UK Dependant Visa for PhD and Research Students: 2026 Rules

A UK dependant visa for a spouse or child is now mainly available to PhD and research-degree students and government-sponsored students. Since 1 January 2024, students on taught master’s courses generally cannot bring dependants. Each dependant must show £845 a month in London or £680 a month outside London, for up to 9 months, on top of the student’s own funds, and most dependants can work in the UK.

Last checked: 20 October 2026.

Key facts: UK dependant visa for students

Who can still bring dependants

The GOV.UK Student visa family members page says you must be either:

• a government-sponsored student on a course lasting longer than 6 months; or
• a full-time student on a postgraduate course (RQF level 7 or above) lasting at least 9 months. For courses starting on or after 1 January 2024, it must be a PhD or other doctorate (RQF 8) or a research-based higher degree.

The Immigration Rules define a research-based higher degree as “a postgraduate programme comprising a research component (including a requirement to produce original work)” and the university decides how your course is classified on the CAS. A typical one-year taught MSc or MBA does not qualify. If you are considering a research master’s such as an MPhil or MRes, ask the university’s visa team in writing whether the course meets this definition before you plan around bringing family.

The Appendix Student rule ST 31.1 also covers some continuing cases, for example where a dependant already holds dependant permission and the student applies for another qualifying course. Part-time students cannot bring dependants.

Who counts as a dependant

• a husband, wife or civil partner;
• an unmarried partner; or
• a child under 18, including a child born in the UK during your stay. The child must not be married or in a civil partnership and must live with you, unless in full-time education away from home.

Parents and siblings are not on this list, so they cannot come as Student dependants. A child who turns 18 during your stay is a separate case; check with your university visa team before their visa ends.

How much money dependants must show

GOV.UK says each dependant needs £845 a month (for up to 9 months) if your course is in London, or £680 a month (for up to 9 months) outside London. This is in addition to your own course fees and living costs. The money must be held for 28 consecutive days, with the end date within 31 days of the application.

Dependants don’t need to show this money if they have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months. Funded PhD students should check whether their sponsor’s letter covers dependants; if not, the family must show the funds. For Nepal-side paperwork, see our bank balance guide.

Budget example: PhD student with a spouse and one child

Here is what the two dependants alone add, using today’s GOV.UK amounts and the NRB selling rate, 17 Oct 2026 (£1 = Rs 202.99):

• Visa fees: 2 × £558 = £1,116 (about Rs 2.27 lakh), paid when applying.
• Health surcharge: 2 × £776 = £1,552 (about Rs 3.15 lakh) for each year of the visas, paid upfront for the whole visa length. A PhD visa usually covers several years, so this adds up quickly. Use the GOV.UK calculator for the exact figure.
• Funds to show: £15,210 in London (about Rs 30.88 lakh) or £12,240 outside London (about Rs 24.85 lakh), held for 28 days.

The funds are not a fee; they show you can support your family. The visa fees and surcharge are costs you pay. Neither the visa fee nor the surcharge counts towards the money you must show. For the student’s own costs, see our UK student visa cost guide.

Dependants’ work rights

Appendix Student ST 39.3 says a Student’s dependant may work, including self-employment and voluntary work, except:

• in some continuing cases under ST 31.1(d), where the student has been granted less than 9 months’ permission (unless continuing a course they previously had at least 9 months for), or where the student is on a below-degree course; and
• as a professional sportsperson, including sports coaching.

So a spouse joining a PhD student can normally work full-time. Dependants cannot claim public funds, and may study, subject to the ATAS condition for certain sensitive subjects if they are over 18.

Step by step: applying with your family from Nepal

1. Confirm eligibility. Get written confirmation from the university that your course is a PhD, doctorate or research-based higher degree, or that you are government-sponsored.
2. Prepare relationship documents. Marriage registration certificate, or for a child, a birth certificate. Our attestation and translation guide covers Nepali documents.
3. Arrange funds for yourself and each dependant, held for 28 days.
4. Each dependant applies separately, with you or later, and pays the £558 fee and health surcharge.
5. TB test. GOV.UK lists Nepal among countries where a TB test is needed if you’re coming for 6 months or more; see our UK TB test guide.
6. Apply at the visa centre in Kathmandu following our UK visa application guide.

What this means for Nepali families

Many Nepali couples previously planned a one-year taught master’s with the spouse joining to work. Under current rules that route is closed for courses starting since 1 January 2024. Beware anyone promising a “spouse visa with a master’s” for a taught course; that is not what GOV.UK says. If bringing family is a priority, compare destinations in our guide to bringing a spouse while studying abroad.

Common mistakes

• Assuming any postgraduate course qualifies.
• Showing only the student’s funds and forgetting the dependant amount.
• Moving money during the 28-day period.
• Not budgeting for each dependant’s visa fee and health surcharge.
• Unregistered marriage or missing translations of relationship documents.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring my wife to the UK on a master’s student visa?
Not on a taught master’s starting on or after 1 January 2024, unless you are government-sponsored. A research-based higher degree, PhD or other doctorate can qualify.

How much money does a UK student dependant need?
£845 a month in London or £680 a month outside London, for up to 9 months, per dependant, on top of the student’s own funds.

Can a UK student dependant work full-time?
In most cases yes. Appendix Student ST 39.3 permits work including self-employment, with exceptions such as professional sport and some short or below-degree continuing cases.

Can PhD students bring their family to the UK?
Yes. Full-time PhD and other doctoral students on courses of at least 9 months can bring a partner and children under 18.

How much is the UK dependant visa fee?
The Student visa fee of £558 applies to each person who joins you, plus the health surcharge of £776 per year of visa.

Related guides

• UK Student Accommodation Renting Guide for Nepali Students
• UK Foundation Year and Top-Up Degree Guide for Nepali Students
• UK Cost of Living for Students: London vs Outside London
• How to Apply for a UK Student Visa from Nepal (Step by Step)

Sources

• Student visa: family members – GOV.UK
• Student visa overview and fees – GOV.UK
• Healthcare surcharge: how much you pay – GOV.UK
• Immigration Rules Appendix Student (ST 31, ST 39) – GOV.UK
• Countries where you need a TB test – GOV.UK
• Immigration Rules Introduction (definition of research-based higher degree) – GOV.UK

Last checked: 20 October 2026. This is general information, not legal or immigration advice.