British citizenship thereafter. But did you know that your family could also join you during the Skilled Worker-Dependent Visa? This process, like the visa application, is quite easy if you have proper guidance, and this article outlines all steps clearly to help ease out the application process for you and your family. What is Skilled Worker Visa?To get the UK Skilled Worker Visa, one must have a job offer from an employer who is approved by the Home Office to sponsor a worker. That job must be at a skill level at least A-level or equivalent (RQF Level 3) or above. The visa allows the successful applicants to arrive and stay for up to five years, with a chance to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after that, depending on a few conditions. Thus, that started the pathway toward British citizenship.One of the more rewarding benefits of this visa is that your family members can accompany you to the UK as dependents, thus easing settling down in the country together.Which Type of a Person May Be Called a Dependent?For a dependent, the family must meet certain criteria. Under the UK immigration laws, the following persons qualify to be your dependents:Spouse: legally wedded partner.Civil Partner: Partner in a civil partnership as recognized in UK law.Unmarried Partner: This can mean the same thing as partner which does not include marriage, for a minimum of two years as a significant other.Children: Children under 18 may qualify. If children over 18 were previously granted to stay in the UK as dependents, they may also qualify.You’ll need to present evidence to establish your relationship with the dependents, such as marriage certificates, birth certificates, adoption papers, or proof of cohabitation (like joint bank accounts, or travel evidence).The Skilled Worker-Dependent Visa RequirementsWhen applying for the Skilled Worker-Dependent Visa, both the primary visa holder (the skilled worker) and their dependents must fulfill certain requirements.Financial Requirement: You must demonstrate to the Home Office that you have enough financial funds to cover your living costs, which must be at least £38,700 per year. The Home Office reserves the right to assess these fund sources through bank statements or from a sponsorship letter.Accommodation: When some people rent an accommodation or own it, it should comply with local health and safety standards and should not be shared with others.English Language Requirements: You and your dependents may need to prove proficiency in the English language if this is a requirement. The evidence used to show this proficiency usually be in the form of either an English language test or a degree from an institution that taught in English.Health and Criminal Checks: A TB (tuberculosis) test might be requested for most jobs based on the country you’re coming from, along with police certificate or criminal record checks.Step-by-Step Application ProcessThe steps involved in applying for a UK Skilled Worker Visa and dependent visa for your family are quite some:First, Secure Employment with Approved Employers: The first step is to secure employment that qualifies under the criteria for a visa application conditioned upon sponsorship by the approved employer in the UK. Only upon receiving the job offer can you continue.Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is Issued: Your employer will issue a Certificate of Sponsorship once a job offer has been made to you to support your visa application.Application Online: Log in to the official website of the UK Government and fill in the online visa application. A payment of the application fee will also be required.Make Biometrics: Biometrics consists of taking fingerprints and a photo, which form part of the application.Document Preparation: Ensure that you and your dependents present all supporting documents required by the CoS, the proof of funding, proof of relationship, and any necessary certification.Payments: The applicant needs to pay the visa application fee, the fee for biometrics, the healthcare surcharge, and any other relevant costs.Awaiting Approval: After submitting everything, all you need to do is wait to know the status of your application.The Immigration Health Surcharge is for almost all applications, which includes those of skilled workers and their dependents. This is an annual fee that entitles access to NHS UK. Beginning February 2024, most applicants will need to pay an annual fee of £1,035 toward the surcharge, although a few visa categories such as students and people on the Youth Mobility Scheme, will have a reduced annual rate of £776. The charge has actually been assimilated into the application and in case your visa application is rejected, a refund will be done to you.Joining Your Family in the United Kingdom as a DependentWith approval of your dependent visa, your family has several rights in the UK.Working and Studying: Dependents are allowed to work and study in the UK. Only exceptions will apply to cases of training doctors and professional sportspeople.Public Services Access: You will now have access to the NHS and other public benefits, such as the state pension depending generally upon your circumstances.Free Education: Basic education from 5 years to 16 years of dependent children is considered free of charge in the UK.Potential Delays and Reasons for RejectionThe application process is fairly simple; however, these are some common pitfalls which may delay or cause the application to be rejected:Incomplete Applications: Make sure that you check twice to see that all sections of the application form have been filled in before submission. If essential information is omitted or false forms are used, delays may arise.Weak Evidence: Provide substantial evidence in support of your application-whether it be proof of relationship bond, financial standing, or other occupations. Missing documents or irrelevant pieces of evidence can definitely ruin one’s chances of getting a successful outcome.Falsified Information: Never give false information on credit applications for this will turn against you and have serious repercussions such as rejection of your visa or being banned from entering the UK.ConclusionObtaining your UK Skilled Worker Visa and settling your family through the dependent visa route, is one realistic goal once you understand the process. Although it may appear very much
