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.

Immigration Status Requirement for Switching to a Dependent Visa

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

 Outside the Immigration Rules

Student Course Requirement

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.

Relationship Requirement for Dependent Partners of a Student

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.

Appropriate Work Experience

Financial Requirements for the Dependent Partner of a Student

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.

Age

Relationship Requirements for the Dependent Child of a Student

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.

Education Levely

Age and Care Requirements for the Dependent Child of a Student

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.

Proof of Funds Statement

Financial Requirements for the Dependent Child of a Student

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.

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Priority and Super Priority Services for Switching to a Student Dependent Visa

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.

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How We Can Assist You

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.

Fixed Fees for Dependent Visa Applications

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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