You can apply for a Student Dependant Visa entry clearance to join a person currently residing in the UK on a student visa, studying or set to study an eligible course in the UK. The application process for the Student Dependant Visa entry clearance adheres to the requirements outlined in Appendix Student of the Immigration Rules. Upon the successful approval of the application, the applicant will be granted leave to remain in the UK until the expiration of the main applicant’s (the student’s) visa.

Aden & Co Solicitors are experts in UK immigration law, offering top-tier visa and immigration legal services. The excellence of our services is reflected in our 5-star Google Reviews rating, with 99% of clients expressing satisfaction with the support provided by our highly qualified and experienced immigration team.

Our dedicated team of dependant visa solicitors offers professional immigration guidance and legal representation on a fixed-fee basis for your Student Dependant Visa entry clearance application. You can ask our immigration solicitors for free advice online or schedule a consultation to receive in-depth guidance regarding your application process.

Requirements for Student Dependant Visa Entry Clearance

When applying for a Student Dependant Visa Entry Clearance from outside the UK, the applicant must fulfill specific criteria to ensure their application is approved by the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO). To successfully obtain approval, the following conditions must be met:

• Valid Application Submission: The applicant must submit a valid application in accordance with the guidelines outlined in Appendix Student of the Immigration Rules.
• Suitability of Partner or Child: The applicant’s partner or child must not fall under the grounds for refusal listed in Part 9 of the Immigration Rules, which details reasons for visa rejection.
• Student Course Requirement: The applicant must satisfy the requirements for a student course, ensuring eligibility for a Student Dependant Visa.
• Relationship Requirement: The applicant must demonstrate that they meet the relationship criteria as specified in Appendix Student of the Immigration Rules.
• Financial Maintenance Requirement: The applicant must provide evidence of sufficient financial resources, maintaining the required level of funds for a minimum of 28 consecutive days.
• Health Screening: If the applicant is applying as the partner or child of a student, and if paragraph A39 and Appendix T apply, a valid medical certificate is required. This certificate must confirm that the applicant has been screened for active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and found free of the condition.

Student Dependant Visa Requirements for Students and Their Families

To qualify for a Student Dependant Visa, the applicant must be the partner or child of an individual who meets one of the following criteria:

• Government-Funded Student: The person must be a student who has received a government-awarded scholarship and has, or is in the process of applying for, permission to study a full-time course lasting 6 months or more.
• Postgraduate Student: The individual must be a full-time student enrolled in a postgraduate-level course, lasting at least 9 months, at a reputable higher education institution known for its adherence to compliance standards.
• Doctorate Extension Scheme Participant: The applicant should be the partner or child of a student permitted to stay under the Doctorate Extension Scheme.
• Recent Full-Time Student: The individual must have been granted permission to study a full-time course of 6 months or more within the last 3 months and is now seeking permission for another course of the same duration or longer. In such cases:
  • The partner or child must have, or have had in the past 3 months, permission as a dependent partner or child of the student.
  • If the child was born since the last approval, both the student and the dependent family member must apply together.

Relationship Requirements for Dependent Partners of a Student Visa Applicant
If you are applying as a dependent partner of a student, there are specific relationship criteria that must be met to ensure eligibility:

• Eligibility of the Partner: The applicant must be the partner of a student or the partner of an individual applying for a student visa concurrently.
• Age Requirement: Both the applicant and their partner must be 18 years or older at the time of application.
• Relationship Status: If the applicant and their partner (who must be a student or applying for a student visa simultaneously) are not married or in a civil partnership, they must fulfill the following conditions:
  • They must have lived together in a relationship akin to marriage or a civil partnership for a minimum of two years before applying.
  • Any previous relationship between the applicant and their partner with another individual must have permanently ended.
  • The applicant and their partner must not be so closely related that they would be prohibited from marrying under UK law.
• Intention to Cohabit: The applicant and their partner must intend to live together for the entire duration of the applicant’s stay in the UK.
• Visa Duration: The applicant must not plan to stay in the UK beyond the duration of the visa granted to their partner (who must be a student or applying for a student visa at the same time).

Financial Requirement for Dependent Partner of a Student Visa Applicant

When applying for entry clearance, the applicant or their dependent partner (who must either be a student or submitting their application concurrently with the student) must demonstrate the necessary financial resources, as outlined in the table below. These funds must cover a period of 9 months or the length of the requested permission, whichever is shorter.

• To meet the financial requirements for a Student visa, the applicant must demonstrate that they possess sufficient funds in addition to the funds needed for their own financial obligation. This includes meeting the financial criteria for any dependent child applying simultaneously or already residing in the UK as a dependent child of the Student.
• In cases where the applicant is not relying on financial sponsorship from a government or international scholarship agency that covers both the applicant’s and the Student’s living expenses, it is essential to provide evidence that the required funds have been held for a continuous 28-day period, as detailed in Appendix Finance.
• If the applicant is not submitting their application alongside the Student’s, and Section ST 22.1 of the Immigration Rules does not apply, they must show that they have the requisite funds as outlined in Appendix Finance.
• Should the applicant’s account balance on the decision date fall significantly short of the required amount, the decision maker must be convinced that the funds spent have been used for legitimate expenses, such as paying a deposit for accommodation or covering other necessary costs related to the intended stay in the UK.

Relationship Requirements for Dependent Children of Students

For a child to qualify as a dependent of a Student, the applicant must be the biological child of a parent who holds or is concurrently granted permission under one of the following categories:

• As a Student; or
• As the partner of a Student.

Additionally, the applicant’s parents must either apply at the same time as the child or hold valid permission to stay in the UK (excluding visitor status). However, exemptions apply in the following cases:

• If the parent who holds Student or partner status is the child’s only surviving parent;
• If the parent with Student or partner status has sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing;
• Or if the decision-maker is convinced that serious and compelling reasons exist to grant the child entry clearance or permission to remain with the parent holding Student or partner status.
• In cases where the child was born in the UK to a Student or their partner, a full UK birth certificate, which includes the names of both parents, must be provided.

Care and Age Requirements for Dependent Children of Student Visa Applicants

• For dependent children under the age of 18, it is crucial to ensure proper care and accommodation arrangements in the UK that align with current UK legislation and regulations. This must be in place at the time of application.
• The child must be under 18 years old at the time of application, unless they were previously granted dependent status under a parent (P) who holds, or is applying for, a Student visa or is the partner of a Student visa holder. This requirement holds regardless of the specific visa route the parent held at the time of the child’s previous visa approval.
• For children aged 16 or older at the time of application, it is essential that they are not living independently. All care and accommodation provisions must be adequately arranged to ensure compliance with UK immigration regulations.

Financial Requirements for Dependent Children of Students: A Comprehensive Overview

When applying for entry clearance, the applicant or their parent must demonstrate the financial capacity to meet the required funds for the dependent child’s support. The funds must cover a minimum period of 9 months, or the duration of the requested permission, whichever is shorter. These financial requirements, as specified in the table below, are essential to ensure that the dependent child is adequately supported during their stay

• The required funds must be in addition to the amount needed for the Student to meet the financial criteria, along with any funds necessary for dependants applying alongside the Student or already residing in the UK as dependants of the Student.
• In accordance with ST 37.2, unless the applicant is relying on financial support from a government or international scholarship agency that covers the living expenses for both the Student and the applicant, the required funds must be maintained for a minimum of 28 days, as outlined in Appendix Finance.
• If the funds in the applicant’s account at the time of decision-making are significantly below the required amount as per ST 37.2, the decision maker must confirm that the spent funds have been used for legitimate expenses such as a deposit for accommodation or other costs related to the anticipated stay in the UK.

How We Can Assist You?

• At Aden & Co Solicitors, our dedicated team of expert immigration solicitors provides specialized legal advice and representation for your entry clearance application on a fixed-fee Our comprehensive fixed fee covers all necessary services until the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) makes a decision regarding your application. We ensure a thorough process, with the following key steps included in our services:
• Expert Guidance on Requirements: Our experienced immigration solicitors will provide you with precise advice on the essential criteria that must be met for a successful entry clearance application.
• Document Preparation and Advice: We will compile a detailed list of all supporting documents necessary for your application and send it to you promptly to ensure you submit everything required for success.
• Document Review: Our legal team will rigorously assess your documents to ensure they meet the strict requirements of the Immigration Rules, providing you with peace of mind.
• Application Form Completion: Our solicitors will accurately complete the relevant application form for your entry clearance application, ensuring all details are correct and complete.
• Priority or Super Priority Service Submission: Whenever possible, we will expedite your application by submitting it through the Priority or Super Priority Service, ensuring faster processing and decisions from the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO).
• Appointment Booking at the Application Centre: After submitting your online entry clearance application, our team will schedule your appointment at the application centre for biometric enrolment.
• Detailed Cover Letter Preparation: We will draft a detailed cover letter to support your application, outlining the legal requirements and demonstrating how your application satisfies all necessary criteria for approval.
• Online Document Upload: Prior to your biometric appointment, we will upload all required supporting documents to the online system, ensuring they are considered in the decision-making process.
• Ongoing Follow-Up: Our solicitors will handle all necessary follow-up tasks until a final decision is made by the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO), ensuring your application progresses smoothly.

Tailored One-Off Services for UK Entry Clearance Applications

At Aden & Co Solicitors, we offer a comprehensive range of specialized one-off legal services designed for UK visa entry clearance applications. These services are ideal for individuals who prefer not to engage our full-service package but still seek expert assistance throughout the application process. Our one-off services include:

Fixed Fees for Dependant Visa Applications – Aden & Co Solicitors

At Aden & Co Solicitors, we offer competitive fixed fees for dependant visa applications, ensuring transparency and peace of mind throughout the process. Below is a detailed breakdown of our fixed fees for various dependant visa services:

The agreed fixed fee will be determined based on the complexity of your application and the level of casework involved. Additionally, applicants are responsible for the Home Office UKVI fees associated with their application.