If you have recently finished your studies in the UK and want your family to stay with you, the graduate dependent visa exists for exactly this purpose. But the rules are strict and the details matter.
A graduate dependent visa lets eligible partners and children of Graduate visa holders stay in the UK, but only if they already held dependant status under a Student or Tier 4 visa (or were born in the UK during that period). New dependants generally cannot join you from overseas under the Graduate route; planning during your student visa stage is essential.
The Graduate visa lasts 2 years for most graduates (or 3 years for PhD holders), and dependants’ visas end on the same date. There is no financial maintenance requirement for graduate dependants, but evidence of your relationship and immigration history is critical.
We at Axis Solicitors guide families through Appendix Graduate and dependant rules, including complex situations such as children born in the UK or partners with unusual immigration histories. In this guide, we explain who qualifies, how to apply and how to avoid common mistakes.
What Is a Graduate Dependent Visa?
A graduate dependent visa is permission granted to an eligible dependant partner or dependant child of a person holding a UK Graduate visa to live in the UK. The Graduate visa, sometimes called the post-study work (PSW) route, allows international students to stay in the UK after completing an eligible higher education course. The dependant version lets existing family members continue living with the visa holder during that period.
You may see this referred to as a PSW dependent visa, or graduate route dependants. Officially, it falls under Appendix Graduate of the UK Immigration Rules. The route mirrors the main Graduate visa in length and conditions: it does not directly lead to settlement, and the graduate dependant route does not count towards indefinite leave to remain.
However, graduate dependent visa can act as a stepping stone to other visa categories that do lead to settlement. We at Axis Solicitors advise international students and graduates across the UK on how these rules work in practice, especially in complex family situations.
Who Can Be a Graduate Dependant?
UKVI applies strict eligibility criteria when deciding who counts as a graduate dependant. Not every partner or child will qualify. The key question is whether the family member already held valid permission as a dependant under the Student or Tier 4 visa, or was born in the UK during that period.
There are two main categories:
- Dependant partner: a spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner who was already your dependant on your student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa.
- Dependant child: a child who was listed as your dependant on your Student or Tier 4 visa, or who was born in the UK while you held that permission.
Each family member must show that the relationship still exists and that they remain genuinely part of your household. For example, a spouse who was your dependant throughout your studies would normally qualify. However, a partner you married after your course ended, and who was never listed as your dependant, would typically not be eligible under the Graduate route.
Eligible Partners: Can Your Spouse or Partner Stay With You?
If you are asking “can I bring my wife or husband on a Graduate visa?”, the short answer is: yes. But only if they already held permission as your dependents on student visa or Tier 4 visa before you applied under the Graduate route. New relationships formed after your studies usually cannot be added from overseas.
The following relationships qualify:
- Spouse (legally married)
- Civil partner
- Unmarried partner with at least 2 years of cohabitation evidence
Typical evidence for a graduate visa spouse or partner application includes:
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate
- Joint tenancy agreements
- Joint bank statements
- Council tax or utility bills in both names
If you have not been living together, for example because of study accommodation arrangements or cultural reasons, you must show ongoing commitment through regular communication, financial support, joint visits, or caring for children together.
Eligible Children: Who Counts as a Dependant Child?
The rules differ depending on whether your child is under or over 18. Most graduate visa children must already have been listed as dependants on your Student or Tier 4 visa to switch to the Graduate route.
Children born in the UK during your studies who were never previously included in your immigration applications can still qualify, but they need their own separate application with supporting documents.
Evidence typically required for dependant children includes:
- Full UK birth certificate naming both parents
- Letters from school, college, or GP
- Official letters showing the same home address as the main applicant
- Bank statements or NHS registration in the child’s name
Children over 18 must show they are not living an independent life. This means demonstrating that they remain financially and emotionally dependent on you, share your home address, and do not live wholly separately.
Children Born in the UK While You Were Studying
Children born in the UK are not automatically British citizens. Even if your child was born here while you held a valid student visa, they do not gain British nationality unless other citizenship criteria are met. To live and travel lawfully in the UK, children born in the UK during the Student visa or Graduate visa period need a dependant visa.
The key evidence for these applications is a full UK birth certificate naming both parents, along with proof of the main applicant’s immigration status at the time of the child’s birth. A recent rule change effective from 3 August 2026 now allows babies born during graduate permission to apply as dependants, aligning the rules for children born during both Student and Graduate visa periods.
A graduate dependant visa is often the first step for these children. They may later qualify for settlement or British citizenship as the family’s immigration journey progresses. We can advise parents on whether and when a child might become British, including in complex nationality cases.
Key Eligibility Rules Under Appendix Graduate
Appendix Graduate is the part of the UK Immigration Rules that governs the Graduate visa application and its dependants. The main requirements for a graduate dependent visa application are:
- The main applicant holds a valid Graduate visa (or applies at the same time)
- The dependant previously held leave as a dependant under the Student or Tier 4 visa, or was born in the UK during that leave
- The relationship or parent-child link is genuine and continuing
- Suitability requirements are met (no immigration breaches, not on immigration bail)
A few important points set this route apart:
- No English language test is required for dependants.
- No financial maintenance requirement applies. Graduate dependants do not need to show financial support evidence, and you should not include generic maintenance bank statements. No 28-day bank statements are needed.
- Evidence must focus on relationship and immigration history, not savings.
- Previous leave under the doctorate extension scheme normally prevents switching to the Graduate visa, and therefore its dependant route.
Rules change regularly. The information in this article is correct at the time of writing (August 2026), but we always recommend checking the latest position or speaking to our team for up-to-date advice.
When and Where Can Graduate Dependants Apply?
Graduate visa applications must be made from within the UK, and the same applies to dependant applications. Under current Graduate route policy, new family members generally cannot apply from overseas to join as graduate route dependants. Only family members who already held dependant status in the UK (or were born here) are eligible.
Dependants can apply at the same time as the main applicant’s Graduate visa application or after the Graduate visa is granted, provided the eligibility criteria are met. All applications must be applied online, and each family member needs their own separate form and fee.
We can help families plan the best sequence of applications to avoid gaps in immigration status or the risk of overstaying.
Graduate Dependant Visa Application Process
The application process is digital and largely the same across the UK. Here are the main steps:
- Prepare documents: Gather passports, biometric residence permit or eVisa details, proof of relationship, child birth certificates, proof of address, and evidence of previous Student or Tier 4 dependant status.
- Complete the online form: Each dependant must submit a separate online application. The main applicant must wait for successful course completion before applying for the Graduate visa, and dependants link their forms using the main applicant’s Unique Application Number (UAN).
- Pay fees: The application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge must be paid online during the process.
- Prove identity: Biometric information must be provided, either via the ID check app or at a UKVCAS service point.
- Wait for a decision: UKVI typically takes up to 8 weeks to process applications after all documents and identity verification are submitted.
Leaving the UK before a decision is made can result in the application being withdrawn. We at Axis Solicitors can complete or review forms, upload evidence, and liaise with UKVI where appropriate, helping to reduce errors and delays.
Documents Needed for Graduate Dependant Applications
Exact requirements depend on personal circumstances, but the following core documents are typically needed:
- Valid passport for each dependant
- Biometric residence permit or eVisa details
- Marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate, or evidence of 2 years’ cohabitation (for partners)
- Full UK birth certificate (for children born in the UK)
- Proof of address (bank statements, GP registration, school letters)
- Evidence of prior Student or Tier 4 dependant status
- If the main applicant was sponsored by an international scholarship agency covering tuition fees and living costs in the last 12 months, a letter from the scholarship or sponsorship provider to provide written consent is required
- Any non-English or non-Welsh documents must be accompanied by certified translations meeting UKVI standards
Applicants should not include generic maintenance bank statements. The focus must be on proving the relationship, the child’s dependency, and prior immigration history.
Fees, Costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
There are two main costs for a graduate dependent visa: the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
| Cost | Amount (2026) |
| Application fee per dependant | £822 |
| IHS (adults aged 18+) | £1,035 per year |
| IHS (under 18) | £776 per year |
The application fee for each dependant is £822. The healthcare surcharge is payable upfront for the full duration of the visa and covers access to public sector healthcare on broadly the same basis as UK residents.
For a 2-year graduate dependant visa, an adult dependant would pay approximately £2,070 in IHS on top of the application fee. Visa fees change regularly, so we recommend checking the latest figures on the official government website or speaking to us before submitting your application.
Work, Study and Travel Rights for Graduate Visa Dependants
Graduate dependants can work in the UK without restrictions. Most adult dependants can take full-time employment, be self employed, or do voluntary work in almost any role. The only exception is that dependants cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.
Dependants can study without needing a separate student visa. Most courses are open to them, although ATAS clearance may be required for certain sensitive subjects.
Regarding travel, dependants may leave and re-enter the UK while their current visa is valid. However, travelling outside the UK while an in-country application is pending may lead to the application being withdrawn.
All graduate visa dependants are subject to no recourse to public funds, meaning they cannot access most UK benefits or public funds. They must support themselves through work, savings, or family income.
What Happens When the Graduate Visa Expires?
The graduate dependant visa normally ends on the same date the main Graduate visa expires. Dependants’ permission aligns with the Graduate visa holder’s expiry date.
Current durations:
- The Graduate visa lasts 2 years for most applicants, including postgraduate taught graduates and those with a UK bachelor’s degree or postgraduate diploma
- PhD graduates and those with other doctoral qualifications receive a 3-year Graduate visa
- From 1 January 2027, the graduate visa duration changes to 18 months for most applicants
Graduate visas cannot be extended once granted. Neither the main visa nor the graduate dependent visa can be renewed under this route. Families must plan their next steps well in advance.
Common next routes include:
- Switching to a skilled worker visa or the skilled worker route
- Applying under a family visa category (such as a spouse route)
- Other categories that may lead to settlement
Letting the Graduate visa expire without making a fresh application risks overstaying and serious immigration consequences for the whole family.
Common Mistakes and How Our Solicitors Can Help
We see the same issues repeatedly in graduate dependent visa applications. The most common mistakes include:
- Assuming new partners can apply: A spouse married after your student visa expires, who was never your dependant, generally cannot join under the Graduate route.
- Failing to prove cohabitation: Unmarried partners need strong evidence of at least 2 years living together. Weak or inconsistent documents lead to refusals.
- Overlooking children over 18: Older dependant children must provide clear evidence they are not living an independent life.
- Submitting unnecessary financial documents: Since there is no maintenance requirement, including irrelevant bank statements can confuse rather than help.
- Timing errors: Applying too late, or after the current student visa expires, can create gaps in status.
Incomplete or inconsistent supporting documents can lead to refusal, even where the relationship is genuine. Our immigration solicitors at Axis Solicitors provide tailored advice, document checklists, and full representation in Graduate and graduate dependent visa applications.
If you are in or near Manchester, London, or Birmingham, request a consultation by phone or online. We are here to help you get it right the first time.
FAQs about Graduate Dependent Visa
Can I bring my wife/husband on a Graduate visa?
You can bring your spouse or civil partner only if they already held permission as your dependant on your student or Tier 4 (General) student visa.
New relationships formed after your studies cannot be added under the Graduate route from overseas. You must prove the marriage or partnership is genuine and continuing, using documents such as certificates and joint bills. If your partner’s immigration history is complex or they have been living outside the UK, we recommend seeking legal advice before applying.
Can dependants work on a Graduate visa?
Most adult dependants can work full-time, be self employed, and do voluntary work with limited exceptions. The main restriction is that they cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.
Although they can work, graduate visa dependants cannot access public funds and must support themselves through employment or savings. Employers may request proof of right to work, which is linked to the dependant’s biometric residence permit or eVisa.
Do Graduate visa dependants need a separate application?
Yes. Each dependant must submit their own online application, even if applying at the same time as the main Graduate visa holder. They must pay their own application fee and immigration health surcharge, and prove identity separately.
The forms of graduate dependent visa are linked using the main applicant’s details or UAN, so information must match exactly. We suggest keeping a shared record of key dates and reference numbers to avoid errors.
How much does a Graduate visa dependant visa cost?
Dependants pay an application fee of £822, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge for each year of leave. For adults, the IHS is currently £1,035 per year; for children under 18, it is £776 per year.
Fees are paid online by card during the application process and are usually non-refundable once UKVI begins processing. We encourage you to confirm up-to-date fees with us or on the official government website before applying.
What if my Graduate visa application is refused, what happens to my dependants?
If the main Graduate visa is refused, dependant applications linked to it are normally refused as well. The refusal letter will set out any administrative review or appeal options, depending on the grounds of refusal. Quick legal advice is vital to protect everyone’s immigration position and avoid becoming an overstayer.
We at Axis Solicitors can review refusal reasons, advise on next steps, and prepare challenges or fresh applications where appropriate. Contact us ASAP after receiving a refusal to keep your options open.
