Before BREXIT, skilled European Union workers could live and work in the UK without requiring a visa. They were also free to bring their EU citizen family members with them. That meant the UK was on a level playing field with the rest of the European Union to attract talented workers.
In the post-BREXIT world, the UK no longer has freedom of movement within the EU. Now, a Skilled Worker visa will usually be required. The Skilled Worker Dependent visa is essential for convincing the world’s top talent to make the move to the UK permanently. It ensures they can properly start a new life in the country.
What is the Skilled Worker Dependent visa?
This visa allows the partner or child of a Skilled Worker visa applicant to join them in the UK. It also applies to unmarried partners if you have been together for at least two years. The visa is tied to the main applicant’s Skilled Worker visa, meaning that it will have the same eligibility period, and you will need to extend it at the same time.
While holding the visa, the dependent may live and work in the UK. They will also be eligible for permanent residence and British citizenship once they have been in the country for long enough. There are some notable limits. The visa holder will not be able to claim benefits or work as a doctor or dentist in training, a professional sportsperson, or a sports coach.
A central requirement for individuals who want to bring their partner or spouse to the UK is that the relationship must be genuine. You’ll need proof of a marriage or civil partnership that is legally recognised in the UK. Meanwhile, unmarried partners will have to demonstrate a co-dependent relationship, such as through shared bills and tenancy agreements. Child dependents must also not be married or in a civil partnership.
Why Family Reunification Boosts Retention
According to data collected by the UK Government, 54% of Skilled Worker visa holders had dependents on their visa, 94% of whom had brought a partner with them ,and 65% had children. A huge proportion, 84%, cited the Skilled Worker visa’s features as among their reasons for coming to the UK. 56% also said their dependents’ ability to settle and work in the UK was important for their decision.
Some other UK visas, particularly those for foreign health and care workers, have made family reunification harder. That has dissuaded some individuals from coming to the UK. 65% of sponsors of staff on Health and Care visas have found that the changes have made it harder to hire foreign staff. So, what does all this mean for skilled workers’ retention in your company?
These statistics show that family reunification is central to foreign workers finding long-lasting happiness in the UK. Without the ability to have their spouse and children join them when they come to work in your company, they won’t be able to properly engage with British live and the move will only ever be temporary.
Dependent Work Rights Boost Workforce Participation and Longevity
A Skilled Worker Dependent visa has fantastic rights in the UK. Adult dependents can work (in most roles) and study, while child dependents will enter the British education system. That allows families coming to the UK through this route to form ties to a specific geographic location, making it easier to integrate.
Like the Skilled Worker visa, the Skilled Worker Dependent visa allows the holder to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after they have lived continuously in the UK for five years. With this status, your dependent can remain in the UK permanently without having to worry about maintaining their visa status. They can also apply for British citizenship, which would grant them full rights in the UK.
Rival Skilled Worker Pathways Have Similar Schemes
There is a limited amount of skilled talent on the global marketplace for your business to choose from. Other nations want to attract your prospective hires. Plenty of other nations have skilled worker programs that bear similarities to the UK. Examples include Canada and Australia, with both nations having measures allowing dependents to join the skilled worker.
To continue to attract skilled workers to the UK, the British Government must keep such perks of the skilled worker visa open. Otherwise, your foreign skilled workers may choose a worse position in a different country if it is easier for their family to come with them. Meanwhile, would-be hires may not even consider coming to the UK.
Yet, Britain is already taking measures that could dissuade some skilled workers from coming to the UK. As of July 2025, only individuals with skills at RQF Level 6 or higher may bring dependents with them under the Skilled Worker visa. RQF Level 6 referrals to graduate or graduate-equivalent qualifications. Examples include bachelor’s degrees, degree apprenticeships and graduate diplomas. Meanwhile, ‘medium-skilled’ individuals will need to find alternative ways for their family members to legally come to the UK.
How Can Immigration Advice Service Help?
Skilled workers do not have an automatic right to bring dependents with them to the UK. Instead, they will need to successfully apply for the Skilled Worker Dependent visa by proving that their dependents match a host of eligibility requirements.
Recommend IAS to your prospective skilled foreign worker to increase their chances of successfully bringing their dependents to the UK, thereby ensuring they stay with your company longer. IAS can guide the skilled worker through the entire application process, including helping them to gather, validate, and translate the required documents.
Call Immigration Advice Service today to get your prospective hire started with the Skilled Worker Dependent visa. You can also visit us online to learn more about the range of business visa services we offer.
