Best Dependent Visa Lawyers in Bilbao

About Dependent Visa Law in Bilbao, Spain

A dependent visa in Bilbao follows Spanish national immigration law as applied locally by immigration offices in the Basque Country. Generally the term covers visas and residence permits that allow family members of foreign residents or Spanish and EU nationals to join a primary visa-holder in Spain. Procedures vary depending on whether the principal is an EU citizen, an EU resident with rights under EU law, or a non-EU national holding a Spanish residence permit. Applications can be made at a Spanish consulate abroad or at the Oficina de Extranjeros or Police Immigration Units in Bilbao or the relevant provincial administration if the family member is already in Spain.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Many dependent-visa cases are straightforward, but legal advice is useful or essential in multiple situations:

- Complex family situations - unmarried partners, de facto couples, contested paternity, or legal guardianship issues.

- Documentation problems - non-standard civil records, required legalization or apostille, translations, or records from countries with limited consular cooperation.

- Financial and housing disputes - assessing whether a sponsor meets the minimum income and accommodation requirements or resolving disputes over household registration.

- Criminal-record or public-order concerns - prior convictions or legal issues that can lead to refusal.

- Refusal or delays - appeals, administrative review, and preparing litigation if necessary.

- Work-rights and social benefits - advice on whether a dependent may be authorized to work, access healthcare, or obtain social-security coverage.

- Urgent or time-sensitive moves - expedited support for reunification where travel and family welfare are at stake.

Local Laws Overview

Key legal and practical items affecting dependent visas in Bilbao include:

- Governing law - Spain regulates immigration primarily through the Ley de Extranjería and its implementing regulations. EU rules - including the rights of EU citizens and their family members - also apply when relevant.

- Types of family permits - the most common routes are family reunification for non-EU residents, the residence card for family members of EU citizens, and visas for spouses, registered partners, minor children, dependent adult children, and dependent parents.

- Eligibility basics - proof of family relationship, valid identity documents, proof of the sponsor's legal residence in Spain, adequate housing, and sufficient financial means or income are typical requirements. Health insurance and clean criminal records are often required.

- Where to apply - if the family member is outside Spain, the application is usually lodged at the Spanish consulate in their country. If the family member is legally in Spain, applications are often processed by the Oficina de Extranjeros or local police immigration office in Bizkaia or through appointed online appointment systems.

- Documents - commonly required items are valid passports, marriage or birth certificates legalized or apostilled and translated to Spanish, proof of accommodation, proof of income or employment, health insurance, and criminal-record certificates from relevant countries.

- Procedural steps and ID documents - after approval, foreign residents usually receive a visa to travel to Spain and then must apply for a TIE - Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero - and an NIE number to formalize residence.

- Rights and limitations - family members of EU citizens generally have broader immediate rights to move, join and work in Spain under EU law. Non-EU family-reunification permits may or may not include automatic work authorization - this depends on the type of permit and the decision issued by immigration authorities.

- Local practice - immigration is a national competence, but administrative implementation and appointments are handled locally. Bilbao-area applicants should expect to interact with local immigration offices that apply national rules and may have specific document-check procedures and appointment systems. Empadronamiento - registering with the local town hall - is often an early practical step.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can be considered a dependent or family member for visa purposes?

Typically spouses and registered partners, minor children, dependent adult children, and dependent parents qualify. In some circumstances other family members or long-term partners may be recognized, but this depends on the facts and the applicable legal route - EU rights versus national family-reunification rules.

Do I apply from my home country or from within Spain?

If the family member is outside Spain they usually apply at the Spanish consulate in their country of residence. If the family member is already legally in Spain, the application can often be submitted to the local Oficina de Extranjeros or police immigration office. Which route applies depends on the sponsor's status and the applicant's current legal position.

What documents are always required?

Commonly requested documents are valid passports, marriage or birth certificates proving family ties, proof of the sponsor's legal residence and income, proof of suitable housing, health insurance, and criminal-record certificates where required. Documents from other countries normally need translation into Spanish and either apostille or consular legalization depending on the issuing country.

How long will the process take?

Processing times vary by consulate or local office and by case complexity. Simple applications may be processed in a few weeks to a few months. More complex files, requests for additional information, or appeals can take many months. Expect variations and plan for possible delays.

Can a dependent work in Spain?

Work rights differ by the type of permit. Family members of EU citizens generally have the right to work under EU free-movement rules. For non-EU family reunification permits, work authorization may be granted with the permit or may require a separate authorization - check the decision text carefully. A lawyer can advise whether the issued permit includes work rights or how to obtain them.

Do unmarried partners qualify for family reunification?

Unmarried partners may qualify in certain situations, especially where they are registered partners under Spanish law or can prove a durable, stable relationship. Requirements and evidentiary standards are strict, so legal advice is often necessary to prepare the strongest possible case.

What happens if an application is refused?

If the application is refused you will receive a written decision explaining the grounds. There are administrative remedies - such as filing a recurso de alzada or an appeal to the administrative courts - and short deadlines apply. A lawyer can advise on the best challenge route and draft the necessary submissions promptly.

Are translations and apostilles always needed?

Yes - official foreign documents generally must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator and either apostilled if the issuing country is a Hague Convention party or consularly legalized if not. Failure to provide correctly legalized and translated documents is a common cause of delays or refusals.

Will my child automatically get education and health coverage?

Children who obtain residence permits are generally eligible for public education and, depending on the permit and insurance arrangements, access to Spain's public healthcare system. The exact timing and coverage can depend on whether the resident is registered in social security and by the specific permit conditions.

How much does it cost and are there legal aid options?

There are administrative fees for certain applications and costs for translations, legalizations, travel and medical checks. Legal fees vary by firm and case complexity. Low-income applicants may be eligible for legal aid - the Colegio de Abogados or municipal legal services can advise on available assistance. Non-governmental organizations also provide advice and support in many cases.

Additional Resources

Consider contacting or consulting the following types of organizations and bodies for authoritative information and assistance:

- The national Ministry responsible for migration and foreigners for official rules and forms.

- The Oficina de Extranjeros or provincial immigration office that handles applications in Bizkaia and Bilbao for local procedures and appointments.

- Spanish consulates in the applicant's country for visa submissions from abroad.

- The local Ayuntamiento de Bilbao for empadronamiento and municipal services.

- The Colegio de Abogados de Bizkaia for lawyer referrals and to check lawyer credentials.

- Non-governmental organizations that assist migrants, including refugee assistance groups and local immigrant-support services in Bilbao.

- Translation and legalization services for apostille, sworn translations, and consular legalization.

Next Steps

If you need legal assistance with a dependent visa in Bilbao, follow these practical steps:

- Gather your basic documents early - passports, family certificates, proof of the sponsor's residence and income, housing documentation, and any previous immigration decisions.

- Check whether foreign documents require apostilles or consular legalization and arrange sworn translations into Spanish.

- Register at the local town hall - empadronamiento - if already resident in Spain, since this is often required for applications and practical matters.

- Make an appointment with the Oficina de Extranjeros or relevant consulate and confirm the specific document checklist for your case.

- If your case includes complications - criminal records, non-standard family relationships, lack of required documents, or a prior refusal - consult an immigration lawyer experienced in family-reunification cases in Bizkaia as early as possible.

- If you choose a lawyer, verify their standing with the Colegio de Abogados de Bizkaia, ask about fees, expected timelines and communication, and request a written engagement letter outlining services and costs.

- Keep records of all submissions, receipts and official communications. If refused, note the deadline for appeals and seek legal help quickly to preserve your rights.

Taking these steps will help you prepare a stronger application and respond promptly if problems arise. Legal advice is an investment in reducing delays and preserving family unity when dealing with immigration procedures in Spain.