Okuzeka
Immigration & Visas vocabulary · Family & Sponsorship

Dependant

Meaning in immigration & visas, with examples

/dɪˈpendənt/nounCommon term

In immigration & visas, dependant means: A family member, usually a husband, wife, partner or child, who joins or stays with the main applicant and relies on them for support.

In Turkish: bağımlı aile üyesi, refakatçi aile bireyi, bakmakla yükümlü olunan kişi

How it is used

Visa systems talk about the main applicant and their dependants. A dependant visa is usually linked to the main applicant's visa, so it often ends when that visa ends. Whether dependants can work or study depends on the route.

Example sentences

  1. Can I bring my wife and children as dependants on a work visa?

  2. Each dependant needs a separate application and fee.

Common collocations

  • bring dependants
  • dependant visa
  • main applicant
  • dependant partner
  • dependent children
  • sponsorA person or organisation that supports your application, for example by paying your costs, offering you a job or being the family member you are joining.
  • spouse visaA visa that allows the husband, wife or partner of a citizen or resident to join and live with them in that country.
  • family reunificationThe right or process that allows close family members of a resident, citizen or refugee to join them in the country where they live.
  • work visaA visa that allows a foreign citizen to enter a country in order to take up employment there.

Practise with graded reading

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.