UK Student Visa with Spouse: All You Need to Know

Are you a Bangladeshi studying in the UK or planning to move there with a student visa? Most students face the dilemma of studying abroad while leaving their families behind. But the UK provides an incredible opportunity to bring your spouse along with you. If you meet the criteria, your spouse can apply for the dependent visa.

Notes: Effective January 1, 2024, a new policy stipulates that international students pursuing courses in the UK will no longer have the option to bring along their spouses unless the program they have applied to falls under the category of research-oriented postgraduate program. Eligible programs have been specified such as PhDs and other doctoral qualifications. Master’s programs are included in the eligibility criteria but they must have a research component, mandating that some original work comes out of it. It is imperative to bear in mind, that this restriction applies to all international students from different nationalities.

Let’s take a bird’s eye view of how the UK student spouse visa works. Your eligibility depends on two things, if you meet either of the touchstones, you are good to go:

• The course timeline of the postgraduate program you are applying to must be 9 months long.
• You must be a full-time student sponsored by the government on a study duration of at least 6 months, with financial backing from either the UK or an overseas government body.

If the above prerequisites do not align with you, you may still have the chance to apply for a dependent visa, if you are an existing student in the UK and satisfy the following conditions:

• If you are currently enrolled in a full-time course in the UK with a period of six months or more.
• If you hold a valid Tier 4/student immigration permission, with the expiration date not exceeding 3 months at the time of the visa application.
• If your spouse holds a valid dependent immigration authorization or one that expired within the past three months preceding the new visa application.
• If your spouse intends to apply for the dependent visa simultaneously with your student visa application

The UK student spouse visa offers a myriad of opportunities for the recipient of the student visa as well as the spouse.

The most favorable rationale behind pursuing the UK student spouse visa is the sheer happiness of keeping your family close to you, having a companion in a foreign land, and creating beautiful memories together in an entirely new culture. If you apply to the UK as a student alone, you might be exposed to many formidable challenges and it is indispensable for an international student to bring their spouse to strike the perfect student-life balance in the United Kingdom.

The advantages are not limited to just the joy of companionship, your spouse will have the opportunity to get work in the UK, thus can contribute to both your personal and financial situation. If you want to bring along your child as well, they will have the opportunity to study in both state and private schools.

Moreover, there is also an opportunity for your spouse to apply for an indefinite leave to stay back in the UK after residing for 5 years.

Your spouse may apply for the UK Student Visa in the Following Way:

Start the process for your partner or child’s UK student-dependent visa by filling out the online application form, providing the necessary documents, and paying the fees on the official UK government website.

Your partner or child needs to visit a visa application center for a biometrics appointment, which includes fingerprinting and photographs. Once this is done successfully, the application moves forward for approval.

Upon approval, the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will notify your partner or child through a letter. Once granted permission to enter the UK, they’ll receive a biometric residence permit, which they must collect within ten days.

Your partner or child can apply for the dependent visa whether they are inside the UK (permission to stay as a dependent) or outside the UK (entry clearance as a dependent). This can be done when they are applying for their student visa or after they have obtained it.

When applying for a UK student-dependent visa, you’ll need to submit certain documents to support your application. These include:

• Tuberculosis (TB) Certificate: Required if you’re applying from specific countries listed on the UK government website and planning to stay for more than 6 months.
• Letter from Host’s UK University Enrollment: Necessary if you and your host (main applicant) aren’t applying simultaneously.
• Police Registration Certificate (PRC): Needed if applying from within the UK.
• Valid Passport: To prove your travel history, nationality, and identity.
• Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) Card: If applicable.
• Proof of Compliance with Maintenance Requirements

If you’re applying as a dependent spouse, you must demonstrate a genuine and subsisting relationship with the main applicant. Provide:

1. Marriage Certificate:
2. Evidence of Relationship (if unmarried, for at least 2 years):

• Must submit utility bills, council tax, or bank statements
• Residential mortgage statements
• Corresponding documents proving that you live at the same address
• Proof that you will live together in the UK ( joint or separate bank statements with the same address, council tax bills, or utility bills)

The processing time for a UK student-dependent visa varies depending on the application location and fee paid. It can take up to 12 weeks if applied from outside the UK, but expedited services like priority and super-priority are available for quicker results, ranging from 5 days to 24 hours. If applying from within the UK, the standard processing time is 8 weeks, with priority options also available.

The time you can stay under a dependent visa is the same as the main applicant’s approved duration, typically up to a maximum of 3 years for an initial dependent visa.

In the case of a child’s dependent visa, its validity must match the parent’s shortest visa term.

If your partner or child stays in the UK for five years, they might qualify to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). It’s crucial to note that this is only possible if the main applicant’s visa is granted for the same duration.

Question: Is it possible to bring dependents on a Student Visa to the UK?

Answer: No, it’s not allowed to bring dependents directly on a Student Visa to the UK. The Student Visa is specifically for individuals aged 16 or older who intend to study in the country. However, you have the option to sponsor your dependents under a separate visa category known as the Student Dependent Visa. This can be applied for either concurrently with your own Student Visa application or after you have successfully obtained it.

Question: Is it possible for a spouse to work on a Student Dependent Visa in the UK?

Answer: Yes, it is permissible for a spouse to work on a student-dependent visa in the UK. If your dependent is 16 years or older, they have the flexibility to do a full-time job. There are generally no restrictions on the type of work they can take, except roles such as doctors or dentists in training, as well as professional sportspersons.

Question: How can I convert my dependent visa to a student visa in the UK?

Answer: To switch from a dependent visa to a student visa in the UK, you can do so by applying for a student visa. However, there are certain conditions to meet. You must have been residing in the UK with a valid visa for 12 months or longer. You will also need bank statements to prove financial stability.