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Tier 4 Dependant FAQs

The FAQs below cover the most common questions regarding Tier 4 Student Dependant visa applications from overseas and within the UK.

The information is not exhaustive and we don’t accept responsibility for its accuracy. If you need further details on this visa category, please contact us or visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

A1. Who can apply for a Tier 4 dependant visa?
The spouse, civil partner, unmarried or same-sex partner, or child under 18 of the main applicant.

Only those students studying at postgraduate level at Higher Education Institutions e.g. Universities, on courses that are at least 12 months long are permitted to bring dependants to the UK.

Those dependants that applied for their visa before 4th July 2011 are allowed to stay in the UK until the end of their leave. Thay can extend their stay, provided they apply at the same time as the Tier 4 (General) Student applies for a course which is at least 6 months long, and within three months of the expiry of their existing leave.
A1.1 What are Higher Education Institutions?
A higher education institution (HEI) is a 'recognised body' (meaning that it has its own UK degree-awarding powers), or a body in receipt of public funding as a HEI.

Institutions (including further education colleges) which receive some public funding to deliver higher education courses do not fall within this definition of an HEI.

Below you can check if your Education Provider is a HEI:

England
Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland
All recognised bodies with degree-awarding powers
A1.2. My dependants are already in the UK. Can they extend their visa?
Your dependants can extend their stay if:
- You are government-sponsored and your course is over six months long OR
- You are doing a postgraduate level course of 12 months or longer at a Higher Education Institution OR
- You had Tier 4 or pre-Tier 4 student leave for your previous course where the course was over six months long AND
  - your permission is current or expired no more than three months before this immigration application AND
  - your new immigration application is for a course over six months long AND
  - your dependants already have Tier 4 dependant or "student" dependant leave AND
  - you apply for immigration permission at the same time as your dependant
A2. Can I work as a Tier 4 dependant
The rules applying to dependants depend on when the main sponsor (student) has made their application:

Tier 4 application made before 3^rd March 2010
- Your dependants will be allowed to work if your visa was issued for 12 month or more.
Tier 4 application made after 3^rd March 2010 but before 4^th July 2011
- Your dependants will be prohibited from working if you were granted immigration permission for less than 12 months.
- Your dependants will not be allowed to work if your course of study is below degree level (except for foundation degree studies
Tier 4 application made after 4^th July 2011

Your dependants are able to work if you are:
- a government-sponsored student taking a course that is over six months long, or
- taking a postgraduate course that is at least 12 months long and you are studying at an institution that meets the UK Border Agency's definition of a higher education institution
A3. What maintenance requirements apply to me?
The amount you need depends on whether the main applicant has an established presence in the UK or not and where the main study site is located i.e. if in the London Inner boroughs or outside.
A4. What is an established presence?
A student has established presence in the UK if:
- He/she has completed a course that was at least six months long within their last period of leave, and this leave finished within the last four months
  
  or
- He/she is applying for continued study on a course where he/she has studied for at least six months of that course and has been studying within the last four months
A5. What are the Inner London Boroughs?
Camden, City of London, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth, and Westminster
A6. How much money do I need to have
- With an established presence and study outside London you need £400 for 2 months (£800) for each dependant.
  If they main applicant is making an application at the same time, the funds needed are £400 for 2 months(£800) for each dependant and £600 for 2 months(£1200) for the main applicant
- Without an established presence and study outside London you need £400 for 9 months (£3600) for each dependant.If they main applicant is making an application at the same time, the funds needed are £400 for 9 months (£3600) for each dependant and £600 for 9 months (£5400) for the main applicant
Please note: If the main site of study is within the Inner London Boroughs the price changes from £400 to £533 for the dependant and from £600 to £800 for the main applicant.
A7. How long do I need to have these funds available?
You need to show that the funds are available to you for at least 28 days. This period must not end more than 1 month before the date of your application.
A8. I already have got a visa, can I switch into the Tier 4 Dependant category?
Switching is only permitted if you currently hold a dependant visa (under old rules). You cannot switch to a Tier 4 dependant visa in country if you have any other visa e.g. student, work permit etc.
A9. How much is the UKBA fee for a dependant application
- Applying within the UK separately from the main applicant - £550
- Applying within the UK together with the main applicant - £193
- Applying outside of the UK - £255
B1. How long can I stay in the UK
You will normally get the same period of leave as the main applicant.
B2. Does the Tier 4 Dependant category lead to settlement i.e. does it count towards the years for permanent residence?
No