UK Dependent Visa New Rules 2026: Who Can Still Bring Family to the UK

"Has the UK banned dependent visas?" is the question we hear most often. The short answer is no. The UK has closed family routes for specific groups, one at a time, and announced more changes that are not yet in force. Here is every change that matters to Indian families, with the date it took effect.

Timeline of dependant rule changes

Skilled Workers: still the main family route

If your job is at RQF 6 or above (graduate level, for example software engineer, civil engineer, accountant, pharmacist), your partner and children can join you. Each pays the same fee as you, the health surcharge, and shows funds unless your employer certifies maintenance.

If your job is medium-skilled (RQF 3–5) and you were sponsored through the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List after 22 July 2025, you cannot bring dependants. Exceptions, as GOV.UK words them: you have been continually employed in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa in a medium-skilled job since before 22 July 2025, or the child was born in the UK. For family applying from inside the UK there are further exceptions: you have sole responsibility for the child, the child's other parent is also sponsored in a medium-skilled job, or you are a prison officer.

Nurses and care workers

Nurses, doctors, midwives and allied health professionals on the Health and Care Worker visa can still bring family, and their dependants pay no health surcharge. This is why it remains the cheapest route for Kerala families.

Care workers and senior care workers are different. Dependants have been barred since 11 March 2024, unless the worker has been continuously employed in the role since before that date. Since 22 July 2025, new care workers cannot be recruited from overseas at all; people already in the UK can switch until July 2028.

Students and the Graduate visa

• Taught Master's (MSc, MBA, MA): no dependants. Your spouse would need their own visa.
• PhD, doctorate or research Master's (RQF 7+, at least 9 months) starting on or after 1 January 2024: dependants allowed.
• Graduate visa: only family who were already your Student dependants can stay as Graduate dependants. New partners cannot be added. From 1 January 2027, Graduate visas for new applicants last 18 months instead of 2 years.

Is there an English test for dependants now?

Not on work and student routes. In May 2025 the government proposed an English requirement for adult dependants, but as of October 2026 there is no rule and no start date. Partners do need English later, at settlement (currently B1 plus the Life in the UK test).

Partners of British citizens or settled people are on a different route (Appendix FM). They already need English at A1 to enter.

Settlement: 5 years or 10?

Today, Skilled Worker dependants can apply for indefinite leave to remain after 5 years, with B1 English and the Life in the UK test. The Home Office consulted in late 2025 on an "earned settlement" model: a 10-year baseline, shortened for high earners and some public-service workers, with dependants qualifying in their own right. The Home Secretary has said the changes would apply to people already in the UK. However, as of October 2026, no Immigration Rules have been laid and no start date has been set. Plan on 5 years, and follow the news.

What this means for your family

1. Check your job's RQF level and occupation code before accepting a UK offer. It decides whether your family can come.
2. Bring dependants with or soon after you. Rules have been tightened with little notice, and people already in the route are usually protected.
3. Students: if family matters, consider a research degree, or plan for your spouse to apply on their own visa.
4. Do not trust older blogs or videos. Many still describe 2023 rules.

Talk to us before you decide

Send us your Certificate of Sponsorship details or offer letter on WhatsApp. We will confirm whether your family can join you and which fees apply. Related: our complete UK dependent visa guide and the £41,700 Skilled Worker salary threshold explained.

Frequently asked questions

Has the UK stopped dependent visas in 2026?

No. Skilled Workers in graduate-level jobs, nurses and other Health and Care Workers, PhD students and several other routes can still bring a partner and children. Taught Master's students, care workers recruited after March 2024 and new medium-skilled shortage-list workers cannot.

Can Master's students bring a spouse to the UK in 2026?

Not on a taught Master's. Since 1 January 2024 only students on PhD or research-based postgraduate courses, or government-sponsored courses over 6 months, can bring dependants.

Is there an English test for UK dependent visas?

Not at entry for partners on work or student routes, as of October 2026. It has been proposed but no date is set. English is needed for settlement.

Is UK ILR now 10 years for dependants?

Not yet. The 10-year earned settlement model is a proposal. As of October 2026 the Skilled Worker route still leads to settlement after 5 years.

Can care workers bring their family to the UK?

Only if they have been employed as a care worker or senior care worker since before 11 March 2024. New overseas care-worker recruitment closed on 22 July 2025.