Best Dependent Visa Lawyers in Aberdeen

About Dependent Visa Law in Aberdeen, United Kingdom

In Aberdeen, as across Scotland and the wider United Kingdom, dependent visas are governed by UK immigration law and administered by UK Visas and Immigration. A dependent visa allows eligible family members to join or remain with the main visa holder in the UK. Typical routes that permit dependants include Skilled Worker and other work routes, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, and limited Student scenarios. Student dependants are restricted under current rules, with most students no longer able to bring dependants unless studying a postgraduate research course or meeting a narrow exemption. Health and Care Worker rules now prevent most care workers and senior care workers from bringing dependants. Although immigration law is national, living in Aberdeen can affect practicalities such as where you attend biometric appointments, local school admissions, and access to health services in Scotland.

Dependants are usually a spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner who has lived with the main applicant for at least 2 years, and children under 18. Some children over 18 may qualify if they are already in the UK as dependants and remain part of the household. Dependant partners and children generally receive permission in line with the main visa holder. They may have rights to work and study, and must pay the immigration health surcharge to access the National Health Service in Scotland.

This guide explains when you might need a lawyer, key legal points, frequent questions, and local resources relevant to Aberdeen residents and newcomers.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may benefit from legal advice if you face any of the following situations. You are unsure whether your family qualifies as dependants under the specific route, for example proving a durable relationship for unmarried partners or including an older child who has lived away from home. You need help gathering and presenting evidence of cohabitation, relationship, or sole responsibility for a child. You or a family member has a complex immigration history, such as overstays, previous refusals, or criminal convictions that require careful disclosure and legal explanation. You are affected by recent rule changes, for example student dependant restrictions or the bar on dependants for care workers, and need to understand transitional provisions. You want to switch immigration category from within the UK or align expiry dates for family members to extend or settle together. You must meet financial maintenance requirements and need to know whether an employer can certify maintenance or what funds must be held and for how long. You want to challenge a refusal, request administrative review, or appeal. You are planning long-term residence and need advice on routes to settlement and avoiding gaps that could break continuous residence. A lawyer can check forms, verify documents, advise on translations and statutory declarations, prepare legal representations, and manage deadlines.

Local Laws Overview

Immigration law is set nationally through the UK Immigration Rules and relevant appendices for each route, such as Skilled Worker, Student, Global Talent, and their dependant provisions. For Aberdeen residents, a few local points matter. Scotland has its own public services framework. NHS Scotland is accessed via the immigration health surcharge, with GP registration free and prescriptions free for everyone in Scotland. Dental treatment may attract charges unless exempt. Right to rent landlord checks do not apply in Scotland, which can be helpful when arranging accommodation. School education is delivered by local authorities such as Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council. Children living in the area as dependants can usually enroll in state schools based on catchment. Immigration status as a dependant generally allows attendance at state-funded schools.

Biometric appointments for in-UK applications are arranged through UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services. Service points are available across Scotland, commonly in larger cities such as Glasgow and Edinburgh, with pop-up options at times in the North East. Outside-UK applicants attend a visa application centre in their home country. Processing targets vary, but standard decisions for out-of-country dependant applications often take several weeks, with priority services available for a fee. The UK is moving from physical biometric residence permits to eVisas. Many cards have an end date of 31 December 2024 with digital status confirming the true expiry, and families should set up a UKVI account to access their eVisa when invited.

Financial maintenance rules differ by route. For example, Skilled Worker dependants usually need set amounts unless the sponsor certifies maintenance, while Student dependants must show specified funds for up to 9 months. Rules and amounts change periodically, so check current guidance before applying. Dependants typically cannot be a professional sportsperson. Student dependants can usually work in most jobs. Care workers and senior care workers sponsored under the Health and Care Worker route are generally not permitted to bring dependants under current policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who qualifies as a dependant under UK rules

Dependant partners include a spouse, civil partner, or an unmarried partner who has lived with the main applicant in a relationship akin to marriage for at least 2 years. Dependant children are usually under 18. Children 18 or older may qualify if they already hold leave as a dependant and remain part of the family unit. Extended family such as parents or siblings do not qualify as dependants under work or student routes, and adult dependent relative applications require different, very strict criteria.

Can student visa holders bring dependants to Aberdeen

Most students cannot bring dependants under current rules. Exceptions mainly cover postgraduate research students and certain government-sponsored students. If you started your course before recent changes or already have dependants with you, transitional arrangements may apply. Always check the latest Student route guidance before planning travel.

What are the financial maintenance requirements for dependants

The amount depends on the main route. For Skilled Worker dependants, set figures apply unless the employer certifies maintenance on the Certificate of Sponsorship. For Student dependants outside London, each dependant generally must show a set monthly amount for up to 9 months, separate from the student’s own funds. Evidence typically must be held for 28 days ending within 31 days before the application. Amounts and exemptions can change, so verify the current figures and whether certification of maintenance is available.

Do dependants have the right to work or study

Dependant partners of work route migrants can usually work in most roles and can study. They cannot be a professional sportsperson or coach. Student dependants can normally work in most jobs as well, subject to the same sportsperson restriction. Children can attend school. Some professional roles may require registration or background checks.

How long is a dependant visa valid

Dependant permission is usually granted in line with the main visa holder’s permission. If the main applicant extends or changes employer, dependants may need to extend to keep their leave aligned. When the main applicant qualifies for settlement, dependants may also be able to apply, depending on their own length of residence and route-specific rules.

Can we apply from inside the UK

Switching inside the UK is allowed in many cases for dependants, but there are restrictions based on current immigration status. Visitors cannot generally switch in-country. If applying in the UK, you submit an online application, pay fees and the immigration health surcharge, and usually attend a UKVCAS appointment for biometrics. Leaving the UK while an in-country application is pending will normally withdraw the application.

What documents prove our relationship

For married or civil partners, provide marriage or civil partnership certificates and evidence of living together, such as joint tenancy, bills, or official correspondence at the same address. For unmarried partners, evidence of at least 2 years of cohabitation is required, such as joint accounts, joint tenancy agreements, shared bills, and official letters to both at the same address. For children, birth certificates showing parentage are needed. If applicable, include evidence of sole responsibility or consent from the other parent for a child’s travel and residence.

What fees and charges should we expect

You will pay an application fee and the immigration health surcharge. The health surcharge is payable for each year of leave requested and is higher for adults than for children and students. Fees change periodically and priority services incur additional costs. There may also be translation fees and charges for appointments if you choose a premium slot.

Will my child be able to attend school in Aberdeen

Children granted dependant leave and living in Aberdeen can usually enroll in local state schools according to catchment areas. Contact Aberdeen City Council or Aberdeenshire Council education services for enrollment procedures. Attendance at state schools is generally permitted for children with dependant status. Bring proof of address, identity, and immigration status when enrolling.

What happens if our relationship ends or the main visa holder changes route

If a relationship breaks down, a dependant partner’s leave may no longer be valid in the same category. You should seek legal advice promptly about options to switch routes or depart. If the main visa holder changes to another route that allows dependants, family members may be able to extend in line. If the main visa holder loses their leave, dependants’ leave is usually affected and may be curtailed. Early legal advice can help protect your position and identify alternative routes.

Additional Resources

UK Visas and Immigration for official policy and application systems. UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services for biometric appointments in the UK. Visa application centres overseas operated by commercial partners as directed in the online form. Citizens Advice Scotland and Aberdeen Citizens Advice Bureau for free general guidance on immigration and local services. Law Society of Scotland for finding regulated solicitors who practice immigration law. Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner for checking accreditation of immigration advisers. Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council for school admissions, local services, and community support. University of Aberdeen International Student Advisory Service and Robert Gordon University International Student Helpdesk for student families.

Next Steps

Confirm the main applicant’s immigration route and whether it allows dependants under current rules. Check eligibility for each family member, including relationship evidence requirements and any route-specific restrictions. Review the latest fees and immigration health surcharge, and plan for the total cost and timing. Gather documents early, including passports, marriage or birth certificates, proof of cohabitation, consent letters for children, financial evidence, and certified translations where needed. If applying in the UK, plan your UKVCAS appointment and be mindful not to travel while the application is pending. If applying from overseas, identify the nearest visa application centre and prepare for biometrics and any required tuberculosis test based on your country of residence. Consider consulting a regulated immigration lawyer or accredited adviser in Scotland to review your case, especially if there are complexities or recent rule changes. Keep copies of everything submitted and track deadlines to align the family’s leave so you can extend or settle together in the future.

This guide is for general information only. Immigration law changes frequently and your circumstances may require tailored advice. If you are in Aberdeen and need assistance, speak with a qualified immigration solicitor or accredited adviser before you apply.