How family members can join you on the Global Talent visa

The Global Talent visa is a route that allows talented and promising individuals to work in the art, science or digital technology sectors in the UK. Successful applicants may be able to bring their partner and children to the UK as dependants.

As a Global Talent visa holder, you can bring your partner and children (under 18 years of age) to the UK as dependants, provided they meet certain eligibility requirements. If your partner and children (including those aged 18 and above in certain circumstances) are already in the UK, they can apply to switch or extend their existing visas to join you as dependants on your Global Talent visa.

Eligibility for a dependent partner (outside the UK)

A partner is defined as someone who is your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner. Applicants who are married or are in civil partnerships will need to provide evidence of their marriage/civil partnership, ensuring that it is recognised in the country where the ceremony took place. Those who are unmarried must prove that they have been cohabiting for at least two years, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Unmarried couples who do not live together will need to evidence their commitment to each other. This can be demonstrated by evidence of regular communication with one another, photos of holidays and other shared experiences, proof that the couple support each other financially and evidence of caring for shared children.

Eligibility for dependent children (outside the UK)

Only children under the age of 18 are eligible for a Dependant visa from outside the UK. As a Global Talent visa holder, you must prove that they live with you or, if they are living away from home, are in full-time education. If your child is over the age of 16 but under 18, you will have to prove that they do not lead an independent life.

Applicants within the UK

Partners and children within the UK can apply to be dependants of a Global Talent visa holder by switching or extending their existing visa.

However, applicants are ineligible to switch or extend their visa if their current permission to stay is one of the following:

• A visit visa
• A short-term student visa
• A Parent of a Child Student visa
• A Seasonal Worker visa
• Domestic Worker in a Private Household visa
• Permission to stay outside the rules
• Immigration bail

Dependants on Student visas are only able to switch or extend their visa if they have already completed their course of study or are 24 months into their PhD course.

Those who are applying to switch their visas will be required to provide the Global Talent visa holder’s Global Web Form (GWF) or Unique Application Number (UAN). Both numbers can be found on the Global Talent visa holder’s application form. This number will link the dependant’s application to the Global Talent visa holder.

Submitting the application

Each dependant must submit a separate application, paying the application fee of £766 and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fee. The IHS fee can vary depending on the age of the applicant and duration of the visa, but is usually £1,035 for each year of the visa.

Once your application has been submitted, you will be provided with a checklist of required supporting documents to submit. This includes:

• A valid passport
• Tuberculosis test (depending on current residence)
• Evidence of the relationship to the main applicant (including marriage/civil partnership certificates for married/civil partners)
• Birth Certificates for children

All dependant applicants will need to book a biometric appointment at a visa application centre, where they will have their fingerprints and photo taken.

What you can and can’t do as a dependant

Approved dependants joining the Global Talent visa holder from outside the UK will be granted a visa with the same end date as the main applicant. Dependant visa holders are allowed to work (expect as a sportsperson or coach), study and travel.

Neither dependent partners nor dependsnt children have recourse to public funds.

Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) on the Global Talent route

Global Talent visa holders can include their dependants on their ILR applications, provided the dependants satisfy the eligibility requirements.

Dependent partners have the following requirements:

• To have permission to be in the UK as the dependant of a Global Talent visa holder
• To have lived in the UK with the Global Talent visa holder, in a genuine relationship, for at least five continuous years
• To intend to continue living with the Global Talent visa holder
• To not be using public funds
• The Global Talent visa holder must have enough income to support themselves and all their dependants
• The partner must meet the English language requirements
• The partner must pass the Life in the UK Test

Dependent children have the following requirements:

• To have permission to be in the UK as the dependant of a Global Talent visa holder
• To not be married or in a civil partnership
• To be financially supported by the Global Talent visa holder without the use of public funds
• Both parents of the dependant must have applied to settle or have already settled in the UK. The exception to this is where the child only has one surviving parent, or the Global Talent visa holder has sole responsibility for the child.

Children aged 18 and over can only be included in the ILR application if they were under 18 when they received permission to be in the UK as a dependant and do not live an independent life. Similarly to dependent partners, children aged 18 and over will have to meet the English language requirements and pass the Life in the UK Test.

If dependants are not eligible for ILR at the same time as the Global Talent visa holder’s application is submitted, they may continue to extend their visas as dependants and apply at a later date.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on all UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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