Dependant of a worker/student (partner & child)

United Kingdom · for applicants from Nigeria

Verified · 22 June 2026

For the partner and children of someone on certain work or (limited) study routes to join them. Most taught-Master's students can no longer bring dependants (Jan 2024 ban); dependants remain possible for PhD/research students and most work routes. Maintenance amounts apply per dependant.

Rules last verified: 22 June 2026 · by Beatrice B

At a glance

Embassy processing

About 3 weeks (work routes)

Our turnaround

5–7 working days

Done-for-you Standard

Government fees

~£1,924

≈ ₦3,518,996

Why applications get refused

Route does not allow dependants

Main route (e.g. taught-Master's student) bars dependants.

Fix: Confirm the main route permits dependants before applying.

Extra maintenance not shown

Per-dependant funds not held for 28 days.

Fix: Add and hold the per-dependant amounts for the required period.

Document checklist

Required

Dependant's current passport

When: "all"

Your dependant needs to prove their identity, either through the UK Immigration: ID Check app or biometrics at a visa application centre, where they take their passport.

Marriage/CP certificate or proof of relationship

When: "partner"

You must prove a civil partnership or marriage recognised in the UK, or that you have lived together in a relationship for 2 years or more.

Common mistake

If you cannot live together, you still need to show you communicate regularly, support each other financially, and care for any children together.

Child's birth certificate

When: "child"

For a child born in the UK, you need a full birth certificate showing the names of both parents.

Proof of additional maintenance funds

When: "all"

You, your partner or your child need to have had the extra maintenance money available for at least 28 days in a row, with day 28 within 31 days of applying.

Common mistake

Not holding the per-dependant amounts, £285 for a partner, £315 for one child, £200 for each additional child, for the full 28 days is a common reason maintenance fails.

TB test certificate

When: "Nigeria"

The Home Office needs proof you do not have infectious tuberculosis before granting entry for a stay of 6 months or more from a listed country.

Common mistake

Leaving the chest x-ray too late is a common error, since the certificate is only valid for 6 months from the date of the x-ray and must come from an approved clinic.

Application timeline

1. Prepare your application

Gather documents, draft supporting letters, complete forms

1–3 weeks

2. Rekoja review (if Done-for-you)

Specialist checks your file before you submit

5–7 working days

3. Submit online or at visa centre

Biometrics appointment may be required

1 day

4. Embassy decision

Standard processing. Priority options may be available.

About 3 weeks (work routes)

All-in government fees

These are the fees you pay to the government, not Rekoja's service fee. Shown at the indicative exchange rate.

Mandatory

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), per year

£1,035

1,893,015

Visa application fee

£819

1,497,951

Tuberculosis (TB) test at an approved clinic (IOM Nigeria charges about $94; the price is set by the clinic, not the Home Office)

£70

128,030

Biometric enrolment

£0

0

Total government fees

1,924

≈ ₦3,518,996

Optional

Priority / super-priority service (optional)

£500

914,500

Indicative. 1 GBP = 1829 NGN · 2026-08-03. Government fees change. Confirm on the official website before paying.

What a free chatbot cannot do

A free AI can tell you the rules. Rekoja does the harder part: we verify them against the official government source, prepare the actual application file, catch what gets people refused, and a specialist checks everything before you submit. We stand behind our work.

  • Rules verified against the official source, with the date
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  • The inconsistency check that catches what gets people refused
  • A human reviews your complete file before submission

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Common questions about the Dependant of a worker/student (partner & child)

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Real outcomes

100% approved

Based on 12 reported outcomes across all Rekoja cases. This is a look back at past cases, not a prediction. The embassy decides; past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

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Not a visa decision or legal advice. Rules shown are as of the last verification date above. Immigration rules change. Confirm before filing. The embassy decides, not Rekoja.