Dependant switch

[aliriaz1129]

My current situation is that my wife has been accepted into a Master’s by Research program, which allows for student dependants. I’m currently on a Graduate Route visa that expires in October 2025. Once she arrives in the UK on her Student visa, can I switch my visa status to a dependant from within the UK, considering she will already be here as the main applicant? Or do I need to return to my home country to apply as her dependant? I believe applying from within the UK might offer a better chance of acceptance, could you please advise?

[sah10406]

can I switch my visa status to a dependant from within the UK, considering she will already be here as the main applicant?

See https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/family-members > Apply inside the UK to extend or switch. It includes a list of who cannot switch, drawn from Appendix Student, paragraph ST 28.4A:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration ... ix-student

I believe applying from within the UK might offer a better chance of acceptance, could you please advise?

Not sure where you get that idea. Wherever you apply, the requirements are the same.

[aliriaz1129]

@sah10406 So, It means, I can apply inside the UK? Because I have got mixed responses from consultants. Some said you can apply inside the UK others saying you have to go back to your home country to apply even if you're on graduate route already.

[aliriaz1129]

can I switch my visa status to a dependant from within the UK, considering she will already be here as the main applicant?

See https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/family-members > Apply inside the UK to extend or switch. It includes a list of who cannot switch, drawn from Appendix Student, paragraph ST 28.4A:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration ... ix-student

I believe applying from within the UK might offer a better chance of acceptance, could you please advise?

Not sure where you get that idea. Wherever you apply, the requirements are the same.

So, It means, I can apply inside the UK? Because I have got mixed responses from consultants. Some said you can apply inside the UK others saying you have to go back to your home country to apply even if you're on graduate route already.

[sah10406]

others saying you have to go back to your home country to apply even if you're on graduate route already.

There is that short list of people who cannot apply in the UK. Everyone else can.

Wherever these consultants are getting their information from, it is not the immigration rules or the Graduate visa application portal. I suggest you ignore them or, at most, send them those links!

[aliriaz1129]

I need to apply as a dependant, since my wife has just arrived in the UK on a student visa in research course which allows dependent. I would like to apply from within the UK, as I am currently on a Graduate Route visa. Could you please advise me, can i apply from here or switch my visa to dependent of my wife from graduate route



Chatgpt and some consultants gives me this information mentioned below but some solicitors says its possible from here, i dont understand what to do.

“Since your wife has recently come to the UK on a Student visa and you are already in the UK on a Graduate Route visa, here’s how it works:
A Student Dependant visa can only be applied for if the main applicant (your wife) is on a Student visa and you are applying as her dependant.
You cannot switch from the Graduate Route visa to a Student Dependant visa from inside the UK. The Home Office rules say that dependants of Student visa holders who are already in the UK on certain visa categories (including Graduate Route) must apply from outside the UK.
The correct form:
Inside the UK: If switching was allowed, the form would be "PBS Dependant" online form.
But in your case: You’ll need to apply from outside the UK using the "Student Dependant visa application" form (on the gov.uk website).

[aliriaz1129]

I need to apply as a dependant, since my wife has just arrived in the UK on a student visa in research course which allows dependent. I would like to apply from within the UK, as I am currently on a Graduate Route visa. Could you please advise me, can i apply from here or switch my visa to dependent of my wife from graduate route



Chatgpt and some consultants gives me this information mentioned below but some solicitors says its possible from here, i dont understand what to do.

“Since your wife has recently come to the UK on a Student visa and you are already in the UK on a Graduate Route visa, here’s how it works:
A Student Dependant visa can only be applied for if the main applicant (your wife) is on a Student visa and you are applying as her dependant.
You cannot switch from the Graduate Route visa to a Student Dependant visa from inside the UK. The Home Office rules say that dependants of Student visa holders who are already in the UK on certain visa categories (including Graduate Route) must apply from outside the UK.
The correct form:
Inside the UK: If switching was allowed, the form would be "PBS Dependant" online form.
But in your case: You’ll need to apply from outside the UK using the "Student Dependant visa application" form (on the gov.uk website.

[CR001]

others saying you have to go back to your home country to apply even if you're on graduate route already.

There is that short list of people who cannot apply in the UK. Everyone else can.

Wherever these consultants are getting their information from, it is not the immigration rules or the Graduate visa application portal. I suggest you ignore them or, at most, send them those links!