Different rules apply on the processing of applications for/by dependants of Tier 1 visa applicants and dependants of those who already hold one. In all cases though, the following are considered as qualified dependants and may be given entry clearance or permission to stay (leave to remain) by the UK government: children under 18 years old, Tier 1 visa applicant’s/holder’s husband, wife, civil partner, or same-sex partner).

A separate application form should be filled out by dependants and if you are already in the United Kingdom and are processing your own application, you are advised to send your application at the same time as your dependant’s (in the same envelope) to avoid paying a separate dependant fee. Furthermore, you should state whether your dependant is submitting his/her application at the same time as yours.

If you have already received an official confirmation that your application was successful and if you are now awaiting your Tier 1 visa, you should also state this information in your dependant’s application, apart from stating the category under which you have applied for a visa.

The following are the supporting documents that dependants must submit together with their application:

Personal bank or building society statements covering the previous three-month period
Building society passbook
Letter from bank confirming funds and that the dependant has been in the bank for at least the previous three months
Letter from a financial institution regulated by the Financial Services Authority confiming funds

Letters from the above-mentioned institutions which only show account balances on a particular will not be considered since they do not prove that you hold enough funds for the whole three-month period.