Skilled Worker Visa Dependants
A Skilled Worker's partner or children may be able to apply as dependants — but this is no longer automatic. Whether family members can come depends on the worker's occupation and, in some cases, their immigration history, because of restrictions affecting care workers and certain medium-skilled roles. This page answers one question: can the worker's partner or children apply as dependants? — then points you to the detailed guidance.
Check the worker's job first
From 11 Mar 2024 · transitional cases
From 22 Jul 2025 · transitional cases
Separate requirements apply
On this page
- Who can apply
- Does the job allow dependants?
- Why immigration history matters
- Care worker families
- Medium-skilled families
- Dependant partners
- Dependant children
- Applying in or outside the UK
- Financial requirements
- Work & study
- If the worker extends or changes job
- Settlement
- Quick eligibility check
- Common mistakes
- FAQs
In brief
- A Skilled Worker’s partner or children may apply as dependants — but this is no longer automatic.
- It depends on the worker’s occupation and, in some cases, their immigration history.
- Restrictions affect care workers and certain medium-skilled roles.
- This page answers one question — can the family apply? — then points to the detailed guidance.
Who can apply as a dependant?
The Skilled Worker route provides for applications by dependant partners and dependant children. A dependant makes their own immigration application: their eligibility is linked to the main Skilled Worker, but is assessed under the separate dependant provisions — they don't simply inherit the worker's status.
The first question: does the worker's job allow dependants?
Before thinking about documents, check the main worker's occupation. The Skilled Worker rules now treat different groups of workers differently:
| Worker's occupation | Dependants? |
|---|---|
| Graduate-level eligible occupations | Generally yes* |
| Care worker / senior care worker — codes 6135 & 6136 | Restricted |
| Certain medium-skilled occupations | Restricted |
*Subject to the dependant requirements. Restrictions carry transitional exceptions — see below.
- Care workers & senior care workers (codes 6135 and 6136) — restrictions took effect from 11 March 2024.
- Medium-skilled occupations — further restrictions followed changes from 22 July 2025.
Whether a family member qualifies can therefore depend not only on the worker's current occupation but also on their previous Skilled Worker permission.
Why the worker's immigration history matters
The date the worker entered the Skilled Worker route can matter, because transitional arrangements may protect some existing workers and their families. Two people doing similar jobs today may not have the same dependant position. An assessment may need to weigh:
- The worker's occupation (and correct code)
- When they obtained Skilled Worker permission
- Whether that permission has been continuous
- Whether a transitional provision applies
Don't judge dependant eligibility by the current job title alone. Both the occupation classification (occupation code) and the worker's immigration history can change the answer.
Care worker & senior care worker families
The restrictions from 11 March 2024 make care-worker cases important to assess individually. A flat statement that "care workers cannot bring dependants" would be incomplete — transitional circumstances may apply to workers who were already in the route before the restrictions began. These specialist provisions have their own page rather than being reproduced here.
Related guidance: Care worker & senior care worker dependant rules.
Medium-skilled worker families
Changes from 22 July 2025 also restrict new dependant applications for certain workers in medium-skilled occupations, and again the position can turn on whether the worker falls within transitional arrangements. A proper check establishes both: what is the worker's occupation? and when did they first obtain the relevant Skilled Worker permission? The detailed transitional rules live on a dedicated page.
Related guidance: Medium-skilled worker dependant rules.
Dependant partners
Where the worker is permitted dependants, an eligible partner can potentially apply under the dependant provisions. Relationship eligibility and the evidence needed to establish the relationship are covered on their own page.
Related guidance: Skilled Worker dependant partner.
Dependant children
Eligible children can also potentially apply where the worker's circumstances permit dependants. The detailed requirements — age, dependency and family circumstances — have their own source of truth rather than being repeated across pages.
Related guidance: Skilled Worker dependant child.
Applying from inside or outside the UK
Dependant applications arise in different situations — joining the worker from overseas, applying alongside the worker, remaining in the UK as a dependant, or extending existing dependant permission. The requirements are not identical in each case, so use the application guide that matches your circumstances rather than assuming one process fits all.
What about financial requirements?
Dependants can be subject to financial requirements. The maintenance amounts, evidence rules and exemptions are kept in one dedicated resource rather than repeated here — the figures change, so a single source keeps them current.
Related guidance: Skilled Worker dependant financial requirement.
What about work and study?
What a dependant can do once they have permission — work and study rights and any restrictions — is explained on the dependant conditions page. This page stays focused on whether a family member can qualify, not everything a dependant can do afterwards. See the Skilled Worker conditions of stay for the main worker's conditions.
If the worker extends or changes employer
A change in the worker's circumstances doesn't mean every dependant rule is repeated here. Instead:
- To renew the family's permission — see Skilled Worker dependant extension.
- For changes to the worker's sponsored job — see changing employer.
- For the effect on long-term residence — see Skilled Worker dependants & settlement.
Can dependants apply for settlement?
Eligible partners and children can potentially qualify for settlement, but dependant settlement has its own requirements — it isn't automatic simply because the main Skilled Worker becomes eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). The complete requirements are covered on the dependants & settlement page.
Related guidance: Skilled Worker dependants & settlement.
Quick dependant eligibility check
Before progressing a dependant application, establish:
- What is the worker's occupation? Find the correct occupation code and whether the role is graduate level, medium skilled, care worker or senior care worker.
- When did the worker enter the relevant route? This may decide whether transitional provisions apply.
- Is the family member a partner or a child? The applicable requirements differ.
- Where are they applying from? An overseas application and an in-UK application can raise different issues.
- Is this a first application or an extension? Existing dependants may be in a different position from those joining for the first time.
Common mistakes
- Assuming every Skilled Worker can bring dependants — check the occupation and immigration history first.
- Treating the care-worker restriction as absolute — transitional provisions can change the position.
- Ignoring the 22 July 2025 changes — medium-skilled occupations now need particular attention.
- Looking only at the current visa — previous Skilled Worker permission can be relevant to transitional provisions.
- Assuming existing and new dependants are treated identically — timing and history can matter.
- Assuming settlement happens automatically with the worker — dependant settlement has separate requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Skilled Worker bring their partner and children? +
Potentially. The answer depends particularly on the worker's occupation and, in some cases, their immigration history.
Can care workers bring dependants? +
Restrictions apply to care workers and senior care workers (codes 6135 and 6136) following the changes from 11 March 2024. Transitional provisions mean individual circumstances should be checked.
Can a worker in a medium-skilled occupation bring dependants? +
Restrictions apply following the changes from 22 July 2025. Whether an exception or transitional provision applies can depend on the worker's immigration history.
Why does the date of the worker's first permission matter? +
Because transitional arrangements may preserve dependant rights for some workers who were already in the route before later restrictions were introduced.
Do partners and children get the same status as the worker automatically? +
No. They make their own dependant applications and must meet the relevant requirements.
Can existing dependants extend their permission? +
Potentially. Existing dependant status and the worker's immigration history should be considered under the extension rules.
Do dependants automatically receive ILR when the worker settles? +
No. Dependant settlement has separate requirements.
Applying as a Skilled Worker? Get a fixed-fee quote and a clear view of the requirements.
Get a fixed-fee quoteRelated guidance
Disclaimer. The information on this page provides general information about UK immigration law and does not constitute legal advice on any individual immigration application. Immigration requirements depend on your individual circumstances and may change. You should seek professional advice before making an application or relying on the information provided.
Source basis: the UK Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Worker and the related work-route Appendices, together with the Home Office caseworker guidance published on GOV.UK. Immigration Rules and guidance change; confirm the current version on GOV.UK before applying.
Can your family come with you? Check first
The key question isn't simply whether someone is a Skilled Worker — the occupation, immigration history and timing of the dependant application can decide whether a partner or children qualify.