Study in UK planning • Nepal applicant guide

Can Nepali Students Take Dependants to the UK?

Most Nepali students on taught bachelor’s or taught master’s courses cannot bring new Student dependants under the current rules. Eligibility is mainly limited to government-sponsored students on qualifying courses and full-time postgraduate students on a PhD, doctorate or research-based higher degree meeting the duration rules.

Fact-checked: 24 July 2026
Course-specific guidance
Official-source workflow

Important: Dependant eligibility and evidence are legal questions decided under the Immigration Rules. University marketing, an offer or use of the word “postgraduate” does not prove that a taught course qualifies.
Eligibility

Apply the current dependant rule first

GOV.UK says the Student must be government sponsored on a course lasting longer than six months, or a full-time postgraduate student on a course lasting at least nine months. For postgraduate courses starting on or after 1 January 2024, the course must be a PhD or other doctorate, or a research-based higher degree.

Main student route New dependants usually eligible? Evidence
Bachelor’s degree No under the standard Student dependant rule. Check any exceptional government-sponsored basis.
Taught master’s Usually no for courses starting from 1 January 2024. Do not confuse postgraduate level with research-based.
PhD or doctorate Potentially yes when other conditions are met. CAS, course duration and sponsor confirmation.
Research-based higher degree Potentially yes when properly classified. University letter or CAS evidence of research basis.
Government sponsor

Understand the sponsored-student alternative

A government-sponsored student starting a course longer than six months may qualify under the separate eligibility limb. “Government sponsored” has a specific immigration meaning and should be supported by formal sponsorship evidence; family support or a partial university scholarship is not automatically government sponsorship.

Funding situation Treatment Check
Government or qualifying international sponsorship May support eligibility if route conditions are met. Official sponsorship letter and coverage.
University scholarship Reduces fees but does not automatically satisfy this category. Source and immigration definition.
Employer support May or may not be official financial sponsorship. Exact sponsor type and letter.
Family funds Personal funding only. Does not create dependant eligibility.
Who qualifies

Identify permitted partner and child relationships

GOV.UK defines a dependant partner as a husband, wife, civil partner or qualifying unmarried partner, and a dependant child is generally under 18 at the relevant stage, including a child born in the UK during the stay. Evidence must show the genuine relationship, and child applications can involve additional family and care rules.

Person Core evidence Risk
Spouse or civil partner Marriage or civil-partnership certificate plus supporting evidence where requested. Document alone does not cure an inconsistent relationship history.
Unmarried partner Evidence meeting the current durable-relationship rule. Assuming a short informal relationship qualifies.
Child under 18 Birth certificate and parental evidence. Care arrangements or parental applications are inconsistent.
Adult child Only limited continuation scenarios may apply. Assuming first-time eligibility after age 18.
Money

Calculate additional maintenance for every dependant

Current financial guidance requires additional funds for each eligible dependant: £845 per month in London or £680 per month outside London, for up to nine months, in addition to the Student’s tuition and maintenance requirement and the funds for any other dependant. Apply the current evidence and 28-day rules where required.

Study location Per dependant monthly amount Maximum nine-month calculation
London £845 £7,605
Outside London £680 £6,120
Two dependants in London £1,690 combined monthly £15,210
Two dependants outside London £1,360 combined monthly £12,240
Application

Plan separate applications and linked evidence

Each dependant makes a separate application and pays the relevant visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge. Applications can be linked to the main Student through reference details. Every applicant follows the required identity or biometrics process and, after approval, needs access to their own eVisa through a UKVI account.

Application item Action Control
Main Student details Use the Student application or permission reference. Names and dates match across the family.
Dependant form Complete separately for each person. Applicant details belong to that dependant.
Fees and health surcharge Budget per applicant using current official calculator. Do not use an old third-party total.
Identity and eVisa Follow app or VAC instructions and create account access. Each digital status is checked.
Documents

Prepare a family evidence register

The exact checklist depends on circumstances, but applicants should expect identity, relationship, funds, TB and sponsorship or university evidence where relevant. Nepali applicants coming for more than six months normally need an approved TB certificate under the current residence conditions. Certified translations may be required.

Evidence Purpose Quality check
Passport Identity and nationality. Current and consistent across forms.
Relationship documents Proves partner or parent-child relationship. Official, complete and translated if needed.
Financial evidence Shows additional maintenance. Correct owner, amount and holding period.
Course or sponsor evidence Proves the main Student’s eligibility. Research status or government sponsorship is explicit.
Family budget

Test real affordability beyond visa funds

The immigration minimum is not a complete family budget. Add a family-sized accommodation contract, deposit, utilities, food, local travel, childcare, school-related costs, health needs, flights, visa fees, health surcharge and contingency. Do not assume the partner will immediately find work or that one income can cover all costs.

Cost area Evidence Risk
Housing Family property quote and deposit. Student-room price used for a family.
Childcare Local provider availability and full fee. Assuming free or immediate nursery access.
Travel and setup Flights, furniture, clothing and transport. No emergency reserve.
Income Plan works even with delayed employment. Depending on a promised job before arrival.
Decision

Get written confirmation before committing family funds

Ask the university immigration team to confirm the CAS course classification, but verify the rule on GOV.UK. Build a separate family application and affordability plan, and avoid deposits until eligibility is clear. MKS Education can help organise questions while UKVI alone decides the applications.

Decision gate Pass condition Stop signal
Course eligibility PhD, doctorate, research-based higher degree or qualifying sponsorship. Taught master’s described vaguely as postgraduate.
Relationship evidence Current rule and documents are satisfied. Inconsistent dates or unsupported status.
Finance Visa funds and real budget are available. Dependence on immediate partner income.
Applications Each person has correct form, fee and evidence. One family member is omitted or misclassified.
Travel All required permissions are granted. Booking before dependant decisions.
MKS Education AIO support

Turn a broad university list into an evidence-based shortlist

MKS Education helps Nepali students compare the exact course, campus, intake, entry route, tuition terms, deposit and CAS conditions—not just a university name. Our counselling team near Shankerdev Campus can review your academic timeline, documents and budget, identify questions that still need written confirmation, and help you prepare a transparent application.

Admissions and immigration decisions always remain with the university and UK authorities. We do not promise admission, a scholarship, a placement or a visa; we help you build a clear, verifiable plan.

Book an MKS Education profile review

Official sources

Verify before paying or applying

Policies can change by course and intake. Use these official sources, then confirm any unresolved point with the university in writing.

Final decision checklist

  • Verify the exact course and dependant eligibility first.
  • Treat most taught bachelor’s and master’s courses as ineligible.
  • Calculate additional funds for each dependant.
  • Prepare separate applications and relationship evidence.
  • Test the complete family budget without assumed employment.

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MKS Education support

Plan your application with MKS Education

MKS Education is a study abroad consultancy opposite Shankerdev Campus in Putalisadak, Kathmandu. We help Nepali students review profiles, shortlist universities and courses, prepare applications, organise documents, research scholarships, and plan CAS and visa-file stages using current official sources. Universities and immigration authorities make all admission and visa decisions.

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