The PBS (Points-Based System) is the UK’s immigration system to manage the entry of foreign skilled workers, students, and other individuals. Visa routes under the Point-based system require the applicants to achieve points on the basis of specific criteria, such as academic qualifications, language proficiency, and job sponsorship. 

The PBS-dependent visa allows the dependant partners and dependent children of these migrants to come to or stay with them in the UK for the duration of their visas.

A child of a person who is living lawfully in the UK with a visa under the PBS (Points-Based System), such as the Skilled Worker visa or Global Talent visa, may be eligible to join or remain as their dependent in the UK. PBS Dependant Child visa is for such children whose parent(s) holds a work or study visa under the Points-Based System, such as a Skilled Worker visa, Innovator Founder visa, or Student Visa.  

A dependent child is a person under 18 who is not married or in a civil partnership and who remains financially and emotionally supported by their parent(s) on the date of application. A child aged 18 or over may also be considered if they currently have leave to enter or leave to remain to be in the UK as a dependant which started before they were aged under 18.

Dependent children rely on the parent’s sponsorship working on a route under the PBS. The child’s stay in the UK is tied to the permission held by the main applicant and ends when the parent’s visa expires.

The Home Office assesses a child’s dependency based on various factors such as living arrangements and financial reliance. Proof such as parental financial support, shared accommodation, and ongoing communication is often required to demonstrate this dependency.

A dependent child can apply at the same time as the lead applicant. The lead applicant is the child’s parent/guardian who is applying for, holds permission to stay, or has settled status on the basis of holding permission on one of the routes under the Point-Based System). 

However, a dependent child is not required to apply at the same time as the lead applicant, and they can also apply to join the lead applicant later.

Eligible routes for PBS dependent child

A child can apply as a dependant if their parent has or is applying for one of the following worker or temporary worker visas under the PBS (Point-Based System) work visa types:

• Skilled Worker visa and its predecessor, Tier 2 (General) visa 

• Global Business Mobility routes below: 

o Senior or Specialist Worker visa and the predecessors Intra-Company Transfer route and Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) route 

  o Graduate Trainee visa and the predecessor Intra-Company Graduate Trainee route

             o UK Expansion Worker visa 

  o Service Supplier visa

  o Secondment Worker visa

• T2 Minister of Religion visa and its predecessor Tier 2 - Minister of Religion visa 

• International Sportsperson visa and its predecessors, T2 Sportsperson visa, Tier 2 (Sportsperson) sporting worker under Appendix T5 (Temporary Worker) Creative or Sporting Worker, and Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) in the sub-category Creative and Sporting for migrants sponsored as a sporting worker. 

• Representative of an Overseas Business visa

• UK Ancestry visa 

• Global Talent visa and its predecessor T1 (Exceptional Talent) visa

• High Potential Individual visa

• Innovator Founder Visa

• Start-up Visa

• Scale-up Vis 

• Temporary Work routes below: 

o Creative Worker visa and its predecessor Creative Worker under Appendix T5 (Temporary Worker) Creative or Sporting Worker and Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) in the sub-category Creative and Sporting for migrants sponsored as a creative worker) 

o Religious Worker visa and its predecessors, T5 (Temporary Worker) Religious Worker and Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) in the Religious Worker sub-category) 

o Charity Worker visa and its predecessors, T5 (Temporary Worker) Charity Worker and Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) in the Charity Worker sub-category) 

o Government Authorised Exchange visa and its predecessors T5 (Temporary Worker), Government Authorised Exchange Worker, and Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) in the Government Authorised Exchange sub-category) 

o International Agreement visa and its predecessors T5 (Temporary Worker) International Agreement Worker and Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) in the International Agreement sub-category)

Each of these visa categories (except some mentioned below) allows dependants (partner and children) to come to or stay in the UK, provided they satisfy the relationship and dependency criteria. For the Skilled Worker visa, the child’s eligibility depends on the lead applicant’s CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship) and evidence of financial maintenance. 

Changes in the following routes for dependents

From 22 July 2025, new Skilled Worker visa holders in roles at RQF Level? 3–5 listed on the ISL (Immigration Salary List) or TSL (Temporary Shortage List) will not be allowed to bring their dependent partner and children, whereas those in RQF Level?6 (graduate-level) or above jobs may continue to sponsor dependants. Also, existing dependants including children under earlier sponsorship remain eligible.

From 22 July 2025, a person who has been newly sponsored as a care worker (6135) or senior care worker (6136) is no longer allowed to bring their dependants to the UK.  However, care workers and senior care workers employed before 11 March 2024, under a Health and Care Worker visa, can bring their partner and children to join or remain with them.

Some visa routes, such as the Start-up, Tier 1 Entrepreneur, and Tier 1 Investor visas, are closed to new applicants. However, existing visa holders under these routes may still have their dependants.

Validity requirements for dependent children of a person on the PBS route in the UK

A person seeking entry clearance to the UK or permission to stay here as a dependent child of the lead applicant under the PBS route must apply online on the gov.uk website using the specified application form. 

They must satisfy all the following criteria:

• Any application fee and immigration health charge (where applicable) must have been paid; and

• The applicant must have enrolled in biometrics when required; and

• The applicant must have submitted a passport or other valid document to establish their identity and nationality; and

• The application must be made as a dependent child of a person who is seeking entry clearance or permission to stay on the route that the dependent child is applying on that has not been decided, or has received entry clearance or permission to remain on the route which the dependent child is applying on, or their partner; and 

Unless applying under the Ancestry route and

• If the lead applicant has settled status or become a British citizen, the applicant must already hold permission as their dependent child; or

• The applicant must have been born before the lead applicant settled

• The person applying to switch into the lead applicant’s route must, on the date of application, be in the UK.

• The dependent child applying to switch (permission to stay) into the lead applicant’s route must not currently have, or have last been granted, permission on any of the following:

(a) Visitor visa; or

(b) Short-term Student visa; or

(c) Parent of a Child Student; or

(d) Seasonal Worker visa; or

(e) Domestic Worker in a Private Household; or

(f) Outside the Immigration Rules.

• The person who is applying for permission to stay and currently has, or last had, permission as a student, must satisfy one of the conditions below when they apply:

1. They must have completed the course of study for which they were assigned CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) or a course to which Appendix Student – Paragraph ST 27.3 applies; or

2. They must have completed at least 24 months of study on their course if the course was leading to a PhD award. 

Any application that does not satisfy all the validity criteria as a dependent child for the purpose of PBS dependent child visa may be rejected as invalid and not considered. 

Suitability/Part Suitability Requirements

A child’s application for a PBS dependent child visa must not fall for refusal under Immigration Rules - Part Suitability.

The applicant seeking permission to stay must not be:

(a) In breach of UK immigration laws, except that where the “Exceptions for overstayers” in Part Suitability applies; or

(b) On immigration bail. 

Eligibility requirements for a dependent child of a person on the PBS route

To be eligible for the PBS dependent child visa, the following apply:

• The child must be a daughter or son of the lead applicant or their partner. 

• For a first application, the child must be under 18 on the date of application. 

• A child aged 18 or over can also be considered a dependant if they currently have leave to enter or leave to remain as a dependant of the lead applicant or their partner, and they continue to meet dependency criteria. 

• The child must live with the lead applicant and/or their partner, and must neither be married to someone nor in a civil partnership with someone. 

• The child must not be living an independent life.

Entry requirements for a PBS dependent child visa 

A dependent child wishing to enter the UK on the PBS dependent child route must apply for and obtain entry clearance before arriving in the UK. They must also provide a TB test certificate (if Appendix Tuberculosis applies).

Other eligibility requirements include the following.

1. Relationship Requirements

PBS Dependant visa applicants are required to show genuine family relationships and dependency. Therefore, a child applying as a dependant on the PBS dependent route should meet the following requirements:

• The sponsoring parent must already have or be applying for a valid PBS visa (for example, Skilled Worker, Innovator Founder, or Global Talent) for the dependent child route to be used; or

• If both parents of the child exist, normally both of them should apply for their dependent child, or at least both should be lawfully present in the UK, unless one parent is the sole surviving parent; or

• There are serious and compelling circumstances to grant the child entry clearance or leave to remain in the UK.

2. Financial support and Maintenance requirements

Because dependent children under the PBS route cannot rely on public funds, the lead applicant (the sponsor) must show sufficient funds for maintenance and accommodation (where applicable).

Unless the route requires providing evidence of adequate maintenance and accommodation (UK Ancestry Visa and Representative of an Overseas Business Visa), the sponsor must have held funds mentioned below for a 28-day period.  

• £315 for the first dependent child 

• £200 for per additional dependent child 

Dependent children of people who have settled status or have been granted British citizenship cannot get maintenance certified by their sponsor, and they must always show cash funds.

The applicant seeking permission to stay who has been living in the UK with permission for at least 12 months on the date of application is not required to show any proof of funds.

If the sponsor does not show that they have sufficient funds to support the whole family, the PBS dependent visa for children will normally be refused.

If the sponsor of the dependent child is on any of the following PBS routes, they can rely on support from their employer.  

• Skilled Worker visa

• The Global Business Mobility routes, 

• Temporary Worker routes, 

• T2 Minister of Religion route, 

• Scale-up route

• International Sportsperson route 

The sponsor must have funds for each dependent child addition to any funds required for them and any other dependants in the UK or applying at the same time.

Children of care workers (6135) or senior care workers (6136) 

Their children may apply to come to or stay with them in the UK as their dependants. One of the following must be true:

• They have been continually employed as a care worker or senior care worker in the UK and on a Skilled Worker route since before 11 March 2024 

• They are applying for a child born in the UK

• They are the only living parent and have sole parental responsibility for their child, and they are applying for permission for their child to stay in the UK

• Their child's other parent is also sponsored as a care worker or senior care worker in the UK, and they are seeking permission for their child to stay in the UK

• Children of a person in a ‘medium-skilled’ job other than a care worker or a senior care worker; or

• There are compassionate and compelling reasons

If the sponsor is in a job listed as ‘medium skilled’, their children may apply to come to or stay with them in the UK as their dependants. One of the following must be true:

• They have been continually employed in the UK on a Skilled worker visa and in a ‘medium-skilled’ job since before 22 July 2025 

• They are applying for a child born in the UK

• They are the only living parent and have sole parental responsibility for their child, and they are applying for permission for their child to stay in the UK

• Their child's other parent is also sponsored as a care worker or senior care worker in the UK, and they are seeking permission for their child to stay in the UK

Documents they need

When applying for a PBS Dependent Child Visa, several supporting documents should be provided to prove identity, relationship, dependency, finances, accommodation, and legal status. Typical evidence includes: 

• Child’s passport or travel document

• Full birth certificate of the child showing details of both parents or adoption papers/ legal guardianship documents (if applicable)

• Evidence of legal relationship. Adoption papers for step-children, birth certificate for biological children, and proof of relationship for dependants of a sponsor’s partner

• If only one parent applies (or one parent is in the UK), proof of sole responsibility or custody/guardianship documents, or documentation of compelling circumstances, or consent of the other parent as required 

• Proof of maintenance funds, such as bank statements covering required amounts for the required period (unless employer/sponsor certified maintenance) 

• Proof of accommodation may also be needed (e.g., tenancy agreement, host guarantee, or employer-provided accommodation) — especially if required under your route. 

• Evidence of the main visa holder’s PBS status — e.g., CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship), visa letter, prior leave to remain or entry clearance, etc. 

• For children born in the UK, a full UK birth certificate showing parents' names and proof of relationship to the lead applicant

Applying from outside the UK

Each dependent child (only under 18) will need to make a separate application and pay the visa fee. The visa application fee depends on the visa route the lead applicant currently holds or is applying under. They must apply before travelling to the UK.

They will need the lead applicant’s application number. The lead applicant gets this when they apply. This number is called a GWF (Global Web Form) or a UAN (Unique Application Number). The lead applicant will find it in emails and letters from the Home Office.

The applicant child can also enter a ‘family linking code’ if the lead applicant got one when they applied. This will connect their applications.

As part of their online application for entry clearance, they will need to prove their identity. They can do so by using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app, where they scan their identity document, or by booking an appointment at a VAC (Visa Application Centre) in their country. 

If a person has booked an appointment at a VAC, on the date of the appointment, they will have their biometrics taken at the VAC. The applicant should allow time to attend their VAC appointment, as the visa application centre could be in another country.

The requirements for biometrics are subject to age limits as shown below: 

• under 6 years - facial photograph only 

• 6 to 16 years - facial photograph and fingerprints 

• above 16 years - facial photograph, fingerprints, and signature

Switching to a PBS child-dependent visa  

An application to switch to the PBS child dependant visa must be made from within the UK. If the lead applicant switches their visa, their child’s current visa will still be valid until its original end date. Their child will need to apply to switch their visa:

• at the same time as the lead applicant; or

• at any time before their current permission expires 

They will need the lead applicant’s application number. The lead applicant gets this when they apply. This number is called a GWF (Global Web Form) or a UAN (Unique Application Number). The lead applicant will find it in emails and letters from the Home Office.

The applicant child can also enter a ‘family linking code’ if the lead applicant got one when they applied. This will connect their applications.

 They will need to prove their identity as part of their application for permission to stay. They can prove it either by using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app, where they scan their identity document, or by booking an appointment at a UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services) service point in the UK.

 If a person has booked an appointment at a UKVCAS, on the date of the appointment, they will have their biometrics taken there.

The requirements for biometrics are subject to age limits as shown below: 

• under 6 years - facial photograph only 

• 6 to 16 years - facial photograph and fingerprints 

• above 16 years old - facial photograph, fingerprints, and signature

They can also submit supporting documents proving their eligibility. They can:

• Upload their documents into the UKVCAS online service; or 

• Have them scanned at their UKVCAS appointment

Getting a Decision

If a child fulfils all the requirements to be granted a PBS dependent child visa, they will be granted permission with an expiry date that is in line with the lead applicant’s permission. 

If their parents in the UK have visas with different expiry dates, or one parent has a settlement and the other does not, the dependant child’s visa will end on the expiry date of a parent whose permission will expire first, except on UK Ancestry, where permission is granted in line with the lead applicant. 

If both parents of the child have obtained a settlement or British citizenship, their child may be granted permission to stay for:

• 3 years for applications on the Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator, Scale–up, T2 Minister of Religion, or International Sportsperson route; or  

• 30 months for applications on the Representative of an Overseas Business or UK Ancestry route

How can Visa and Migration help?

UK PBS child dependent visa applications are lengthy and complex. You should seek a professional legal expert's advice to ensure you meet all the route-specific requirements and follow the correct procedure when completing visa application forms and submitting supporting documents.  Visa and Migration is a specialist UK Immigration adviser. We support clients with all types of immigration applications, including PBS (Points-Based System) dependant visas and settlement. 

If you need assistance or information about a PBS dependant visa or your immigration status, you can call us at +44 (0)20 3411 1261.