Can I bring my spouse or children to the UK on a dependant visa for a taught master's in 2026?
No, Indian students on taught postgraduate courses, such as most one-year MSc, MA or MBA programmes, can no longer bring family members to the UK on a dependant visa. The exceptions cover PhD or doctoral study, research master's courses running nine months or longer, and some government-sponsored students.
Under the new UK immigration rule, you cannot bring family members if you are on a taught postgraduate course. This change affects most Indian students heading for a one-year master's, so you should plan to travel alone.
Who Can Still Bring Dependants
| Course type | Can you bring dependants? |
|---|---|
| Taught master's (one-year MSc, MA, MBA) | No |
| PhD or other doctoral qualification | Yes |
| Research master's of nine months or longer, if classed as research-based | Yes |
| Government-sponsored student on a course longer than 6 months | Yes, in some cases |
What This Means for You
- If you choose a standard taught master's, your family cannot join you on a dependant visa linked to your Student visa.
- Research-based programmes and doctoral study are the routes that still allow dependants.
- Course length and type matter, so confirm how your programme is classified.
My Advice
Decide early whether living apart for a year is workable for your family. If bringing them is essential, look at research-based courses, and always verify the rule on the official UK government page.
Can your spouse come with you to the UK?
Which UK courses still allow dependents, and what you will need to show.
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