Your family
If you wish to bring your dependants with you to the UK whilst you are studying, you’ll need to read the rules and guidance to check that
they are eligible to apply. Please read the UKCISA guidance for Dependants. There’s lots of guidance for students with families including
the following:
If you are interested in applying for the new Graduate route when you have completed your course, we understand that for dependants to be able to stay with you they must already be in the UK as a Tier 4/Student dependant. The Graduate rules should be launched in the Spring 2021 for applications from the Summer of 2021.
Applying for dependant leave before 9am 5 October 2020
If you have or are applying for a Tier 4 (General) visa, your spouse/partner/children may be able to apply as your Tier 4 dependant.
It is possible to apply to bring your dependants with you to the UK if you are:
- government sponsored and on a full-time course that is longer than six months
- studying a full time postgraduate course of 9 months or more
If your family have already been with you in the UK as your dependants and you have been studying a course of more than six months,
they may be eligible to apply. If you have any questions about applying under these rules you’ll need to contact the UKCISA student advice line.
Applying for Student dependent permission from 9am on 5 October 2020
Your dependants will apply under the new Student rules. You’ll find information and guidance about the new Student rules on the government website and from UKCISA who are currently updating their website. If you have any questions about applying under these rules you’ll need to contact the UKCISA student advice line.
Babies born in the UK
Birth in the UK does not automatically make a baby a British citizen. To be born a British citizen one or both parents need to be British citizens or have settled status in the UK.
Applying for a visa for your baby
It is lawful for your baby to remain with you in the UK without making an immigration application. If you travel outside the UK your baby will need immigration permission to re-enter the UK.
Where and how you can make the application will depend on your circumstances. You must be able to show that you are able to meet all the Home Office's rules and requirements.
Access to NHS healthcare
The National Health Service Charges to Overseas Visitors Regulations for England have been amended, effective from the 6 April 2015. The spouse or civil partner and children of
Tier 4 (General) students who have a valid dependant visa are usually entitled to free NHS care.
If you hold a valid dependant visa you should be entitled to free NHS care. Babies born in the UK are only entitled to free NHS care for the first 3 months, to ensure they have access to free NHS care we recommend making an immigration application for them, if they are eligible, as soon as they are born. You should ensure you have adequate private health insurance for yourselves and your dependants, including repatriation cover to your home country.