UK Skilled Worker Dependants Cost

UK Skilled Worker Dependants Cost and Rights Calculator 2024
DeyWithMe Dependants guide ↓

UK Skilled Worker Dependants Cost and Rights Calculator

Calculate the visa fee, IHS, and total cost per dependant. See exactly what your spouse and children can and cannot do in the UK.

Based on 2024 UK Home Office rules. Health and Care Worker dependant restriction applies from April 2024. Not immigration advice. Verify at gov.uk.

Health and Care Workers face a dependant restriction from April 2024. Select your route to see the correct rules.

Affects the total IHS payable per dependant. Most initial Skilled Worker visas are 3 years.

1

Spouse or partner

0

Under 18

Dependant Mistakes Nigerian Families Often Make

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Forgetting that the IHS is multiplied by every family member

A family of four on a 3-year Skilled Worker visa pays £1,035 x 3 x 4 = £12,420 in IHS alone. Many Nigerian families budget only the main applicant’s IHS and are then caught off guard when the portal shows the full family total. The IHS is paid all at once, before the visa fee.

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Not telling the spouse they have full unrestricted work rights

Many Nigerian Skilled Worker spouses arrive thinking they need a separate work visa or that they can only work part-time. A spouse on a Skilled Worker dependant visa has no work restriction at all. They can start any job on day one, for any employer, in any role. This is a significant income planning opportunity that families often miss for months after arriving.

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Assuming a Health and Care Worker can still bring dependants after April 2024

Many Nigerian nurses and care workers applied before April 2024 not realising the rule changed. New overseas applicants on the Health and Care Worker route from 9 April 2024 onwards cannot bring dependants. This is one of the biggest policy changes affecting the Nigerian diaspora and it continues to catch applicants off guard.

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Thinking NRPF means the family cannot use the NHS

No Recourse to Public Funds blocks welfare benefits, not NHS access. Every dependant who has paid the IHS has full NHS access, the same as a UK citizen. NRPF applies to means-tested welfare payments (Universal Credit, Housing Benefit), not to NHS healthcare.

How the Dependants Cost and Rights Calculator Works

The calculator takes three inputs (visa route, visa duration, number of dependants) and returns two things: the exact cost per dependant and the rights attached to each dependant type. The cost formula is the same for every dependant regardless of age:

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Per-person cost = Visa Fee + (IHS Rate × Visa Years) + Biometric Visa Fee = £827 (up to 3yr) or £1,636 (over 3yr) IHS Rate = £1,035 per person per year IHS Total = £1,035 × visa duration in years Biometric = £19.20 Total dependants = Per-person cost × number of dependants
Health and Care Worker route restriction (April 2024): New overseas applicants on the Health and Care Worker visa cannot bring dependants. This applies from 9 April 2024. If you are on this route, the rights panel shows this restriction prominently. Check whether the Skilled Worker route might be more appropriate for your situation if bringing family is a priority.

Dependant Cost Table: Common Nigerian Skilled Worker Family Sizes

Family setupVisa fee totalIHS total (3yr)BiometricDependant total
1 adult dependant only£827£3,105£19~£3,951
1 adult + 1 child£1,654£6,210£38~£7,902
1 adult + 2 children£2,481£9,315£57~£11,853
1 adult + 3 children£3,308£12,420£76~£15,804

Based on 3-year Skilled Worker visa. Naira at ₦2,100/£1 (illustrative). IHS must be paid upfront for the full visa duration before the visa fee.

A dependant spouse has full UK work rights from day one. This is one of the most practically impactful rights on the Skilled Worker visa. A Nigerian spouse arriving on a dependant visa can start any UK job immediately, for any employer, without restriction. Combined with the main applicant’s salary, a working couple can significantly reduce the financial pressure of the IHS and initial setup costs within the first 6 to 12 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my spouse work in the UK on a dependant visa?
Yes. A spouse or partner on a Skilled Worker dependant visa has full, unrestricted work rights in the UK. They can work for any employer, in any role, for any number of hours, including self-employment and freelancing. No separate work visa or employer sponsorship is needed. This work right starts from the day their visa is issued and they enter the UK.
Do dependant children pay the same fees as adults?
Yes. There is no reduced visa fee or IHS for child dependants. A child under 18 pays the same £827 visa fee (for a 3-year visa) and £1,035 per year IHS as the main applicant or an adult dependant. A family with three children will pay three sets of full fees. This catches many families off guard when planning the total budget.
What is NRPF and does it affect my children?
NRPF stands for No Recourse to Public Funds. It means dependants cannot claim most UK welfare benefits, including Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, and Child Tax Credit. It applies to all dependants on a Skilled Worker visa, including children. NRPF does not prevent access to NHS healthcare (which is covered by the IHS paid), state school education, or emergency services. Some very limited exceptions exist for families in destitution or domestic violence situations, which require a separate application.
Can Health and Care Workers bring family to the UK?
From 9 April 2024, most new overseas applicants on the Health and Care Worker visa route cannot bring adult or child dependants. This affects the majority of Nigerian nurses and care workers applying from Nigeria. Those already in the UK before this date with existing dependants are generally not affected. If bringing family is essential, switching to the standard Skilled Worker route (which requires meeting the higher salary threshold) may be considered, as that route still allows dependants.
Does dependant time count toward ILR?
Yes. Time spent in the UK as a dependant on a Skilled Worker visa counts toward the 5-year qualifying period for ILR. A dependant who has been in the UK continuously for 5 qualifying years can apply for ILR alongside or separately from the main applicant. Absences from the UK during this period must not exceed 180 days in any 12-month period for most routes.
Disclaimer: All cost figures are based on 2024 UK Home Office published rates. The Health and Care Worker dependant restriction reflects the rule change of 9 April 2024. Rights information is a general summary and may not cover all individual circumstances. Requirements change with government policy. This tool is for planning purposes only. Verify all rules and fees at gov.uk before applying. This is not immigration advice. DeyWithMe is not affiliated with the UK Home Office or UKVI.
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