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PSW stands for ‘Post Study Work’ Visa. Due to a Post Study Work (PSW) visa, foreign students who complete their degrees in the UK can stay and work after graduation. Family members of these graduates can stay in the UK with the main holder of their PSW visa with the help of the PSW Dependent visa.
In this article, we’ll go over the requirements and how to apply for a PSW dependent visa to the UK.
What is PSW Dependent Visa UK?
Family members of foreign nationals holding a Post-Study Work visa may be eligible for a Graduate Dependent Visa, also known as a PSW dependant visa.
People who depend on the primary visa holder, like spouses, partners, and children, can legally live in the UK with them. This is because the primary visa holder is using the graduate route to seek work after graduating from a UK school.
One of the applicants must have a graduate visa and graduated from a recognised UK institution to be qualified for a graduate dependant visa. To apply for a dependent visa, the main applicant must either apply for a graduate visa at the same time. Alternatively, they can apply while their current visa is still valid.
The Graduate Dependant visa allows the applicant to stay for the same duration as the main applicant’s Graduate visa. This is typically two or three years, depending on the main applicant’s level of qualification.
Depending on their stay, dependents can work, go to school, or just enjoy family life in the UK. But it’s important to know that people with this type of visa can’t get public funds or benefits. This shows how important it is to plan your finances and be stable.
Our experienced UK immigration Solicitors can help you with your immigration process.
Who is Eligible for a PSW Dependent Visa?
To have your PSW dependent visa application approved, you must meet several requirements.
For Partner
As a dependent under the PSW visa, your partner must have already been granted a dependent visa under the main visa holder’s student visa. There must be evidence of the ongoing relationship. You can prove your partnership in three main situations:
- Get married or form a civil partnership: In the UK, you are formally married or in a civil partnership.
- Living together: At the time of application, you’ve lived together like a married couple or civil partners for at least two years.
- Long-Distance Relationships: You’ve been together for at least two years but live apart due to work, school, or cultural reasons. You need to provide proof of a long-term commitment in these situations.
You can demonstrate this by frequently talking to each other and providing financial support. Additionally, caring for children together and spending time together whenever possible also show this.
Financial support documents, communication logs, and joint bank statements can serve as proof of your relationship status. You can also use photos or travel records of time spent together.
For Child
Children applying as dependents on a PSW visa must meet specific requirements based on their age and residence.
Basic Requirement
Your child should live with you unless they are at a full-time school, like boarding school or college. They shouldn’t be married or living together legally.
Proof of where you live
It is necessary to present documentation that confirms the child’s residence. This can include credit card bills, bank records, a driver’s license, or proof of NHS registration. Official letters from their school are also acceptable.
Children under 18 must already hold a dependent visa from the main visa holder’s student visa.
If you are 18 years or older and have children, they must have been officially recognised as your dependents while you were on your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa.
Our experienced UK immigration Solicitors can help you with your immigration process.
Which Documents are Required for PSW Dependent Visa?
When applying for a UK Graduate Dependant Visa, you must provide extensive documentation to prove your dependents’ eligibility. Some of these are:
- They need a valid passport or other travel documents that prove who they are and where they are from.
- To show that the relationship is real, a partner or spouse may need to show marriage certificates, civil partnership certificates, or proof that they have lived together for at least two years, like shared bills, bank account statements, or rental agreements. Birth certificates, adoption papers, or court orders (in the case of formal guardianship) for children.
- A copy of the dependent’s most recent visa or biometric residence permit showing that they are currently eligible to live in the country on the student’s visa.
- Financial documents like bank statements or pay stubs show that Graduate Visa users can take care of their dependents without using public funds.
- Proof of adequate housing in the UK, like a renting agreement or a property deed, to show that there are good living arrangements and no need for public benefits.
- Proof of a Long-Term Relationship. This could include logs of conversations, pictures, travel documents that show trips taken together, and other things that show the connection has been strong over time.
- For kids who are in school, official letters from the school confirm their enrollment and give information about the course.
Legal translators must translate any document not written in English or Welsh into English. At the time of the application, ensure that all papers are up-to-date and valid. Expired documents may delay or reject a visa application.
Our experienced UK immigration Solicitors can help you with your immigration process.
What is the UK PSW Visa Fee for Dependent 2025?
Under the graduate route, the UK PSW visa fee for dependents is £822 for every dependent applicant. It is paid at the time the visa application is sent to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and covers the costs of handling the application.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
People who want to apply must pay both the registration fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This surcharge makes sure that people going to the UK can get medical care without having to pay extra at the point of use.
The IHS fee is £1,035 per year. Therefore, the IHS fee is based on the length of the visa:
- The IHS fee is £2,070 for a graduate visa that lasts for two years.
- Moreover, the IHS fee goes up to £3,105 for a Graduate visa that lasts for three years.
You must pay both the visa application fee and the IHS to complete the application process and move on to the Home Office’s review of your visa application.
Our experienced UK immigration Solicitors can help you with your immigration process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Ans. Processing times can be different based on where the application is sent and the specifics of the case. Moreover, most of the time, it might take eight weeks.
Ans. According to the Home Office’s decision letter, if your application is turned down, they will explain why. If applicants think an error was made during the decision process, they can evaluate the reasons for refusal and potentially seek an administrative review. Additionally, fixing any mistakes and reapplying is another choice.
Ans. The major applicant can stay in the UK for as long as their visa allows. If you have a Post-Study Work (PSW) Visa, you can usually stay for two or three years, depending on how qualified you are. If they meet the conditions, they might be able to stay in the UK after this time by switching to a skilled worker visa.
Ans. Since you’ve been in the UK for more than a year, your dependents don’t need to meet any English language or financial standards.
Ans. Families with dependents can work in the UK. There are, however, some limits on working in certain jobs, such as Professional Sports Coach, Doctor, Dentist in Training, and so on.
Ans. Along with the main visa holder’s immigration status in the UK, proof of suitable housing, proof of sufficient maintenance funds (if applicable), and proof of relationship (such as marriage certificates for spouses or birth certificates for children), the necessary documents also include proof of the main visa holder’s relationship to the applicant.
Ans. Dependents on a UK visa can study as long as they meet the requirements set by the school. They must also fulfill any specific criteria for the subject they wish to take.
