Bringing your family to the UK
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Bringing your family to the UK

You will have many questions when you are preparing to bring your family to a new country or city.  In this section we hope to answer some of those questions and provide useful information for you and your family members.

However each family's circumstances are unique and we would recommend that you contact us directly for specialised advice. 

We suggest that you or your partner travel alone to Plymouth prior to the start of your course, to set up arrangements for accommodation, childcare and schooling, especially if you have young children. 

Family accommodation

The Student Accommodation Team can help you look for accommodation. 
Whilst it is tempting to try and arrange a permanent home before you travel to the UK we would always recommend that you visit Plymouth to see suitable properties before you make your decision on where to live. 
It is also advisable to secure your accommodation before applying for a school place for your children so that the council can try to offer you a school local to you. 

 

 

Dependants and work
 

If the dependant's visa does not say that they must not work or enter employment, then they are free to work without restrictions. Usually Tier 4 dependants will be allowed to work if they are given permission to stay in the UK to accompany a student on a degree course for 12 months or more and are 16 years old or over. 

 

Immigration for families outside the UK

Non EEA family members will be required to apply for PBS Dependant entry clearance before travelling to the UK at the same time as the Tier 4 student.    
Complete the application forms
Complete a PBS Dependant VAF10 application form, either online or paper version.  
 Submit your applications
You should apply in the country of which you are a national or where you legally live. 

 Immigration for families already in the UK

 It is better and less expensive for dependants to apply at the same time as the student.
 Complete the application forms
Complete a PBS Dependant application form.
 

How much money will your dependants need to show

If this is your first application each dependant will be required to show £4050.
If you have already been studying in the UK and have "established presence" then each dependant will be required to show £900.  

​Child care

Child care (ages 0 to 5)
Nursery care and childcare are appropriate for children aged from 0 to 4/5, prior to starting school, and are mainly privately provided with a variety of quality and costs. 

It is important to remember that childcare for the under 5s in the UK is relatively expensive and you would usually pay £30 to £35 per day.  Children get free childcare sessions from the term after their third birthday until they start school (term time only). 

Plymouth University has Freshlings Nursery on campus which offers childcare to staff and students at the university.  The waiting list for Freshlings means you should make your application to them well in advance.

Alternatively there are also many other nurseries, child-minders and pre-schools in Plymouth to choose from.

In the UK all childcare providers are regulated and must follow government guidelines and curricula.

  Parents Guide to Plymouth                 

For general information and ideas on family life in Plymouth     

Education

State Primary Schools (Age 4 – 11)
Children enter infant classes in primary schools in the September before they are five.

 State Secondary Schools (Age 11-18)
Pupils will normally transfer from primary to secondary education at the beginning of the school year following their eleventh birthday. 

Plymouth City Council online school application

 Sixth Form Colleges and Further Education Colleges (Age 16 to 19)           Students can enrol on a variety of different courses at a local college although there may be fees to pay.  Larger colleges will also offer ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes which are usually funded for dependants.

 City College Plymouth

 

 Adult Education                                    Dependants of students are entitled to study full or part time in the UK.  Course fees will apply but some ESOL classes can be accessed free of charge.    ​

​Documents required for a successful PBS Dependant application 

Supporting documents required can vary between countries. Your dependants may need some or all of the following; 
  •  A personal letter from the Tier 4 student visa holder
  • A valid passport or travel document and previous passports for each dependant
  • Recent colour passport sized photographs for each dependant 
  • Marriage certificate (for partner)
  • Birth certificates (for children)       
  • 28 days of bank statements for the student and dependants that maintain the required amount of funds OR student’s proof of official financial sponsorship that covers dependants
  • A photocopy of the Tier 4 visa holder's passport page and Tier 4 visa page/Biometric Residence Permit (if already granted)
  • A confirmation of enrolment letter for the Tier 4 student visa holder (if already granted) available from the International Student Gateway
  • Evidence that the family intend to return home at the end of their stay