Visa sponsor term is used simply for people who cover all the expenses for the ones who do not have an income certificate to pay their expenses during their travel abroad. Many countries, especially Schengen members, require information on visa applicants or students who are not working or paying for their travel expenses. People covering the expenses are, therefore, called a sponsor. If you’re thinking of going abroad but if you’re not an employee on payroll, pensioner or farmer, you’re going to need a sponsor.

The requirements to be a visa sponsor, are determined by the rules. Only one of your 1st grade legal parental guardians can be your sponsor. First-degree relatives; mothers, fathers, wives, and children can also be sponsors. In cases where there is not a first-degree relative, you can present your legal guardian as a sponsor with the necessary documents. For those whose father is retired from working, can show his pension as collateral. Those who say, “Only my mother is alive, and she is a housewife”, can show her second and third-degree relatives as sponsors but in some countries, this can create a problem.

Who is eligible?

There are some legal requirements that you need to satisfy to be allowed to bring someone in the UK on your student visa.

You’re eligible to invite family members to join you in the UK for a certain period of time on your Tier 4 student visa if the following conditions are met:

• You’re studying at the postgraduate level.
• Your degree course is full-time and takes at least 9 months to be completed.
• You’re attending a study program 6 months or longer, which is funded by the UK government or a foreign government.
• You’re a PhD graduate holding visa under the Doctorate Extension Scheme.

Note that if your studying for an Advanced Diploma you’re not eligible to apply to bring a family member on a Tier 4 visa.

Only a few relatives you can bring in the UK under the Tier 4 Dependant visa. The definition of a dependant is determined through existing laws in the UK.

These family members are eligible to apply for Tier 4 Dependant visa in the UK

• -Your spouse, wife, or a civil partner
• -Your relationship partner
• -Your children aged under 18 including those who were born in the UK while you’re were residing there.