Graduate visa
Your partner and children
If your partner and children joined you in the UK as ‘dependants’ on your current Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa, they can apply to stay as dependants on your Graduate visa.
If your child was born in the UK during your current Student or Tier 4 (General) student visa, they can also apply.
If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as yours.
A dependant partner or child is any of the following:
- your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
- your child under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay
- your child over 18 if they currently have permission (‘leave to enter’ or ‘leave to remain’) to be in the UK as your dependant
Your partner
Your partner needs to have been a dependant on your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa to apply. You’ll also need to show that they’re still your partner.
You must be able to prove one of the following:
- you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK
- you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply
- you’ve been in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply but you cannot live together, for example because you’re working or studying in different places, or it’s not accepted in your culture
If you’re not living together, you’ll need to prove that you have an ongoing commitment to each other, for example by providing evidence that you:
- communicate regularly with each other
- support each other financially
- care for any children you have together
- spend time together as a couple, for example on holiday or at events
Your child
Your child must:
- live with you, unless they’re living away from home in full-time education - for example, at boarding school or university
- not be married or in a civil partnership
You’ll need to provide evidence of their address such as:
- a bank statement
- credit card bills
- driving licence
- NHS registration document
- an official letter from their university or college
If your child is under 18
Your child usually needs to have been a dependant on your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa to apply.
They do not need to have been a dependant if both of the following apply:
- they were born while you were in the UK on your current Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
- they were born in the UK
You’ll need to provide proof that they’re your child - for example, a UK birth certificate or a special guardianship order from a court.
New dependants may be able to join you from outside the UK if you switch to a different visa, for example a Skilled Worker visa.
If your child is 18 or over
They must have been a dependant on your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa.
Apply
Your partner and children must either:
Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee.
They’ll need to provide a valid passport or other document that shows their identity and nationality.
To prove they’re dependants on your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa, they’ll need to provide either:
- their biometric residence permit (BRP) if they have one - this can be expired
- online proof of their immigration status if they have an eVisa - they’ll need to get a share code
They’ll also need your application number - you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.
If your scholarship or sponsorship provider paid your partner or child’s living costs in the last 12 months, your partner or child will need a letter from the provider approving their Graduate visa application.
Proving their identity
As part of their application, your partner and children will need to prove their identity. How they do this depends on where they’re from and the type of passport or resident permit they have.
They’ll either:
- use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan their identity document - they’ll also create or sign into their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
- have their fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point
They’ll be told what they need to do when they apply.
The UKVCAS service point may need to keep your partner’s and children’s passport and documents while processing their application.
They must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until they get a decision. Their application will be withdrawn if they do.
How long it takes to get a decision
Once they’ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.
If their application is successful
They’ll get an eVisa (an online record of their immigration status).
Their decision email or letter will tell them how to get access to their eVisa. They’ll need to create a UKVI account.
They can find out how to get their biometric residence permit (BRP) if they were told they’d get one when they applied.
Children born in the UK
If you have a child while you’re in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen.
You must apply for your child’s dependant visa if you want to travel in and out of the UK with them.
You’ll need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.