service application is generally decided within 24 hours.
Our specialist team of immigration solicitors provides expert advice and fixed-fee legal representation
for switching to a student dependent visa from within the UK. Our fixed fee covers all the work required
until a decision is made on your application by the Home Office UKVI. The services we provide include:
Requirement Advice: Guidance on the requirements you need to meet for a successful
immigration application.
Document Assistance: A comprehensive list of necessary documents will be prepared and sent
to you to support your application.
Document Review: We will assess your documents to ensure they meet the immigration rules.
Application Form Completion: Our solicitors will complete the relevant application forms for
your visa switch.
Submission and Appointment Booking: Where applicable, we will submit your application
through Priority or Super Priority services and book your appointment at the application center
for biometric enrollment.
Detailed Cover Letter: A thorough cover letter will be prepared to explain how you meet the
relevant legal requirements.
Document Upload: We will upload all supporting documents online before your biometric
appointment.
Follow-Up: Continuous follow-up work will be done until a decision is made by the Home Office
UKVI on your application.
Service | Fixed Fee Range |
---|---|
Full service for dependent visa Entry Clearance | From £800 to £1,500 (no VAT) |
Full service for switching to a dependent visa within the UK via Super Priority Service | From £800 + VAT to £1,500 + VAT |
Full service for dependent visa extension within the UK via Super Priority Service | Service From £800 + VAT to £1,500 + VAT |
Full service for ILR as a dependent via Super Priority Service | From £800 + VAT to £1,500 + VAT |
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