Dependant visas and visitors

Dependant visas

Only your partner and children can apply as your dependants.

For more information about the eligibility requirements and application process, visit our pages: 

Applying for a Dependant visa from outside of the UK

Applying for a Dependant visa inside the UK

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Family and friends visiting you in the UK

With this visa they can stay for up to six months, but they cannot work or access free healthcare. 

Children visiting cannot attend state schools, but some study is permitted if the course is less than six months. For more information on studying as a Visitor, refer to the following page:

Studying as a Visitor

Do they need to apply for a visa to visit?

Visa nationals 

All visa nationals need to apply for and obtain a Visit visa before travelling to the UK.

Non-visa nationals

Visitors of nationalities not on the visa nationals list can travel to the UK without a visa and seek entry for six months as a Visitor at the UK border.

However, from 2 April 2025 all visitors coming to the UK will need to apply for and obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the UK, but some visitors will need this earlier. This is being introduced in stages for visitors of different nationalities. Refer to our Visitor and short-term student visas page for more information on the dates where this will apply to your visitors.

Your visitors should ensure they carry all documents relevant to their visit to the UK (details can be found in the 'Documents' section below) in their hand luggage as a Border Force Officer could ask to see these, even if they have an ETA. An ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK.

Documents

Financial documents

• Evidence of finances to show that you and/or your visitor can afford their living costs during the visit and afford the cost of their return or onward journey from the UK
• Evidence of where the funds come from (eg employment, savings, investments)

Genuine reason for visiting

Your visitor must also be able to show a genuine reason for coming to the UK. If it is to visit you as a student or to attend your graduation ceremony after your studies, these could include evidence of your circumstances:

• Evidence of your studies or invitation to graduation (Certificate of Student Status from SSiD - student login required)
• A copy of your passport, visa and biometric residence card, if you have one.
• Your tenancy agreement or a letter from your landlord, if your visitor is staying with you.

Showing intention to leave

Your visitor will need to show evidence of strong ties back to their home country and evidence of their financial status.

Documents include

• Letter from their employer, school or university
• Proof of savings or property
• Proof of relationships, such as a marriage certificate
• Proof of income, such as six months of bank statements
• Evidence of return flight to leave the UK (if already booked)

Family and friends invitation letter

If you are inviting family or friends to come to visit the UK to join you, you may wish to adapt and provide the template letter below for their visa application. This is for general guidance only and you should amend it to suit your circumstances.

You should sign the letter yourself. It does not need to be signed by the University. 

Once completed, you can give this document to your visitor(s) so they can apply for the visa.

Visitor visa sample letter (Word, 16KB)