GOV.UK
Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa
7. Family members
Your family members (dependants) must apply to join or remain with you in the UK if they’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
A dependant is any of the following:
- your partner
- your child under 18
- your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as a dependant
Read the guidance on dependant applications before you apply.
They also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of their application. Check how much they’ll have to pay before they apply.
You can use the premium service if you’re a dependant applying in the UK on your own or you’re applying for your UK-born child to stay.
Dependants applying outside the UK
Your family members must apply online (unless you’re applying from North Korea)
They need to have their fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre (to get a biometric residence permit) as part of their application.
They have to collect their biometric residence permit within 10 days of when they said they’d arrive in the UK.
They may be able to get their visa faster or get other services depending on what country they’re in - check with the visa application centre.
North Korea
Your family members can’t apply online if they’re from North Korea.
To apply from North Korea they must:
- download the form and guidance
- read the instructions on how to apply
Dependants applying in the UK on their own
Your dependants can apply to extend or switch their visas to stay with you if they’re already in the UK. Dependants can:
- apply online - dependant partner application
- apply online - dependant child application
- download the paper form
- apply in person for the premium service
Family members can’t apply in the UK as your dependant if they hold a visitor visa.
Biometric information
Each person applying must also provide their biometric information (fingerprints and a photo).
They can give their biometric information at:
- certain Post Office branches if they applied online (this costs £19.20)
- a premium service centre if they applied in person
They’ll get a biometric residence permit if their application is successful.
Children born while you’re in the UK
If you have children while you’re in the UK, you can apply for permission for them to stay.
You must do this if you want to travel in and out of the UK with them.
When you apply, send a full UK birth certificate for each child showing the names of both parents.
You can:
- apply online - dependant child application
- download the paper form
- apply in person for the premium service