Dependant Visa UK from Germany

Germans whose spouse, partner, or parents have an eligible UK visa can reunite with their family via the Dependant visa route.

The UK Dependant visa enables the immediate family members of eligible UK visa holders to come to the UK. Although there have been many changes to UK immigration rules, many UK visa holders can still bring their dependants.

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) subdivides the dependant visa route into Point-Based System (PBS) dependant and dependant visas. Both serve the same purpose, except that the PBS Dependant visa is specifically for point-based Work visas such as Skilled Worker, Healthcare Worker, or Global Mobility visas.

The first family member (the main applicant) can get a family linking code to connect their family member’s applications. Most Dependant visa holders are free to work or study in the UK.

Page Contents

• Dependant Visa UK Overview
• Who Qualifies as a Dependant for a UK Visa?
• What are the New Rules for Dependant Visa in the UK 2025?
• Eligibility Requirements for a Dependant Visa
• Financial Requirements for Dependant Visa UK
• How to Apply for a Dependant Visa
• Required Documents for a UK Dependant Visa
• Processing Time and Cost for the Dependant Visa
• Duration of Stay under a Dependant Visa
• Work Opportunities for Dependants in the UK
• Dependant Visa to ILR in the UK
• VAC (Visa Application Centre) Appointments in Germany
• Adequate Proof of Income and Maintenance
• Applying for a UK Dependant Visa as a Non-German Citizen (German Visa Holder)
• Preparing and Translating Documents
• TB Testing if You’ve Lived Outside Germany
• eVisa Guidance
• Common Refusal Reasons for UK Dependant Visa
• How Can Total Law Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

For a UK Dependant visa, eligible family members include:

• Spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner
• Children under the age of 18, including those born in the UK to the main visa holder
• Children over 18 who are already in the UK on a Dependant visa

When applying for a UK Dependant visa, you must provide relevant supporting documents to prove your relationship with the family member in the UK.

In certain circumstances, settled UK residents can also bring their elderly parents under the Adult Dependant Relative route if they can prove they’re fully responsible for their care.

Changes to UK immigration policies in 2024 and 2025 put certain restrictions on UK visa holders who can bring family members to the UK.

• From 11 March 2024, a policy was introduced restricting dependants for UK Student visa holders. Students can only bring their dependants with them if they’re in a PhD programme or a research-based postgraduate course above RQF Level 8.
• It was announced that dependants are now not allowed for care and social worker job roles (as part of the Health and Care Worker visa). They must qualify for a Skilled Worker visa to be eligible to bring dependants if they are a care worker or social worker.
• In May 2025 it was announced and later added to UK immigration policy on 22 July 2025 that skilled workers who have a job role with a qualification requirement below RQF 6 (equivalent of bachelors degree) could not bring dependants to the UK.
• Also, on 22 July 2025, the minimum salary for a skilled worker was increased to £41,700 from £38,700. The main applicant must earn at least this amount or the ‘going rate’ for the job they do in order to sponsor a dependant to come to the UK.

The Dependant visa is available under several UK visa categories, and specific requirements relate to each type. The general requirements include:

• You must be an eligible dependant ( a spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, or child of a UK visa holder)
• You must be at least 18 years old if you’re applying as a spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner, and below 18 if you’re applying as a child
• You must provide evidence of your relationship with the main visa holder
• You must prove you have the money to support yourself in the UK
• You must show that you intend to live with the sponsoring family member in the UK

If you’re not in a civil partnership or married to your partner, you must have been living with your partner for at least two years. If you and your partner are not living together due to unavoidable circumstances, you must prove that you have an ongoing commitment to each other.

Children above 16 must be financially dependant and live with the main visa holder to qualify for a child dependant visa. They must submit evidence of their address to prove they live with you. Also, they must not be in a civil partnership or married.

If your partner holds a Skill Worker visa, you or your partner must show that you have sufficient means to support you in the UK. Either of you must have at least:

• £285 for the dependant partner
• £315 for a child
• £200 for each additional child.

This is apart from the visa application fees and the money the primary visa holder needs to support themselves.

To join a qualifying Student visa holder as a partner or child, the main applicant must

• Have or earn at least £845 monthly in addition to their course fees and self-maintenance cost if their course is in London.
• Have or earn at least £680 monthly in addition to their course fees and self-maintenance cost if their course is outside of London

Application for a UK Dependant visa is strictly made online on the UK government website. You can apply for a Dependant visa from within the UK if you’re in the country on an eligible visa route. The specific process may vary depending on the sponsoring family member’s type of visa.

The general steps include:

• Complete the correct online application form; there are separate forms for dependant partners and dependant children. If your family in the UK is on a Work visa, you’ll need to provide their unique application number. You can also enter a family linking code if the visa holder got one during their application
• Upload all relevant supporting documents
• Pay the visa application fee and immigration healthcare surcharge
• Book and attend an appointment at the nearest visa application centre (if you’re applying from Germany) or  UKVCAS (if you’re applying inside the UK) to submit your biometric information (photo and fingerprints)
• Wait for a decision

If you apply from within the UK, you cannot leave the country until you get a decision, as that will automatically cancel your application.

You have to provide the following documents when applying for a UK dependant visa.

• A valid German passport or other identity document with at least one blank page
• Completed dependant visa application form
• Global Form (GWB) or Unique Application Number (UAN) of your family member to link your applications.
• Proof of relationship with sponsoring family member (marriage certificate, civil partnership registration, birth certificate)
• Recent bank statements and pay slips showing that you have sufficient resources to support yourself in the UK.
• Proof of dependence on the UK-based family member

You may be required to provide other supporting documentation, depending on your UK family member’s visa type. You must provide certified translations for documents in languages other than English or Welsh.

UKVI typically processes Dependant visa applications within eight weeks if applying from inside the UK and twelve weeks if applying from outside the UK. If you need the visa urgently, you can pay an extra £500 for a priority service that’ll get you a decision within five days.

If your application is urgent, you can use our fast-track service at Total Law. We can complete your application in as little as a week, and combined with priority processing you could have a decision in as little as 2 weeks.

Typically (without fast track and priority services) applications take 2-3 weeks to complete, and 8-12 weeks for the Home Office to review (a total of 10-15 weeks).

UK Dependant visa costs between £319 and £1,751 , depending on the main applicant’s visa type. The application fee for dependants of a Student visa holder is £524 .

You’ll also pay an Immigration Healthcare Surcharge of £776 if you’re a dependant of a Student visa holder or £1035 per year if you’re a dependant partner of other UK visa holders.

The validity of Dependant visas is usually the same as that of the main visa holders. Your visa will expire at the same time as that of your sponsoring UK-resident family member, and you can renew it alongside them.

A Dependant visa allows you to study, work, or travel in the UK. You do not need job sponsorship to work and can change jobs without notifying the Home Office. However, you cannot apply for public funds.

You’ll become eligible for an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years of residing on a Dependant visa in the UK. Your relationship and commitment to your partner must remain ongoing to qualify.

VAC (Visa Application Centre) Appointments in Germany

Visa applications from Germany are normally required for Dependant visa applications. They require attending a Visa Application Centre (VAC), operated by TLScontact, in cities such as Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, or Dusseldorf. Appointments are booked online.

What happens at a VAC appointment?

At the appointment, applicants will:

• Show their confirmation and passport
• Submit or scan supporting documents
• Provide biometrics (fingerprints and a photo)
• Confirm their GWF or UAN number

Tips for a smooth appointment

• Follow photo guidelines (neutral expression, plain background)
• Avoid peak hours if possible
• Premium services like lounge access or extended hours are available for a fee
• Rescheduling can be done online

Proof of Income and Maintenance

UKVI requires evidence that a sponsor can support their partner or child (or in some cases an adult dependent) in the UK. It is typical to require up-to-date evidence covering a period of 3-6 months up until the date of your application. Acceptable documents include:

• Payslips
• Annual tax statements
• Employer letters on official letterhead stating gross salary
• Employment contracts
• Tax returns and invoices for self-employed applicants

Applying from Germany as a Non-German Resident

Non-German nationals living in Germany may apply for a UK dependent visa in the same way as German residents, however, they must demonstrate lawful residence in Germany.

Acceptable evidence includes a residence registration (Anmeldung), a German residence permit, or other official documentation showing legal status.

Applicants must book a UK VAC in Germany or, if appointments are unavailable, in a neighbouring country they can legally enter and exit. All UKVI rules for dependents apply, and the main applicant must meet the standard sponsorship and financial requirements.

Preparing German Documentation for UKVI

Civil documents such as birth, marriage, or divorce certificates often need an apostille and certified translation if they are in German, or any language other than English or Welsh. Not all visa documentation needs an apostille, but will need certified translation. Get in touch with our expert lawyers for assistance with documentation and translations.

Apostilles and Translations

• Apostilles are issued by federal or state authorities depending on the document
• Certified translations must include the translator’s signature, date, contact details, and a declaration of accuracy

TB Testing for UK Dependent Visas living in Germany

If you are living in Germany, most applicants do not need a TB test for a UK dependent visa because Germany is not on the Home Office TB list. The exception is if you have spent more than six months in a country that is on the TB list within the last six months. Applicants who meet this requirement must get a TB test at a Home Office-approved clinic in Germany.

The process usually involves a chest X-ray and a brief consultation. The certificate issued is valid for six months and must be uploaded with your online visa application.

Preparing for Your Appointment

Bring a valid passport or official ID, be ready to pay the clinic fee, and ensure the certificate contains your photo, personal details, clinic stamp, and issue/expiry dates. Keep a digital copy handy for uploading.

Common Refusal Reasons for UK Dependant visa from Germany

Applications can be refused for many reasons. The most common reason is often inconsistencies, inaccuracies and mistakes on applications. Any relevant omissions or missing documentation can delay your application or lead to refusal. It is important to consider the documents you need dependent on your exact circumstances.

For example, if you are not considered married in the eyes of UK law (because it was a forced marriage, or were married under 18 (in England and Wales or 16 in Scotland and Northern Ireland) for example, and you apply for a Spouse visa, your marriage certificate may be unsuitable evidence. You would be expected to apply as if you were unmarried, using supplementary evidence to prove your relationship is genuine and subsisting.

Refusals also occur due to missing translator declarations, incorrect apostille routing, incomplete employer letters, or expired TB certificates (though this is less common in Germany, it can still occur if unaware of the 6 month rule).

Thorough preparation and organised documentation help ensure a smoother UK visa application experience and reduce the risk of delays or refusal.

Reducing the Risk of Refusal

• Confirm document requirements with expert lawyers before submission
• Ensure your evidence matches the expectations of the Home Office
• Correct errors in translations or certificates promptly
• Get support or checks on your application to avoid errors
• Lawyers can help you avoid common pitfalls in applications
• Consider administrative review or reapplying if necessary