In May 2026, a Chinese in the UK asked in the 永居计算器 community: "My husband's Skilled Worker has just received ILR, and my Dependent Visa has 2 years left before it reaches 5 years. What will happen to our children? Can I apply with him?" Behind this question is the permanent residence dilemma faced by thousands of dependent visa (Dependent Visa) holders - your permanent residence qualification for is calculated completely independently from the main applicant's .
Today’s article thoroughly explains the permanent residence rights of dependent visa holders: who can apply, how the time is calculated, what should you do if the main applicant has received ILR, the permanent residence rules for children, and the application fee bill that makes the whole family heartbroken.
📋 The core truth about visa-dependent permanent residence: Your 5 years start from your own visa
Each dependent visa holder must independently meet the eligibility requirements for permanent residence (ILR). The principal applicant’s permanent residence approval will not automatically grant permanent residence status to the dependent. This is the first and most easily overlooked iron rule.
The dependent must complete the same 5-year period of legal residence as the main applicant, but the dependent’s 5-year calculation starts from the effective date of their own dependent visa, not the start date of the main applicant’s visa.
real scenario: your husband obtained the Skilled Worker visa to enter the UK on July 1, 2021, but you only applied for entry to Dependent Visa in March 2022 due to various reasons. In May 2026, he can apply for ILR after 5 years - but your 5 years will not be completed until March 2027. You cannot apply for permanent residence in and at the same time.
This rule has the greatest impact on the following groups of people:
· Spouse/partner
who entered the UK later than the main applicant
· Spouse
who switched from other visa types (such as student visa) to Dependent Visa midway
· Children who were born in the UK or who later joined the family
⏱️ Five mandatory requirements for permanent residence on a dependent visa (current rules in 2026)
1. Continuous legal residence for 5 years
The dependent must hold a valid dependent visa and have resided continuously for 5 years. You can submit the ILR application within 28 days before the end of 5 years, but not earlier, otherwise the visa will be rejected.
The dependent must maintain valid visa status throughout the 5-year period. Any visa gap - even a short gap caused by a visa extension being submitted a few days late - may fatally lead to the rejection of ILR.
2. Number of days to leave the country: 180 days/12-month rolling cycle
If you are a dependent visa holder of the main applicant for a work visa (such as Skilled Worker), you may not be absent from the country for more than 180 days in any 12-month rolling period. This rule applies to dependent visa spouses from January 11, 2018.
Since Home Office updated its guidance in April 2024, the 180-day calculation has become more stringent. Every day of departure (including the day of travel) must be recorded. If a spouse exceeds this limit, the permanent residence clock will be reset to zero, potentially delaying the entire family's permanent residence by several years.
Use 永居计算器APP to accurately track the exit records of you and each family member to avoid losing your permanent residence qualifications just because of a few days difference.
3. Life in the UK Test (required for those aged 18-65)
Anyone between the ages of 18 and 65 must pass the Life in the UK test before applying for ILR. This test has no validity period and can be taken at any time before applying for ILR. The test fee in 2026 is £50 per test (some sources show that the test fee in 2026 has increased from £50 to £75, please refer to the latest announcement from GOV.UK).
The passing score is 75% (18 correct answers out of 24 questions). The content is based on the official manual "Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents" (3rd edition), covering British values and principles, historical events and figures, government structure and legal system, modern British society and traditions.
4. English proficiency: B1 level (18-64 years old)
Dependents aged 18 or over must demonstrate English proficiency at CEFR B1 or above. Requirements can be met by passing an accredited Secure English Language Test (SELT), holding a degree taught in English, or being a citizen of an English-speaking country. Children under 18 years old are exempt from the test.
⚠️ 2026 policy trend warning: ’s English requirements for new Skilled Worker applicants have been raised to B2 from January 2026; the new Earned Settlement model may also raise the English requirements for ILR to B2 from April 2026. Although the current visa-dependent permanent residence is still B1, it is recommended to prepare a higher-level English certificate as soon as possible.
5. The relationship with the main applicant still exists
The main applicant must apply for ILR at the same time as you, or already hold ILR or have obtained British citizenship; you must already hold a points-based dependent visa in the UK; your relationship with the main applicant still exists and you intend to continue living together.
If you separate, divorce, or your relationship breaks down during these 5 years, your permanent residence application relying on the visa route will become invalid and you may need to switch to another visa category (such as the 10-year Long Residence route).
🔄 The main applicant has received ILR, but the dependent has not completed 5 years yet - what should I do?
This is the most common scenario of family permanent residence dislocation. The answer is: The dependent person of can continue to hold and extend the dependent visa until he meets his 5-year permanent residence condition of .
After the main applicant obtains ILR, the dependent visa holder can continue to extend the dependent visa to reach the point in time when he can apply for ILR. However, under the standard 5-year path, after the main applicant obtains ILR, the dependent visa holder seeking to extend the dependent visa can only apply for and obtain a 3-year extension.
实操建议：如果你只需要再等1年或1.5年就满5年永居条件，也必须支付3年期依赖签证延签费用（无法按需申请更短期限）。 This money cannot be saved, so do financial planning in advance.
If the dependent does not hold a dependent visa before the main applicant obtains ILR, he must apply as a "spouse/partner of a settled person". In this way, they need to live under this visa route for another 5 years before they can apply for ILR - which is equivalent to starting from scratch.
Even if the main applicant obtains permanent residence, family members can continue to extend their visas as Skilled Workers or Health and Care Workers or T2 dependents.
👶 Permanent residence rules for children: Both parents must have settled
The permanent residence application rules for children are completely different from those for adult spouses. The core principle is: both parents of must have obtained ILR (or one parent has passed away/has sole custody) before the children are eligible to apply for permanent residence .
Since both parents must have settled in order for children to be eligible, if the spouse cannot apply for ILR at the same time, any children must also wait and apply with the spouse. The specific eligibility criteria for children to apply for ILR are: holding a dependent visa (no specific requirements for length of stay in the UK); applying for ILR at the same time as both parents (or parents have obtained settled status or British nationality).
Children over the age of 18 can still apply if they meet the following conditions: they were under 18 when they were first granted a dependent visa; and they are not living an independent life - for example, they are not married or have children.
Once at least one parent has been granted ILR, you can apply to register the children as British citizens, they do not need ILR - this provides a direct route to citizenship for children born in the UK.
💰 The true cost of visa-dependent permanent residence: How much does it cost a family of four?
The application fee for ILR in 2026 is £3,226 per person (some sources show that the application fee for ILR is £3,226 per person, and the total application fee for a family of four is more than £12,900). ILR fee is charged per person and there is no family discount. For families, the financial burden is significant and requires careful planning.
List of fees for the permanent residence application stage for a typical family of four (2 adults + 2 children):
· ILR application fee: £3,226 × 4 = £12,904
· Life in the UK Test (2 adults): £50-75 × 2 = £100-150
· English B1 test (2 adults, if required): approximately £150-170 × 2 = £300-340
· Accelerated service (optional): Priority £500/person or Super Priority £1,000/person
total: starting from at least £13,304 (excluding expedited services and legal fees)
These figures do not include the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) paid at visa and extension stages, which can add up to thousands of pounds. Over 5 years, the cost of IHS for a family of four would be approximately £19,016.
⚠️Dependents of Health and Care Worker visa holders are exempted from IHS – this is a huge saving. The exemption also applies to dependents on a Senior or Specialist Worker visa working in NHS or in an eligible health and social care occupation.
⚡ The impact of the 2026 new permanent residence policy on dependent visas: the 10-year starting point system is coming
The Earned Settlement system proposed by the UK represents the biggest change in decades. The consultation will close in February 2026, after which the final rules will be clearer – but the direction is clear: settlement will become harder, longer and more contribution-focused.
Under the new UK ILR regulations, the standard ILR waiting period for dependents has been increased from 5 years to 10 years. However, this 10-year waiting period can be shortened if the dependent meets certain "contribution" criteria, such as a high personal income or working in the public sector (NHS/Teaching).
Adult dependents must meet their own eligibility periods and criteria. During this process children over the age of 18 may transition to their own ILR path. A grace window may still allow children over 18 to settle with their parents.
time window reminder: If you are still 1-2 years away from the 5-year permanent residence, it is strongly recommended to complete the application before the new policy is officially implemented. Once the 10-year starting point system takes effect, you may need to accumulate "contribution points" from scratch.
✅ 5 practical suggestions for visa-dependent permanent residence applications
1. Use 永居计算器APP to track
from day one
Do not wait until the 4th year to start counting days spent abroad. Each entry and exit is recorded in real time, and the APP will automatically calculate the total number of days of departure in a rolling 12-month period to provide early warning of the risk of exceeding the standard.
2. There must be no gaps in visa extension
Any visa gap period - even if the visa extension application is delayed by a few days - may fatally lead to the rejection of ILR. If you are a dependent, be sure to apply for an extension as soon as possible before your current visa expires. Start preparing materials 3 months in advance.
3. Prepare for Life in UK Test and English test 1 year in advance
Don't rush to take exams in the last few months of your 5th year. If you fail the first time, there is still time to retake the exam. The English B1 certificate is usually valid for 2 years, so plan ahead.
4. Calculate family members separately, do not have a "bundling mentality"
The main applicant can apply for ILR first and does not have to wait for the whole family to complete 5 years. However, children must wait until both parents have received ILR before they can apply. This is a hard and fast rule.
5. Financial planning requires the calculation of the whole family’s general ledger
The ILR application fee is charged per head, and can easily exceed 10,000 pounds for a family of four. You can consider applying in batches (parents apply first, children later), but you have to weigh the cost of continuing to extend the visa for your children.
💬Write it at the end
The biggest trap in relying on visa holders for permanent residence is not the complicated rules, but the misconception that one can automatically obtain permanent residence together with the main applicant. Your 5 years are calculated independently from the first day of your own visa; your days abroad are calculated separately; your Life in UK Test and English B1 must be passed by yourself; your £3,226 application fee will not be less.
But the good news is that as long as you plan ahead, track accurately, and prepare step by step, the path to permanent residence that relies on a visa is clear and feasible. Use 永居计算器APP to calculate every day clearly, record every entry and exit, and save every expense in advance - the moment you press "Submit Application", you will be glad that you are fully prepared.
Your countdown to permanent residence starts from today.
💬 Interactive topic: If you are a dependent visa holder, how long is the difference between your permanent residence timeline and that of the main applicant? Feel free to share your family permanent residence planning strategies in the comment area.
Disclaimer: This article is for reference only and does not constitute legal advice. British immigration regulations continue to change. For specific questions, please consult a licensed immigration lawyer (WeChat: uklvshi). The policies in this article are subject to the latest official announcement of GOV.UK.
data source:
1. GOV.UK - Indefinite leave to remain if you have family in the UK
https://www.gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain-family
2. GOV.UK - Indefinite leave to remain (Skilled Worker dependants)
https://www.gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain-tier-2-t2-skilled-worker-visa/family-members
3. Home Office - Settlement family and private life guidance (July 2025)
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66feaa36c71e42688b65f0f5/Settlement+family+and+private+life.pdf
📚 Data source
·https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-for-dependants
· https://www.gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain-family/partner-dependant-work-visa
·https://staffimmigration.admin.ox.ac.uk/ilr-for-pbs-dependants