Can I bring my children to the UK on a spouse visa?

Yes. Children under 18 can be included as dependants on a spouse visa application. They must be the children of the applicant or the UK-based sponsor, and they must not be living an independent life or married.

How much extra does it cost to include children?

Each child pays their own visa application fee (currently £1,846 per child for a spouse visa dependant) and the Immigration Health Surcharge at the reduced child rate. The costs add up quickly for larger families.

What if my child has a different father or mother?

Children from a previous relationship can be included if they are under 18, currently living with the applicant, and the other parent consents to the child moving to the UK. You will need a consent letter from the other parent or a court order.

Do children need to take an English language test?

No. Children included as dependants on a spouse visa do not need to pass an English language test or the Life in the UK test at any stage.

Children on a UK Spouse Visa: Bringing Your Children to the UK

Children under 18 can be included as dependants on a UK spouse visa. Each child requires their own application and fees. You need consent from any other parent, proof of the relationship, and evidence of accommodation. This guide walks through every aspect.

Eligibility

A child can be included on your spouse visa application if they:

Are under 18 at the date of application
Are not married, in a civil partnership, or living an independent life
Are the child of the applicant or the UK-based sponsor (or both)
Will live with and be maintained by the applicant or sponsor

This includes biological children, legally adopted children, and children for whom you have legal responsibility. The rules are set out in Appendix FM on GOV.UK.

Costs Per Child

Each child pays:

Visa application fee: The same as the main applicant (currently £1,846)
IHS: Reduced rate for under-18s (currently £776 per year)
Biometrics: Included in the application for overseas applicants

For a family with two children on a 2.5-year spouse visa, the children's fees alone can exceed £7,500. Include this in your budget planning.

Consent from the Other Parent

If a child has another parent who is not part of the application, you need their written consent for the child to move to the UK. This should be:

A signed letter confirming they consent to the child living in the UK
A copy of the other parent's ID document
If the other parent refuses consent: a court order granting you sole custody or permission to take the child abroad
If the other parent is deceased: a death certificate
If the other parent cannot be contacted: evidence of your efforts to reach them and an explanation

The Home Office takes child welfare seriously. Without proper consent or a court order, the child's application may be refused.

Documents for Children

For each child, prepare:

The child's passport
Birth certificate showing the parents' names
Adoption certificate (if applicable)
Consent letter from the other parent (if applicable)
Evidence that the child will live with and be supported by the applicant or sponsor
School records (if the child is school age)

See our spouse visa documents checklist for the complete list including children's documents.

At Each Stage of the Journey

Initial Application

Children apply at the same time as the main applicant. They attend biometrics appointments (children under 5 need a photo only; children 5+ need fingerprints too).

Extension

When you extend your spouse visa, children extend at the same time. They pay the extension fee and IHS again.

Settlement (ILR)

Children can apply for ILR alongside you. They do not need to pass the Life in the UK test or meet the English language requirement.

Citizenship

After ILR, children can apply for British citizenship. If they are under 18 at the time of application, they register rather than naturalise.

Children Born in the UK During Your Visa

If you have a child while in the UK on a spouse visa, see our guide on children born in the UK on a spouse visa for citizenship rules and next steps.

Next Steps

Gather all documents for each child, obtain consent from any other parent, and budget for the per-child fees. Apply for children at the same time as the main application for the smoothest process. If consent is contested, seek legal advice early.

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