Child Born in the UK – Skilled Worker Dependant Visa Guide

Child Born in the UK – What Parents Need to Know

A child born in the UK does not automatically become a British citizen in every case. Where the child requires immigration permission as a Skilled Worker dependant, parents should arrange the appropriate dependant permission, particularly before international travel.

Who Can Apply as a Skilled Worker Dependant Child?

A child under 18 can potentially qualify as a Skilled Worker dependant, including a child born in the UK during the parent's stay. A child aged 18 or over may qualify where they already have permission in the UK as the Skilled Worker's dependant and continue to meet the applicable requirements.

Essential Documents for a UK-Born Child

• Child's current valid passport or other acceptable travel/identity document
• Full UK birth certificate showing the names of both parents
• Skilled Worker parent's valid passport/identity details
• Skilled Worker parent's current eVisa or evidence of immigration permission
• Other parent's passport/identity details
• Other parent's current UK immigration status, where applicable
• Main applicant's GWF or Unique Application Number (UAN), where required for linking the application
• Family linking code, if one was issued and is being used
• Evidence requested through the child's online application
• Financial/maintenance evidence where the requirement applies
• TB certificate where required for an entry-clearance application
• Certified translations of relevant documents that are not in English or Welsh, where required

Useful Additional Supporting Documents

• Parents' marriage or civil partnership certificate, where relevant
• Evidence showing the child lives with the parent(s), if relevant to the circumstances
• NHS or GP registration/letters where useful
• Evidence explaining any difference in parents' or child's names
• Name-change or marriage documents where relevant
• Evidence relating to sole parental responsibility, if that is relevant to eligibility
• Relevant court or custody documents where applicable
• Cover letter explaining unusual family or immigration circumstances, where useful

Applying from Inside the UK

The correct application depends on whether the child is inside or outside the UK. For an eligible UK-born child who is in the UK, parents should use the current Skilled Worker dependant-child application process for permission to stay.

Applying from Outside the UK

A child outside the UK who qualifies as a Skilled Worker dependant must apply for entry clearance before travelling to the UK. Each dependant makes a separate application. The application can be linked to the main Skilled Worker using the relevant application number and, where available, a family linking code.

If the Child Was Born in the UK but Is Now Outside the UK

Being born in the UK does not itself give a child permission to return to the UK. If a UK-born child leaves the UK without the immigration permission needed to return as a dependant, the parents should check the child's eligibility and use the appropriate application process from outside the UK before travelling back.

Financial / Maintenance Requirement

Where the Skilled Worker dependant maintenance requirement applies, the current amount is £315 for the first dependant child and £200 for each additional dependant child. A dependant partner requires £285. These amounts are separate from the main Skilled Worker's own maintenance requirement where that also applies.

Where funds must be evidenced, the required money generally needs to have been held for at least 28 consecutive days, with day 28 falling within 31 days before the application. Evidence may not normally be required where the relevant family members have already been in the UK with valid permission for at least 12 months, or where the sponsor's employer certifies qualifying maintenance on the Certificate of Sponsorship.

Special Rule for Care Workers and Senior Care Workers

Skilled Worker dependant eligibility is restricted for some care workers and senior care workers. However, the current GOV.UK rules contain specific exceptions, including circumstances involving a child born in the UK.

• Check whether the Skilled Worker has been continuously employed in the relevant care-worker route since before 11 March 2024
• Check whether the child was born in the UK
• Check whether the Skilled Worker is the child's only living responsible parent, where relevant
• Check the other parent's sponsored status where relevant
• Check whether the child is applying from inside or outside the UK

Medium-Skilled Skilled Worker Jobs

Dependant restrictions also apply to certain jobs classified as medium skilled under the current Skilled Worker rules. The current guidance includes specific exceptions for UK-born children and some other family circumstances.

TB Certificate – When Applying from Outside the UK

A TB certificate may be required for a child applying for entry clearance for more than 6 months if the applicable TB rules are met based on where the child has lived. Children who need TB screening must attend an approved clinic; children under 11 will not normally have a chest X-ray, but they still need to attend the clinic and be assessed.

How Long Will the Child's Visa Last?

If the application succeeds, the child's permission will usually end on the same date as the Skilled Worker parent's permission. If the child's parents have visas with different expiry dates, GOV.UK states that the child's visa will end on the earlier date.

Children Aged 16 or Over

Older dependant children can require additional evidence about their living arrangements and continuing dependency. The child generally needs to live with the parent unless living away from home for full-time education, and must not be married or in a civil partnership.

• Evidence of current home address where relevant
• NHS registration document
• Bank statement or other appropriate address evidence
• School, college or university letter where relevant
• Evidence explaining living away from the family home for full-time education
• Evidence addressing the child's continuing dependant circumstances where required

Before International Travel

• Confirm the child's dependant application has been granted
• Check the child's passport is valid
• Check the child's eVisa/UK immigration status
• Check the child's passport or travel document is correctly connected to the UKVI account where required
• Check all personal details are correct before travel
• Carry appropriate supporting documents if needed for the journey

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming a UK-born child is automatically British
• Travelling abroad before arranging the child's required immigration permission
• Assuming a UK birth certificate alone gives permission to re-enter the UK
• Using the wrong inside-UK or outside-UK application route
• Forgetting to provide the full birth certificate showing both parents
• Failing to link the child's application correctly to the main Skilled Worker where required
• Missing maintenance evidence where the financial requirement applies
• Overlooking TB requirements for an overseas application
• Ignoring care-worker or medium-skilled dependant restrictions
• Travelling while an in-country application is pending
• Assuming both parents' different visa expiry dates do not affect the child's grant