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Highly skilled workers

A highly skilled migrant reviewing their application

Dependants' maintenance

This page explains the requirements for maintenance (funds) you must meet if you have dependants who wish to apply for permission to stay here as the dependant of someone in the highly skilled worker category (Tier 1 General) of the points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.

What maintenance dependants must have

To qualify for leave to remain (permission to stay) as a dependant of a highly skilled worker, your dependant must show that he/she has enough personal funds to support himself/herself for the entire period of stay here.

You and your dependants should have already assessed the potential living costs, based on past living expenses, to ensure that you have enough funds to support yourselves.
You will not be successful in your application if you or your dependants are unable to meet the maintenance requirements.

If the main applicant under the highly skilled worker category is outside the United Kingdom or has been in the United Kingdom for less than 12 months, the family member must show that the main applicant or the dependant has at least £1,600 to support the dependant as well as the funds needed to support the main applicant.

If the main applicant has been present in the United Kingdom for 12 months or more, the main applicant or the family member of the highly skilled worker must have £533 to support himself/herself.

How we assess maintenance evidence for online bank accounts

Accounts held with internet based banks

For the purpose of the points-based system an online bank account is one that operates over the internet only and sends your bank statements to you electronically (for example over the internet or through email).

If your wish to use electronic bank statements from an online bank account as evidence, these statements must always be accompanied by:

  • a supporting letter from that bank, on their company headed paper, confirming the authenticity of the statements

Accounts held with other banks

If you have a bank account that does not operate exclusively online but you receive your bank statements electronically and you wish to use these statements as evidence of funds for maintenance, you should provide:

  • electronic bank statements printed at the bank on their official stationary; or
  • electronic statements printed by the applicant and bearing the official stamp of the bank in question. This stamp should appear on every page of the statements; or
  • a supporting letter from the bank, on the banks company headed paper, confirming the authenticity of the statements.

All evidence must meet the requirements listed in the policy guidance which you can download from the right side of this page. Mini-statements from cash points are not acceptable as evidence.

Application forms

Dependants of points-based system migrants - for applications made inside the United Kingdom

See also