UK Dependent Visa for Spouse from Nigeria

Considering a UK Dependent Visa for Your Spouse?

We have a successful history of helping numerous Nigerians in securing UK Dependent Visas for their spouses. If you’re contemplating bringing your spouse to the UK and need guidance on initiating the process, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for professional support. Let our team of skilled lawyers address any questions you may have and assist you every step of the way.

Nigerian Emigration

For Nigerian emigration matters, please call +2342013306361 or +44 (0) 3316300929.

Other Immigration and Emigration Matters

For immigration/emigration to/from other countries, please call:

US –  +1 844 290 6312

Ireland –  (+353) 061 518 025

UK –  (+44) 333 4149244

Overview of UK Dependent Visa for Spouse

The dependent visa application process enables UK residents and some other visa holders to invite their dependents to relocate to the UK. You may be able to bring your children, parents, partner or spouse, and other close family members to the UK with this visa.

You may be able to qualify for the UK dependent visa for spouse if you are the spouse or legal partner of the UK sponsor. You must apply for entry clearance before traveling to the UK if you want to come to the UK based on your relationship with a UK resident.

If you are applying from inside the UK, you should be in possession of leave to remain which allows you to stay in the UK for at least six months. But if you’re already in the UK and were initially granted entrance for less than six months, such as if you were a guest or prospective student, you cannot modify your visa to a spouse visa.

Children under the age of 18 are also eligible for entry into the UK as dependents. Keep in mind that the sponsoring spouse is required to provide proof of income in a certain amount which depends on the number of dependent children being sponsored.

UK Dependent Visa for Spouse Eligibility Requirements

You should meet the UK dependent visa requirements to be eligible for this visa. You will need to prove the following:

• You are the sponsor’s spouse, unmarried or legal partner.
• You are engaged to be married, planning to get married or entered into a civil partnership within six months of arriving in the United Kingdom.
• Your marriage or civil union has been legally recognised in the United Kingdom.
• You must prove your English language proficiency.
• You must be 18 years or older, just like your spouse.
• Your sponsoring partner must be able to sponsor you by earning more than £29,000 per year or having sufficient savings. If your children are also to be sponsored as dependents, the minimum financial requirement will be greater.
• You apply after being in a relationship for at least two years.
• Children below 18 years at the time of application. Children who are over 18 years can apply for an extension if they have been dependent since they were below 18 years.

Documents Required for a UK Dependent Visa for Spouse

You need to provide some documents in order to get your UK dependent visa for a spouse. However, the type of visa your sponsoring spouse holds will determine the exact list of documents that will be required of you. Some of them include:

• A passport or any other required travel document.
• A spouse marriage certificate.
• Proof of the relationship between you and your sponsoring spouse.
• Proof of dependence.
• Background documentation
• Bank statements to show enough financial support.
• A Unique Application Number (UAN) or Global Web Form (GWF) for the main visa holder (sponsoring spouse) to link the applications together.
• Completed application & consulate fees.
• Results of your tuberculosis test (if required).
• Result of a criminal record check (if required).

Processing Time for a UK Dependent Visa for Spouse

It takes about 12 weeks for your UK dependent visa for your spouse to be processed from Nigeria or anywhere else outside the UK. But from within the UK, it takes about 8 weeks to process it.

However, you can speed up your visa processing time by using the priority and super priority services for an additional cost. With the priority service, you can get the decision within 5 working days. Whereas, you can get a decision on your visa in 24 hours if you opt for the super priority service.

Financial Requirements for a UK Dependent Visa for Spouse

You need to make some financial obligations to get the dependent visa for spouse. You need to prove that your minimum income is £29,000 to the Home office.

The type of visa your sponsoring spouse has will determine the fees you are required to pay.

As a dependent, you are subject to:

• The Immigration Health surcharge fee of £1035 yearly for adults and £776 yearly for child dependent.

If you’re applying for a skilled worker dependent visa as a spouse, it must be proved that your sponsoring spouse has:

• An amount of £315 for one child with £200 for each additional child.
• An amount of £285 for you.

You may not really know all the fees to pay during your UK dependent visa application process. Just as stated earlier, the type of visa your sponsoring spouse has determines the kinds of fees you need to pay.

Therefore, you need expert advice from an immigration lawyer who is well-versed in the UK dependent visa application process. Reach out to one of our immigration lawyers at IAS today.

For more information about the fees you need to pay or other insights regarding UK dependent visas for spouses from Nigeria, get in touch with us on +234 2013306361 or our UK office at +44 (0)333 414 9244.

How to Apply for a UK Dependent Visa for Spouse?

Depending on the type of visa your sponsoring spouse has, there may be a specific procedure you must follow when applying for a dependent visa in the UK. They include:

• Fill out and submit the online application form. Don’t forget to include the specific application reference number for the main applicant. It is important that you use the right application form. For instance, the form used for Point Based System (PBS) dependent partners differs from the one used for PBS dependent children.
• Pay the immigration healthcare surcharge and the application fee.
• To support your application, upload all the documents required by UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI).
• To have your photo and fingerprints taken, book and a biometric appointment with your nearest UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) or Visa Application Centre (VAC) – TLScontact in Nigeria

Rules and Conditions for a UK Dependent Visa for Spouse

For the UK dependent visa tier 4, you need to follow certain rules and conditions. You:

• Won’t obtain government support while you’re on a dependent visa.
• Will need to show that your sponsor has the means to assist you and is willing to pay for your stay before your application will be approved.
• Will be permitted to enter the UK and have unrestricted freedom to dwell in the UK if your Dependent Visa is approved.
• Will have no constraints to work in the UK, so you can engage in any line of business and at any level of expertise.
• Can remain in the UK for the same period your sponsoring spouse permit duration allows.
• Are prohibited from accessing public funding, working as a doctor in training, dentist or a professional sports instructor.
• Won’t be able to request an extension once your sponsoring spouse departs the UK. So if you continue to meet the requirements for eligibility, submit an application to extend your visa with your sponsoring spouse visa.
• Study a postgraduate course under certain conditions.

Working Under a UK Dependent Visa for Spouse

You can do unpaid charity work with this visa. Besides that, as long as you’re doing the main work you’re being sponsored for, you can still do additional paid work as you live in the UK.

You are allowed to work up to 20 hours weekly in a job with a shortage at the same level and in the same occupational category as your primary job. So know if your job is listed in healthcare and education shortage or all other shortage occupations.

However, you must submit an application to modify your visa if you want to work more than 20 hours weekly or in a job with a different occupation code and need sponsorship for both positions.

In order to do that, you’ll have to obtain a fresh sponsorship certificate from your second job including an application letter explaining your desire to modify your current permission to stay.

Duration of Stay under a UK Dependent Visa for Spouse

You will be permitted to remain in the United Kingdom indefinitely if you adhere to the immigration conditions for this visa.

After continually residing in the UK for 5 years as a holder of the UK dependent visa for spouse, you will be eligible to apply for British Naturalisation and become a British citizen.

English Language Requirements for Dependent Spouse Visa

If you are applying for a UK Dependant Visa from Nigeria, you generally do not need to meet the English language requirement. This is because the English language requirement usually applies to the main visa applicant, not the dependant. However, if you plan to apply for indefinite leave to remain or permanent residency, you will need to meet the English language requirement and pass the “Life in the UK” test. 

As a Nigerian, you can prove your English language proficiency with an IELTS. However, having a WAEC West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE) English Grade C or above can be used in place of IELTS or TOEFL.

If you’re a dentist, doctor, nurse, or midwife and have already passed an English Language assessment that a relevant regulated professional body accepted, then you don’t need to prove your knowledge of English.

However, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons may need you to show proof that you passed an English language test if you are a veterinarian.

Relationship Breakdown While Holding a UK Dependent Visa for Spouse

If your relationship ends while holding the dependent spouse visa let the Home Office know about your separation or divorce especially if you got your visa based on your relationship.

Then, you need to apply to leave or stay in the UK. To inform the Home Office that the relationship is over, send them an email.

The email must bear the following information about you and your ex spouse or partner:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Address
• Passport number
• Home Office reference number which you’ll see on letters sent from the Home Office.

Include the following if you or your ex spouse or partner have children in the UK:

• Names of their guardians or parents and who they reside with.
• Their names and dates of birth.
• Amount of time they spend with you or your ex partner.
• Information about any family court proceedings you are currently involved in.
• How much child support or financial assistance you give each other.

You need to attach public statements and consent forms to your email. The public statement form disallows the Home Office to share the details of your email to your ex partner.

Whereas the consent form allows the Home Office to share the details of your email to your ex partner. You will need to print and sign one of these forms.

Add a scan of the signed form to your email. These forms allow the Home Office to contact your ex partner at the address you provided.

When you’re done with the email send it to [email protected] with “MARRIAGE BREAKDOWN” as the subject line. But you may post a letter to the following address with your signed form if you can’t access email:

UK Visas and Immigration

MARRIAGE BREAKDOWN

Status Review Unit

7th Floor

The Capital

New Hall Place

Liverpool

L3 9PP.

How Can IAS Help

During your UK dependent visa application, you need to consider the type of visa your sponsor has. This is because the type of visa your sponsor has largely determines the requirements and application process you must pass through to get the visa.

You will need to fulfil some financial requirements in order to get your UK dependent visa for spouse and student dependent visa UK for your children if they’re going with you to the UK to stay with your UK spouse.

You may get confused when meeting the financial requirements for your dependent visa. This is because the type of visa your sponsoring spouse has may either require you to pay less or more fees.

Therefore you need an expert immigration lawyer who is well-versed in the UK dependent visa application process to understand your unique situation. This expert will help you to avoid unnecessary expenses and arrange all your required documents to avoid the risk of your dependent visa application refusal.

We recommend that you reach out to our immigration lawyers at IAS today for expert advice. For more information about UK dependent visa for your spouse from Nigeria, get in touch with us on +234 2013306361 or +44 (0)333 414 9244 or contact us online.