Oscar De La Huerte answered
Switching a student visa to a dependant visa is possible, but is likely to be a difficult process. If your student visa is close to running out, you may be required to leave the country and then reapply for a dependant visa from outside the UK.
Switching from a student to a dependant visa in the UK
The first thing that affect your visa application process is the person you are dependant on. Is he or she a British national? Are they in the UK on a visa themselves? What type of visa is it?- these are all relevant questions.
Secondly, you need to be aware that the visa application process can take months. This means that, if you don't have long left on your student visa, there is a chance you will be required to leave the UK before you are able to apply for a dependant visa.
Applying for UK dependant visa in special circumstances
In special circumstances, you will be able to remain in the country to apply for your dependant visa. These circumstances will most likely be examined by the UK border agency, but it is important for you to be aware that you do have this option in extreme cases (for example a heavily-pregnant wife or girlfriend would not be required to leave the country to apply for her visa).
My advice regarding special circumstances is to read up on the matter - as the staff processing your visa application may not have dealt with many of these cases and may be less than familiar with the guidelines themselves.
Helpful websites for visa applications in the UK
Obviously, the UK border agency website will be a useful source of information regarding visa applications. The site has a dedicated section for partners and family members that want to apply for a dependant visa, so I'd recommend you check it out.
Alternatively, there are companies like VisaLogic that may be able to provide assistance with your visa application process at a fee. Although they can be very useful in navigating a rather complex system, it is important to point out these companies are probably not privy to any information that isn't already in the public domain.
Switching from a student to a dependant visa in the UK
The first thing that affect your visa application process is the person you are dependant on. Is he or she a British national? Are they in the UK on a visa themselves? What type of visa is it?- these are all relevant questions.
Secondly, you need to be aware that the visa application process can take months. This means that, if you don't have long left on your student visa, there is a chance you will be required to leave the UK before you are able to apply for a dependant visa.
Applying for UK dependant visa in special circumstances
In special circumstances, you will be able to remain in the country to apply for your dependant visa. These circumstances will most likely be examined by the UK border agency, but it is important for you to be aware that you do have this option in extreme cases (for example a heavily-pregnant wife or girlfriend would not be required to leave the country to apply for her visa).
My advice regarding special circumstances is to read up on the matter - as the staff processing your visa application may not have dealt with many of these cases and may be less than familiar with the guidelines themselves.
Helpful websites for visa applications in the UK
Obviously, the UK border agency website will be a useful source of information regarding visa applications. The site has a dedicated section for partners and family members that want to apply for a dependant visa, so I'd recommend you check it out.
Alternatively, there are companies like VisaLogic that may be able to provide assistance with your visa application process at a fee. Although they can be very useful in navigating a rather complex system, it is important to point out these companies are probably not privy to any information that isn't already in the public domain.