# Dependant child of a visa holder eligibility for Indian applicants, 2026

Who qualifies for the Dependant child of a visa holder from India, the thresholds that apply in 2026 and the tools to check before you pay.

Source: https://ukvisadesk.com/visas/dependant-child-visa/eligibility · Updated 2026-10-08 · Reviewed by UK Visa Desk counselling team, licence 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024 · UK Visa Desk, a brand of Pro Lifeset Overseas Private Limited, Patiala, India. WhatsApp +91 91155 80911, Mon to Sat, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM IST.

- One parent holds, or is applying for, permission as a Student (PhD, research degree or government-sponsored), Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Graduate, Global Talent, High Potential Individual or Innovator Founder
- Both parents are in the UK with permission or applying at the same time, or the parent in the UK has sole responsibility, or the other parent has died, or there are serious and compelling reasons
- The child is under 18 on the date of application; a child who turns 18 while holding dependant permission can extend
- The child is not married, not in a civil partnership and not living an independent life
- The child will live with the parent in the UK and will not depend on public funds
- Funds: worker and founder routes need £315 for the first child and £200 for each further child, held for 28 days, unless the sponsor certifies maintenance; student dependants need the monthly rate for up to 9 months
- Graduate route: the child already held Student-dependant permission, or was born in the UK during the parent's Student visa
- TB certificate from an approved clinic in India if the child is 11 or over

## FAQ
**How much does a UK dependant child visa cost from India?**
The same as the parent's route fee: £819 or £1,618 for Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker, £558 for a student's child and £937 for a Graduate's child. The health surcharge for under-18s is £776 a year. Use our fee calculator for the rupee total.

**Only I am in the UK. My wife stays in India with our son. Can he join me?**
Only if you have sole responsibility for him, or there are serious and compelling reasons. If your wife is involved in his life, the normal answer is no. The family route is for both parents to apply, or for your wife to come as your dependant partner with the child.

**Can my child go to school in the UK?**
Yes. A dependant child can attend state school. In England, you apply for a place through the local council after arrival, and a child under 5 can use funded nursery hours in most areas.

Full guide: https://ukvisadesk.com/visas/dependant-child-visa.md

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UK Visa Desk is a brand of Pro Lifeset Overseas Private Limited, a visa consultancy licensed by the Government of Punjab, India. We are a private company, not affiliated with the UK Government, and we are not regulated by the UK Immigration Advice Authority. We serve applicants who are in India; applicants already in the UK are referred to a regulated UK adviser. We do not handle work visas. Information here is general, not legal advice, and no visa outcome is guaranteed.
We do not handle UK work visas. Applicants already in the UK are referred to a regulated adviser.