UK Student Visa Dependants: Who Can Still Bring Family

TL;DR: Most international students can no longer bring a partner or children on a UK student visa. Since 1 January 2024, only students on a PhD, another doctorate or a research-based higher degree, or government-sponsored students on courses longer than six months, can bring dependants. A taught master's, the course most students choose, does not qualify. Here is who can still bring family, and how to plan if you cannot.

If you are married, or have children, the UK student visa dependants rule shapes your whole plan. Many people applying from Sri Lanka and elsewhere still assume a one-year master's lets a spouse come too. That changed in January 2024, and the numbers show it: dependant visa grants have fallen 89% from their June 2023 peak, according to Home Office statistics.

The rule is strict, but it is also clear. Once you know which box you are in, you can choose a course and a timeline that fit your family.

Married and planning a UK master's, but unsure whether your family can come with you? Check your eligibility with Prosper.

Who can bring dependants on a UK student visa

The gov.uk rules allow you to bring a partner or children only if you are one of these:

• A government-sponsored student starting a course that lasts longer than six months.
• A full-time postgraduate student on a course at RQF level 7 or above, lasting nine months or longer, and, for courses starting on or after 1 January 2024, the course must be a PhD, another doctorate (RQF level 8) or a research-based higher degree.

A dependant means your husband, wife or civil partner, your unmarried partner, or your child under 18.

Want a clear answer on whether your course choice allows your family to join you?

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Which courses qualify, at a glance

The research-based category is where students most often get confused. A course with "research" in its name is not automatically research-based for visa purposes. Ask the university, in writing, whether the course counts as a research-based higher degree under the Student route before you rely on it.

The money your dependants must show

If your family can come, each dependant must show funds too. Under the current rules, that is:

• £845 a month for up to nine months, for courses in London
• £680 a month for up to nine months, for courses outside London

The money must be held for at least 28 days in a row, and the statement must end no more than 31 days before the visa application.

These figures rise for applications made from 30 November. If your family applies after that date, use the new amounts. Our guide to the UK maintenance funds increase explains the change.

If your course does not allow dependants

This is the situation most married master's applicants are in. You still have real options:

1. Study alone for one year. A taught master's in the UK is usually 12 months. Many students plan for a year apart and then decide the next step together.
2. Look at a funded route. Some government scholarships count as government sponsorship. The Chevening Scholarship and the Commonwealth Scholarship are two to check. Confirm with the scholarship body whether dependants are allowed on your award.
3. Consider a research degree. If a PhD fits your career plan, it changes the family question entirely. Choose it for the research, not only for the visa.
4. Know the Graduate visa rule. Your partner or children can stay with you on a Graduate visa only if they were already your dependants on your student visa. Our guide to the UK Graduate Route covers what the post-study visa allows.

What we see most often: couples who decide early, before choosing a university, make calmer choices than those who discover the rule after an offer arrives.

Applying from Sri Lanka

• Your marriage certificate must be a certified copy, with an English translation if it is issued in Sinhala or Tamil.
• Children's birth certificates follow the same rule: certified copies, translated into English where needed.
• Dependants apply for their own visa and give biometrics at the visa application centre in Colombo, alongside or after the main student.

FAQ

Can I bring my wife on a UK student visa for a master's? Not on a taught master's that started on or after 1 January 2024. You can bring a spouse only on a PhD, another doctorate, a research-based higher degree, or as a government-sponsored student on a course longer than six months.

Does an MRes count as a research-based degree? It depends on how the university classifies the course. Ask the university to confirm in writing before you plan around it.

How much money do dependants need to show? Currently £845 a month in London or £680 a month outside London, for up to nine months each. The amounts rise for applications from 30 November.

Can my family join me later during my master's? No. If your course does not allow dependants, they cannot join you later on your student visa.

Can dependants from Sri Lanka apply at the same time as me? Yes, if your course allows dependants. They can apply alongside you or later, each with their own application.

PS: The dependants rule is one of the first things we check with married applicants, because it decides which courses are worth applying for. If you want your course list checked against your family plans, check your eligibility with Prosper.

Check your eligibility ›