Family costs are not an add-on — they multiply. Every dependant pays a full application fee and their own healthcare surcharge, up front, for the whole visa length.
Who can come with you
Your “dependants” on the Skilled Worker route are:
- your husband, wife or civil partner;
- your unmarried partner, if you have lived together in a relationship for at least two years;
- your children under 18 at the date of application (and children already in the UK as your dependants).
Children born in the UK while you are on the visa do not need to apply before travelling, but do need permission to stay.
Not everyone can bring family any more
Since 22 July 2025, workers sponsored in RQF 3–5 occupations through the interim Temporary Shortage List or the Immigration Salary List are generally barred from bringing dependants. This does not apply to occupations at RQF 6 or above, or to workers already in the route before the change. Check your occupation in the codes table.
What each dependant pays
| Cost | Adult dependant | Child dependant |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee (over 3 years, from outside UK) | £1,618 | £1,618 |
| Application fee (up to 3 years, from outside UK) | £819 | £819 |
| Healthcare surcharge, per year | £1,035 | £776 |
Dependants of Health and Care Worker visa holders pay the reduced application fee and are exempt from the surcharge.
Extra maintenance funds
On top of your own £1,270, you must show:
- £285 for a partner;
- £315 for a first child;
- £200 for each additional child.
So a couple with two children needs £1,270 + £285 + £315 + £200 = £2,070, held for 28 consecutive days — unless your sponsor certifies maintenance.
Worked example: family of four, five-year visa
| Application fees (£1,618 × 4) | £6,472 |
| IHS — two adults (£1,035 × 5 × 2) | £10,350 |
| IHS — two children (£776 × 5 × 2) | £7,760 |
| Total up front | £24,582 |
Add super priority processing for all four and it passes £28,500. This is why many people apply for a three-year visa first and extend later — though extending costs the inside-UK fee and another block of surcharge, so it is rarely cheaper overall.
What your family can do here
- Partners can work in almost any job, including self-employment, without needing their own sponsor.
- Children can study at state schools free of charge.
- Dependants cannot claim most public funds.
- Their visas expire when yours does — extensions and settlement are applied for together.
Model your exact family total, including priority services, in the visa cost calculator.