Adult students - Tier 4 (General)
Can you bring your family?
This page explains whether and how you can bring your family members (also known as 'dependants') to the UK while you are here as an adult student under Tier 4 (General) of the points-based system.
Your dependants are:
- your husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried partner or same-sex partner; and
- your children aged under 18 years old.
From 4 July 2011, you cannot bring your dependants to the UK unless you are:
- sponsored by a higher education institution on a course at NQF level 7 or above which lasts 12 months or more; or
- a new government-sponsored student following a course which lasts longer than 6 months.
If your dependants are already in the UK with permission, they will be allowed to extend their stay provided they apply at the same time as you apply to undertake a course of study lasting more than 6 months.
Dependants must apply under the rules for points-based system dependants. You can download guidance from the right side of this page.
Children born while you are in the UK
If you have 1 or more children while you are in the UK, you can apply for their permission to stay in the UK. You must complete the dependant application form and send a full UK birth certificate showing the names of both of the child's parents.
More information
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How much money will your dependants need to show?
The money that your family members will need to show depends on your own circumstances, including:
- the length of your course;
- where you will be studying; and
- whether you are currently studying or have recently studied in the UK.
Your family members (or you) must have enough money to cover their monthly living costs. Your family member may have to pay a lower amount of living costs if you are applying having completed a course, or are about to complete a course of study in the United Kingdom that was at least six months long in the past four months. If your family member does not have enough money and cannot prove it, their application will be refused.
The amount of money that your family members (or you) will need to show (as well as the money you must show to cover your own living costs in the United Kingdom) is:
Where you will study Money needed In London
Each of your family members will need to show that they (or you) have £600 per month, for each month of your course up to a maximum of nine months
Outside London Each of your family members will need to show that they (or you) have £450 per month, for each month of your course up to a maximum of nine months
If you are applying having completed a course, or are about to complete a course of study in the United Kingdom that was at least six months long in the past four months, the money you will need to show is:
Where you will study Money needed In London Each of your family members will need to show that they (or you) have £600 per month, for each month of your course up to a maximum of two months
Outside London Each of your family members will need to show that they (or you) have £450 per month, for each month of your course up to a maximum of two months
Your family members must be able to prove they have enough money available by providing documents with the application form. See Proof of availability of money for more information.
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How to apply from inside the UK
If you have a family member who wants to join or stay with you in the UK, you or they should complete the online application form.
We encourage you to include your dependents on your online application and complete the relevant sections.
Your family member should tell us:
- whether we have already officially told you that your application has been successful; and
- the immigration category and Tier that you have applied under.
If you are applying with more than 10 dependants you can request a paper form by emailing: tmicwchangeteamsheffield@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.
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How to apply from outside the UK
If your family member is applying from outside the UK, they will need to make an application for a UK visa at their nearest visa application centre.
They should should see our Visa services section to find out how to apply.
Application forms
Dependants of Tier 4 migrants of the points-based system - for applications made inside the UK
- Policy guidance on dependants of points-based system migrantsPDF 369KB opens in a new window