VisaFalkland Islands family permits carry different rights to work
Families joining a worker need a different permit from those joining a permanent resident. Customs and Immigration distinguishes their employment rights and application requirements.
Official source date: 2026-11-02
Edited and checked by the VisaWand editorial team
Identify the status of the family sponsor
The Falkland Islands Customs and Immigration Service distinguishes between two family permits in its current guidance. A person accompanying a work-permit holder requires an Accompanying Dependent Permit. The employer sponsoring the principal worker must also sponsor that dependent application. Successful adult applicants can work without a separate work permit only in occupations on the Workforce Shortage List; other employment requires separate permission from Customs and Immigration.
This is a current explanation of the published rules, rather than an announcement of a new entitlement on 2 November 2026. Before accepting employment, a worker’s partner should use the Accompanying Dependent Permit page to identify the linked official shortage list and ask the service about the proposed role. A family relationship alone does not establish unrestricted access to employment.
Permanent residents’ dependants use a different route
The service’s separate Dependent Permit page covers family members of people holding a Permanent Residence Permit or Falkland Islands Status. It explains that holders of this dependent permission can take employment in any role without obtaining a separate work permit. Families must therefore identify the sponsor’s actual immigration status before selecting a form or discussing employment with a prospective employer.
The practical distinction is between the status of the sponsor and the resulting permit category, rather than the applicant’s nationality alone. Use the Dependent Permit page to check this route and obtain Form 9. Do not assume that the employment restriction applying to an accompanying worker’s family also applies to every person described informally as a dependent.
Prepare the accompanying-worker application
Form 8 asks for the principal worker’s employer, job title and employment dates, together with the applicant’s passport details, intended arrival, financial support and accommodation arrangements. Its guidance says that the accompanying permit follows the attending work permit’s validity, subject to a four-year maximum. A changed job role requires a new work-permit application and a new accompanying dependent application.
The form requires medical and dental assessment within the preceding three months before permission can be issued. Children aged three to sixteen need an educational assessment. Applicants aged sixteen or over need a recent police certificate from their country of residence; for permits of at least two years, additional certificates cover countries lived in for twelve months or more during the preceding five years, unless previously supplied. Use Form 8’s checklist before submission, rather than treating the principal worker’s documents as a complete family file.
Check submission, fees and processing expectations
Form 9 requires details of the sponsor’s permanent residence or Falkland Islands Status, financial support and accommodation. Its declarations require disclosure of criminal convictions, including spent convictions, cautions and fixed penalties. Applicants should answer the actual questions rather than assume that an overseas rehabilitation rule removes the disclosure obligation.
The form directs applications to [email protected] and says original documents must be available for inspection. An application fee is payable for each applicant, but the form does not give an amount: ask the service for the current charge and payment instructions. Its eight-working-day target concerns complete applications; incomplete or complex cases can take longer. This is not a guaranteed decision deadline. Before arranging travel, request confirmation that the family application, assessments and any outstanding evidence are complete.
Separate a family visit from residence and employment
The Visitor Permit page provides a different option for a temporary family visit. It recommends applying in advance for longer stays and describes a maximum of twelve months within twenty-four months for qualifying family visitors. Visitor permission does not allow ordinary employment.
The visitor resource also identifies nationalities requiring a visa, including Pakistan, India and South Africa, and lists onward travel, accommodation, sufficient funds and medical evacuation insurance of at least USD 2 million among entry requirements. Consult that page if the intention is a visit, rather than joining a resident under one of the dependent routes. Confirm the correct permission before making a work commitment or travelling.
