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Dependency Visa

This UK visa class makes it possible for a person to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK. This is based on the fact that they are dependent on the person who is settled in the UK.

Nature of Dependency

If you want to apply for the UK dependency visa, you must be related to the person who is present and settled in one of the following ways:

1. Mother or grandmother who is a widow aged 65 years or over;
2. Father or grandfather who is a widower aged 65 years or over;
3. Parent or grandparents travelling together of whom at least one is aged 65 or over;
4. A parent or grandparent aged 65 or over who has remarried but cannot look to the spouse or children of the second marriage for financial support and the person settled in the United Kingdom is able and willing to support him and any dependants;
5. A parent or grandparent under the age of 65 living alone in the most exceptional compassionate circumstances and mainly dependent financially on relatives settled in the United Kingdom;
6. The son, daughter, sister, brother, aunt or uncle over the age of 18 if living alone in exceptional circumstances and is mainly dependent financially on relatives settled in the United Kingdom.
7. Spouses, unmarried partners and children under 18 of Work Permit holders (except SBS Work Permit holders)

In addition, you must also provide evidence of the following:

1. That you are financially mainly dependent on the relative present and settled in the United Kingdom;
2. That you can and will be maintained and accommodated with any dependants without relying on public funds;
3. That you have no other relatives in your own country to whom you could get financial support from.

Duration

Although there is no limit on this UK visa class, it should be noted that if you hold Leave to Remain, you must not spend periods of more than 2 years outside the UK as you could potentially lose your Leave to Remain. Once you have applied for the UK dependency visa you are entitled to apply for naturalisation as a UK citizen after you have spent five years living in the UK continuously and you have held permanent residence for one year prior to the application.

In addition, you will need to satisfy all the naturalisation requirements.

Entry Clearance

It is necessary to apply for entry clearance and it has to be made through the British High Commission in your home country.

Rules and Restrictions

If you are granted with a dependency visa, the following rules apply:

1. The visa will be granted for the same period as the main applicant
2. You do not require a work permit and you are entitled to work without any restrictions unless you are a dependent of a retired person of independent means who is not permitted to work
3. You are permitted to leave and enter the UK as many times as you like
4. You must not rely on public funds Indefinite leave to remain This visa does lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain as long as the main applicant obtains Indefinite Leave to Remain at the same time.

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