Global Talent Visa Dependants UK
The Global Talent visa allows you to bring your family to the UK. This guide explains who qualifies as a dependant, the costs involved, their rights in the UK, and how they apply.
- Section
- Global Talent
- Reading time
- 8 min
- Last checked
- 2 September 2026
- Source
- The published Immigration Rules and GOV.UK guidance, linked throughout this guide.
- Rowan does not
- Look at your own case, tell you which route to choose, or say what the Home Office will decide. This guide shows the published rules and where to read them.
In short
- Spouse, partner, and children under 18 can join you.
- Dependants have unrestricted work rights.
- Each dependant pays a £766 visa fee plus the Immigration Health Surcharge.
- Dependants can apply for settlement after 5 years in the UK.
Global Talent visa holders can bring their spouse, partner, and children to the UK as dependants. Dependants can work, and can apply for settlement after 5 years in the UK.
Who Can Be a Dependant?
The following family members can apply as your dependants on the Global Talent visa:
- Spouse or civil partner. You must be legally married or in a civil partnership.
- Unmarried partner. You must have lived together in a relationship for at least 2 years.
- Children under 18. Your own children or your partner's children, who are under 18 at the date of application.
For general guidance on adding dependants, see our adding dependants guide.
Dependant Costs
Each dependant pays the following fees (see Global Talent cost guide):
- Visa fee: £766, whatever length of visa they apply for. The fee is no longer banded by how long the visa lasts
- Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year (£5,175 for 5 years)
- Total per dependant: £5,941 for 5 years
For the full fee picture, see the UK visa fees guide.
Work Rights
Dependants on the Global Talent visa can work in almost any job. GOV.UK says they can:
- Work for any employer
- Be self-employed
- Start a business
- Work in any role, with no list of eligible occupations
The one exception is that they cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach. They also cannot claim public funds.
This is the same as the main applicant's work rights. Compare with Skilled Worker dependant work rights.
Applying as a Dependant
Dependants can apply at the same time as the main applicant or join later. The application is submitted through GOV.UK. You will need:
- Valid passport
- Evidence of the relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificates, cohabitation evidence)
- The main applicant's visa details
- Biometrics (if applying from outside the UK)
Children's Rights
Children who come to the UK as Global Talent dependants can:
- Attend school — see our school places guide
- Access NHS healthcare (via the IHS)
- Apply for settlement after 5 years living in the UK
Path to ILR
A dependant can apply for ILR once they have lived in the UK for 5 years. A main applicant endorsed as exceptional talent can apply after 3 years, so the two applications do not always fall at the same time. Dependants must meet the continuous residence and Life in the UK test requirements. After ILR, they can apply for British citizenship.
Next Steps
Check the Global Talent requirements for the main applicant. For official information on dependant applications, visit GOV.UK.
Related guides:
Questions and answers
Can I bring my family on a Global Talent visa?
Yes. Your spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner (if you have lived together for 2 or more years), and children under 18 can apply as your dependants.
Can Global Talent dependants work in the UK?
Yes, with one exception. GOV.UK says dependants can work in any job except as a professional sportsperson or sports coach. They can work for any employer, be self-employed, or start a business. They cannot claim public funds.
How much does it cost for dependants?
Each dependant pays a visa fee of £766, whatever length of visa they apply for, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year. For a 5-year visa, the total per dependant is £5,941.
This guide is general information about published immigration rules. It is not advice about an individual application under s.82 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, and Rowan is not regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority. Immigration rules change several times a year. For advice on a particular situation, contact an adviser authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority or an immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the authoritative current rules.