(Student) Dependant Visas

This information is for dependants of Student Visa applicants / holders.  See the "Recent changes" section and the specific sections relevant to the student's course start date.

UKVI say "dependants" are:

  • your husband, wife or civil partner, or
  • your unmarried partner
  • your child under 18 years old - including if they were born in the UK during your stay

 

Changes announced in Summer 2023

Changes to the (Student) Dependant Visa rules: eligibility

The UK government announced changes regarding which students would be eligible to bring dependants with them to the UK.  

 

UKVI confirmed the following:

  • The changes would only affect students where their course started on or after 1st January 2024.
  • The changes would not affect dependants of international students on Student Visas where the student is already in the UK on their course of study (and where the student's course started before 1st January 2024).
  • Students who started a taught postgraduate course in the Autumn 2023 will still be able to have dependants join them after 1st January 2024 (so long as the other requirements regarding who is eligible to bring dependants in the immigration rules are met).  
  • (Student) Dependant Visa holders already in the UK can extend their immigration permission (if the main applicant / Student Visa holder) is applying for, or has been granted, further leave to remain under the Student Visa route.

 

Useful links:

UKVI - News Story (23 May 2023). 

UKVI - Student Visa information (section "Your partner and children").

UKVI - Appendix Student (section "Dependants of a Student").

UKCISA - Student News (25 May 2023). 

UKCISA - Student News (18 July 2023).

 

Eligibility - course start date on or after 1st January 2024

If your course starts on or after 1st January 2024

Only Student Visa applicants or Student Visa holders who meet the following criteria can apply for Dependant Visas for their spouse or children: 

  • Studying a full time course which is a PhD, other doctoral qualification, or a research-based higher degree (check CAS / UoG Admissions), OR
  • Financially sponsored by the UK or an Overseas Government (and will study a full-time course over 6 months in length)

 

UKVI say "dependants" are

  • your husband, wife or civil partner, or
  • your unmarried partner
  • your child (under 18 years old)

 

Eligibility requirements

Please see the Immigration Rules for full details on the UKVI's requirements for (Student) Dependant Visa applicants and UKVI's Student route: caseworker guidance:

  • Partners and children: see the section "Dependants of a Student" in Appendix Student

 

Appendix Student has recently been updated with the following information:

Student course requirement for a dependent partner or dependent child of a Student

ST 31.1. Unless they are a child who meets the requirements in ST 31.2., the applicant must be the partner or child of a person who is:

(a) a Student who has received an award from a Government and has, or is applying for, permission to study on a full-time course of 6 months or longer; or

(b) a full-time Student who has, or is applying for, permission to study a postgraduate level course of 9 months or longer at a higher education provider with a track record of compliance and, if the course start date is on or after 1 January 2024, the provider has confirmed the course is a PhD or other doctoral qualification, or a research-based higher degree; or

(c) DELETED

(d) a Student who has, or had within the last 3 months before the date of application, permission to study on a full-time course of 6 months or longer, and is now applying for permission to study a full-time course of 6 months or longer where either:

(i) the partner or child already has, or had within the last 3 months before the date of application, permission as a dependent partner or dependent child of the Student; or

(ii) the child was born since the last grant of permission to the Student, where the Student and partner or child are applying at the same time.

 

What course would qualify to meet point ST 31.1(b)?

Check your CAS for your course details.  UKVI say the types of courses UKVI refer to could be a PhD, other doctoral qualification, or a research-based higher degree.  University of Glasgow is a higher education provider with a track record of compliance - see your CAS for the course detials stated there. 

Contact Admissions at UoG to clarify whether your course will be a PhD, other doctoral qualification or a research based higher degree (as required for you to bring dependants) if your CAS does not clarify this.

 

Child Dependant applications overview

Appendix Student states the following eligibility requirements for children applying for a (Student) Dependant Visa:

ST 34.1. The applicant must be the child of a parent who has, or is at the same time being granted permission as:

(a) a Student; or

(b) the partner of a Student.

ST 34.2. The applicant’s parents must each be either applying at the same time as the applicant or have permission to be in the UK (other than as a visitor) unless:

(a) the parent with permission as a Student or as the partner of a Student is the sole surviving parent; or

(b) the parent with permission as a Student or as the partner of a Student has sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing; or

(c) the decision maker is satisfied that there are serious and compelling reasons to grant the child entry clearance or permission to stay with the parent who has permission as a Student or as the partner of a Student.

 

Updates applicable from 05-10-23:

  • If a parent of a dependant child applicant has British citizenship, or has permission to enter or stay in the UK without restriction, and they live or intend to live in the UK, there is no longer a requirement for that parent to be applying at the same time as the dependant child applicant or to already have permission.
  • The Immigration Rules are being amended so that the requirement to not be leading an independent life applies to the child no matter what their age is. Additionally, the definition of “Must not be leading an independent life” is being amended. This change in definition would mean that a dependant child applicant could be in full-time employment and they would not have to be wholly or mainly dependent upon their parent for financial or emotional support. 

 

Useful links:

UKVI - News Story (23 May 2023). 

UKVI - Student Visa information (section "Your partner and children").

UKVI - Appendix Student (section "Dependants of a Student").

UKCISA - Dependants information

UKCISA - Student News (25 May 2023). 

UKCISA - Student News (18 July 2023).

Eligibility - course start date before 1st January 2024

If you are applying for a Student Visa, or hold a valid Student Visa, and your course start date was (or is) before 1st January 2024, you may be eligible to have your "dependants" live with you in the UK in accordance with the current UKVI rules.  

If you already have dependants with you in the UK on (Student) Dependant Visas and you are applying to extend your Student Visa permission, they will also be able to apply to extend their (Student) Dependant Visa too (so long as all eligibility requirements of the (Student) Dependant Visa route are met).

UKVI say "dependants" are

  • your husband, wife or civil partner, or
  • your unmarried partner
  • your child (under 18 years old)

 

Only Student Visa applicants or Student Visa holders who meet the following criteria can apply for Dependant Visas for their spouse or children: 

  • Government sponsored students who are on a course which is longer than 6 months, OR
  • Postgraduate students who are on a course of 9 months or longer at a publicly-funded Higher Education Institution (the University of Glasgow meets this criteria), or a recognised body. ‌

 

Eligibility requirements for partners and children

We offer an overview of the UKVI's requirements for spouse and children applying for a (Student) Dependant Visa below. 

Please make sure that you read the UKVI's full requirements for (Student) Dependant Visa applicants in the UKVI's Student route: caseworker guidance, and the relevant Immigration Rules sections, before applying:

  • Partners and children: see the section "Dependants of a Student" in Appendix Student

 

Child Dependant applications overview

Appendix Student states the following eligibility requirements for children applying for a (Student) Dependant Visa:

ST 34.1. The applicant must be the child of a parent who has, or is at the same time being granted permission as:

(a) a Student; or

(b) the partner of a Student.

ST 34.2. The applicant’s parents must each be either applying at the same time as the applicant or have permission to be in the UK (other than as a visitor) unless:

(a) the parent with permission as a Student or as the partner of a Student is the sole surviving parent; or

(b) the parent with permission as a Student or as the partner of a Student has sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing; or

(c) the decision maker is satisfied that there are serious and compelling reasons to grant the child entry clearance or permission to stay with the parent who has permission as a Student or as the partner of a Student.

Please note:

  • If a parent of a dependant child applicant has British citizenship, or has permission to enter or stay in the UK without restriction, and they live or intend to live in the UK, there is no longer a requirement for that parent to be applying at the same time as the child applicant.
  • The requirement for children to not be leading an independent life always applies, regardless of the age of the applicant. Child (Student) Dependant Visa applicants must be under 18 years old.

 

Babies born in the UK overview

A baby born in the UK who is not a British citizen can lawfully stay in the UK under the UKVI rules.  Please see the information about babies born in the UK to Student Visa holders on the UKCISA webpages.  

If a baby born in the UK has not left the UK, and where they meet the UKVI's eligiblity requirements, they can apply for the Dependant Visa in the UK.  They would need to receive the visa before travelling outside the Common Travel Area (CTA).  The CTA is the UK, including Jersey, Guernsey & Isle of Man, and Ireland.

If a baby born in the UK travels outside the UK / CTA however, they would need to apply for / receive UK immigration leave or a UK visa to re-enter the UK on.  They may apply for a Dependant Visa outside the UK and return to the UK after receiving this.  

Where they apply for a UK visa before travelling to the UK or are granted immigration leave when they re-enter the UK, they would be staying in the UK under the conditions for that immigration leave or visa type. They can only apply for a (Student) Dependant Visa in the UK at a later date where they meet the eligiblity requirements to do so, including holding a visa or leave type that allows them to "switch" in the UK to a (Student) Dependant Visa. 

See the UKCISA webpages "Children born whilst student in the UK" and Appendix Student for more information on when and where a Student Visa holder's baby born in the UK can apply for a Dependant Visa.  When your baby makes a (Student) Dependant Visa application, you will need to their UK birth certificate stating both their parent's names with their other Dependant Visa application documents. 

How to apply

The following sections discuss how to apply for a Dependant Visa from either inside or outside the UK, and give the links to the correct Dependant Visa application forms to use (depending on where you are applying from).

The Student Visa holder or applicant is referred to by UKVI as the "main applicant" - a Dependant Visa applicant would be granted the same length of visa as the main applicant.

Requirements for partners and children:

Please make sure that you read the UKVI's full requirements for (Student) Dependant Visa applicants in the UKVI's Student route: caseworker guidance (Student Guidance), and the relevant Immigration Rules sections, before applying:

  • Partners and children: see the section "Dependants of a Student" in Appendix Student

 

Maintenance requirement

Maintenance required for each dependant is in addition to the money a Student is required to have for maintenance for the Student Visa.  A dependent partner or dependent child of a Student must show that they have enough money to cover their living costs for the period of visa applied for. 

The number of months of immigration permission granted to a Student depends on the type, and length, of the course. The UKVI Student and Child Guidance explains the length of immigration permission a Student will receive.

The UKVI's Student and Child Guidance outlines when to start the calculation from when working out how much money you need to show for maintenance based on the length of visa you are applying for.

Each Dependant Visa applicant needs to show £680 for each month of the length of visa they are applying for, up to a maximum of 9 months (£6120).

See paragraphs ST33.1 - ST37.5 of Appendix Student in the Immigration Rules for the amount of maintanance each Dependant Visa applicant (partner or child applicant) needs to show.

UKVI say if a Dependant Visa applicant is applying inside the UK, and has been living in the UK on a valid visa for 12 or more months on the date they apply for a Dependant Visa, they are not required to show evidence that they meet the maintenance requirement.  See paragraph ST37.1 of Appendix Student.

Applying outside the UK

When your dependant can apply

Your dependant should apply for their (Student) Dependant Visa in the country of which they are a national or where they legally live, using the Dependant Partner or Dependant Child online visa application form for use outside the UK:

 

They can apply:

  • at the same time as you apply for your Student Visa, or
  • at a later date if they cannot apply at the same time as you - this must be after you have received your Student Visa, completed registration and enrolment (including Visa Registration) at UoG and have started your course here.  You must still be a current student (and not completed your course) at the time they apply.

 

Requirements for partners and children

Please make sure that you read the UKVI's full requirements for (Student) Dependant Visa applicants in the UKVI's Student route: caseworker guidance (Student Guidance), and the relevant Immigration Rules sections, before applying:

  • Partners and children: see the section "Dependants of a Student" in Appendix Student

 

Child Dependant applications overview

Appendix Student states the following eligibility requirements for children applying for a (Student) Dependant Visa:

ST 34.1. The applicant must be the child of a parent who has, or is at the same time being granted permission as:

(a) a Student; or

(b) the partner of a Student.

ST 34.2. The applicant’s parents must each be either applying at the same time as the applicant or have permission to be in the UK (other than as a visitor) unless:

(a) the parent with permission as a Student or as the partner of a Student is the sole surviving parent; or

(b) the parent with permission as a Student or as the partner of a Student has sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing; or

(c) the decision maker is satisfied that there are serious and compelling reasons to grant the child entry clearance or permission to stay with the parent who has permission as a Student or as the partner of a Student.

Please note:

  • If a parent of a dependant child applicant has British citizenship, or has permission to enter or stay in the UK without restriction, and they live or intend to live in the UK, there is no longer a requirement for that parent to be applying at the same time as the child applicant.
  • The requirement for children to not be leading an independent life always applies, regardless of the age of the applicant. Child (Student) Dependant Visa applicants must be under 18 years old.

 

Visa application fees / IHS

The visa application fees are £490 to submit the visa application under the "Standard" application service - see the application fees information on the UKVI's webpages.  See the UKVI information on visa processing times.

In most cases you will have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Check how much to expect to pay here. The amount you pay for IHS will depend on the length of visa you will be granted - where the student's CAS says the overall course is longer than 12 months you can expect UKVI to grant a visa that expires 4 months after the course end date on the CAS. 

From 6 February 2024, IHS will be charged at £776 for each period of visa applied for that is 6-12 months long and £388 for any period of less than 6 months. 

 

 

Overview of the Dependant Visa application process outside the UK

The website for the visa application centre the applicant will use will have specific information on the steps of the visa application process for that country and region. 

  • Prepare all required documents such as passport, evidence of relationship with the Student Visa applicant, meeting the Dependant Visa maintainance requirement, the Student Visa applicant's visa application reference etc.
  • Where a student is applying at the same time as their dependants they also need to meet the Student Visa requirements and provide any documents necessary for their Student Visa application.
  • Complete and submit the online Dependant Visa application form for each Dependant Visa applicant.
  • Give biometric details at a visa application centre.
  • Submit application documents (online or in the post)- please check how to submit documents on the webpages for the visa application centre they will apply through.

 

Once the Dependant Visa application has been processed

They will receive a decision letter or e-mail giving the outcome of their visa application and details of any visa granted, such as the work or study conditions of thier visa.  They will need to keep this safe and bring it with them to the UK.

The decision letter will confirm whether they will receive a 30 or 90 day visa sticker in their passport (and will collect a BRP with their full visa details after arriving in the UK) or an online, digital visa status.  Once they have received their visa they can use this to travel to the UK.

 

Applying inside the UK

When your dependants can apply

  • At the same time as you apply for your Student Visa, or
  • At a later date - this must be on or before their current visa expires.  You must still be a current student (and not completed your course) at the time they apply.

 

- Applying at the same time as you "extend" your Student Visa: The Student Visa application form has an option to add your partner and / or each child applying at the same time as you where you are applying for another Student Visa ("applying to extend").

 

- Applying at the same time as you "switch" to a Student Visa: If you are switching to a Student Visa from an eligible visa type, each of dependants will need to complete a separate (Student) Dependant Visa application form, as discussed on the UKVI webpages:

 

- Applying at a different time to you (after you have applied for your Student Visa): Each Dependant Visa applicant will need to complete an online Dependant Visa application form for use in the UK. You must still be a current student (and not completed your course) at the time they apply:

 

Please note: Your partner or child cannot apply in the UK to "switch" into a Dependant Visa (apply in the UK) if their current UK visa is one of the following:

  • a visit visa
  • a short-term student visa
  • a Parent of a Child Student visa
  • a seasonal worker visa
  • a domestic worker in a private household visa

Where they do not meet the eligibility requirements to make a (Student) Dependant Visa in the UK, they will need to make the visa application from outside the UK instead.

 

Requirements for partners and children

Please make sure that you read the UKVI's full requirements for (Student) Dependant Visa applicants in the UKVI's Student route: caseworker guidance (Student Guidance), and the relevant Immigration Rules sections, before applying:

  • Partners and children: see the section "Dependants of a Student" in Appendix Student

 

Child Dependant applications overview

Appendix Student states the following eligibility requirements for children applying for a (Student) Dependant Visa:

ST 34.1. The applicant must be the child of a parent who has, or is at the same time being granted permission as:

(a) a Student; or

(b) the partner of a Student.

ST 34.2. The applicant’s parents must each be either applying at the same time as the applicant or have permission to be in the UK (other than as a visitor) unless:

(a) the parent with permission as a Student or as the partner of a Student is the sole surviving parent; or

(b) the parent with permission as a Student or as the partner of a Student has sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing; or

(c) the decision maker is satisfied that there are serious and compelling reasons to grant the child entry clearance or permission to stay with the parent who has permission as a Student or as the partner of a Student.

Please note:

  • If a parent of a dependant child applicant has British citizenship, or has permission to enter or stay in the UK without restriction, and they live or intend to live in the UK, there is no longer a requirement for that parent to be applying at the same time as the child applicant.
  • The requirement for children to not be leading an independent life always applies, regardless of the age of the applicant. Child (Student) Dependant Visa applicants must be under 18 years old.

 

Visa application fees / IHS

The visa application fees are £490 - see the application fees information on the UKVI's webpages.

In most cases you will have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Check how much to expect to pay here. 

The amount you pay for IHS will depend on the length of visa you will be granted - where the student's CAS says the overall course is longer than 12 months you can expect UKVI to grant a visa that expires 4 months after the course end date on the CAS.  

From 6 February 2024, IHS will be charged at £776 for each period of visa applied for that is 6-12 months long and £388 for any period of less than 6 months. 

 

Overview of the Dependant Visa application process in the UK

  • Prepare all required documents such as passport, current UK visa, evidence of maintenance / official financial sponsorship, evidence of relationship with the Student Visa applicant (e.g. if switching to a Dependant Visa), evidence of living at the same UK address as the Student etc  
  • Where a Student is applying at the same time as their dependants they also need to meet the Student Visa requirements and provide any documents necessary for their Student Visa application.
  • Complete and submit a Dependant Visa application form for each Dependant Visa applicant
  • Upload visa application documents
  • Either use the IDV app (before filling out the visa application) or attend a UKVCAS centre to give Biometrics after submitting the online visa application form. Where a Student is applying for their Student Visa at the same time as their dependants, you will all go to the same Biometrics appointment together.

 

If you leave the Common Travel Area after making a Dependant Visa application and before receiving a decision e-mail, UKVI say they will withdraw your visa application. The CTA comprises UK (including Jersey, Guernsey & Isle of Man) and Ireland. You should stay in the UK until you receive a visa decision (and your Dependant Visa where your decision e-mail confirms your visa application has been successful).

 

Visa decision e-mail

Your dependant will receive a visa decision via e-mail which will confirm the outcome of the visa application and whether they have been granted a BRP (this will be sent to the UK address they live at and entered on the visa application form) or an online, digital visa status. 

If a visa applicant changes their UK address while waiting for a visa decision, they must notify UKVI as soon as possible:

Documents & maintenance overview

Overview of common documents

We discuss some of the common documents you may need to provide when making a (Student) Dependant Visa application beneath the information on maintenance. You need to provide any documents asked for by UKVI when you apply.

Please make sure that you read the UKVI's full requirements for (Student) Dependant Visa applicants in the UKVI's Student route: caseworker guidance (Student Guidance), and the relevant Immigration Rules sections, before applying.  These resources also discuss documents to prepare as evidence of your relationship as well as other specific documents that may be required:

  • Partners and children: see the section "Dependants of a Student" in Appendix Student

 

Maintenance requirement

Maintenance money required for each (Student) Dependant Visa applicant is discussed in the Student Guidance:

- £680 for each month (up to a maximum of 9 months) of the length of Student Visa you are applying for (where applying at the same time as you) or

- £680 for each month (up to a maximum of 9 months) of Student Visa you have been granted (where they are applying after you have already received your Student Visa).  

 

Rules for the financial requirement for a dependant partner: see Appendix Student (ST 33).

Rules for the financial requirement for a dependant child: see Appendix Student (ST 37).

 

Page 98 of the Student Guidance explains how to calculate the amount of maintenance required by a (Student) Dependant Visa applicant:

"Dependants of Student applicants will need to evidence finance for the period they would be granted permission, if their application were to be successful, up to a maximum of 9 months. The start date of this period will be calculated from:

• the date the applicant is intending to travel to the UK or one month before the Student applicant’s course start date, whichever is later, if they are applying for entry clearance

• the date after their current period of permission expires, if they are already in the UK as the dependant of a Student (including Tier 4) and are applying for further permission to stay

• the date of their application, if the applicant has leave under another PBS category and is now applying for leave as the dependant of a Student (including Tier 4)

 

Evidence of meeting the maintenance requirements

Evidence of maintenance needs to show each (Student) Dependant Visa applicant has the money available to them to meet the maintenance requirement.

When your dependants are applying with you at the same time as you, prepare financial evidence that shows the maintenance required for the Student Visa applicant, and the additional maintenance money required for each Dependant Visa applicant.  

See Appendix Finance and the Student Guidance for the financial evidence UKVI say they will accept and the requirements your financial evidence will need to meet.

Page 98 of the Student Guidance says:

"Dependants of a student can rely on the following as evidence of funds available to them to meet the financial requirement:

• bank account or building society statements that meet the requirements of Appendix Finance FIN 5.1 and FIN 8.1, or

• a sponsorship letter from an official financial sponsor of the Student that states the sponsorship will also cover living costs for the Student’s dependants and which names those dependants"

(Please also refer to FIN 7.1 - 7.3 for further cash funds evidence requirements, e.g. for a bank statement or bank letter).

 

Who does not need to show evidence of meeting the maintenance requirement?

  • UKVI say (Student) Dependant visa applicants who apply in the UK, and who have been living in the UK on a valid visa for 12 months or longer on the date they apply, do not need to meet the financial requirements. 
  • If the Student Visa applicant and (Student) Dependant Visa applicant meet the UKVI's Differentiation Arrangements eligibility requirements, UKVI say you will not expect to be asked to provide financial documents as evidence of maintenance at the time you apply. However, UKVI can ask you for this evidence at any time until they have made a decision on your visa application, so you should prepare this before applying and submit if UKVI contact you and request you to do so.  

 UKVI say that a (Student) Dependant Visa applicant will be eligible to apply under the "differentiation arrangements" where: 

- both your (the Student's) nationality and the nationality of your dependant are listed in paragraph ST 22.1 of Appendix Student of the immigration Rules, and

- your dependant is applying at the same time and in the same country as you, and

- your dependant is applying in the country of they are a national of, or in a country they are a resident of (e.g. immigration permission for that country is not as tourist / visitor), or they are applying in the UK 

 

Student's CAS

When you are not applying in the UK at the same time as the Student Visa holder / applicant, you will need their CAS number. 

If they already have a Student Visa and have started their studies in the UK, and you are applying for a (Student) Dependant Visa to come and join them in the UK, they can also send you copies of their Student Visa, evidence they are registered as a current student at UoG (Certifying Letter) and a copy of their passport ID page.  The information from these documents can be added to your visa application.

 

Evidence of relationship:

You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship to the Student Visa applicant when you first apply for a (Student) Dependent Visa, e.g.:

  • a marriage or civil partnership certificate for your partner, evidence of being in a "durable relationship" for at least 2 years before the date of application
  • a birth certificate for your child

If you apply to extend your current (Student) Dependant Visa with the Student Visa holder in the UK at a later date, UKVI usually do not ask you to provide this evidence again (if they do request this evidence however you will need to provide it).

When applying in the UK for a Dependant Visa, you will need to provide evidence of living at the same address in the UK as the Student Visa holder / applicant (e.g. tenancy agreement or council tax bill showing both your names and for your current UK address).

 

Dependant children over 16 or 17 years old

If your child is 16 or 17 on the date you apply for their Dependant Visa you may be asked for evidence to prove they are not living an independent life, for example they’re not married or in a civil partnership.  You’ll need to prove:

  • where they live - if they do not live with you, you’ll need to explain why
  • any rent or upkeep they pay you each month
  • that you support them financially if they do not live with you

 

Consent letter from an official financial sponsor of a (Student) Dependant Visa applicant)

This is applicable for (Student) Dependant Visa applicants who:

- will continue to receive financial sponsorship (or scholarship) for their current studies (that covers both course fees and living costs and is from a Government or international scholarship agency), or

- have completed a course in the UK within the 12 months before the date of their (Student) Dependant Visa application, and

- received a scholarship or official financial sponsorship for that course (from a Government or international scholarship agency), and

- the money was for both course fees and living costs ("fully funded" or "wholly sponsored"). 

 

Where this applies you would need to provide a letter confirming the official financial sponsor's consent to you applying for a (Student) Dependant Visa and staying in the UK for longer. 

Where the applicant is switching to a (Student) Dependant Visa from a Student Visa, and the money was received via UoG (including where details of their sponsorship / scholarship received are stated on the CAS they used to apply for their current Student Visa) written consent is not required.  

BRPs and digital visa status

Visa decision e-mail:

When a Dependant visa application is successful, UKVI will issue the visa after making a decision on the visa application. When granted, your dependant's visa will share the same expiry date as your Student visa. Where the Dependant visa is granted for longer than 6 months they would expect to receive either a BRP or digital visa status.  

 

Decision e-mail confirms a digital visa status has been issued

Please follow the link provided in the decision letter to view this and follow the instructions for how to generate a share code.  You can see the details of your visa and the visa expiry date online.

 

Decision e-mail confirms a BRP will be issued

See below for information on how you will get your BRP.  This depends on whether the visa application was made outside the UK, or from inside the UK.

Visa application made outside the UK: When completing the Dependant Visa application form choose whether to collect the BRP from the University or a Post Office.  The decision letter will confirm if a BRP will be issued and where to collect this from.

Visa application made in the UK: The BRP for each visa applicant will be sent to the address in the UK entered on their visa application form via Royal Mail. It is not possible to change the address your BRP will be delivered to via Royal Mail. 

If Royal Mail attempt a delivery but were unable for any reason to deliver your BRP, they will leave a "Something for you" card explaining this and what you need to do next. 

Something For You card 

This card may be posted through your letterbox or left at the main front door of your building, or at the reception for your building, for example.  Where you receive a card, you will need to arrange a redelivery, or collect your BRP from the local Royal Mail Office - the card will explain how to do this. 

Useful links