Family and citizenship

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Bringing your family to Scotland

If you’re in Scotland on a visa, your partner or children can apply to stay with you as your dependants. They need to meet certain conditions. Each person needs a separate application.

You can apply for your child if you have parental responsibility for them. You can apply for your partner if you have their permission.

The rules are different depending on what visa you have. 

To check if your partner or children can apply, see the: 
 

• Skilled Worker visa rules for dependants (gov.uk)
• Student visa rules for dependants (gov.uk)
• Graduate visa: your partner and children (gov.uk)

Becoming a British citizen

British citizenship gives you the right to live, work and study in the UK. You can stay without any immigration restrictions.  

As Scotland is part of the UK, there is no separate Scottish citizenship. The UK Government makes decisions about visas and immigration. The Scottish Government has no control over the UK immigration system. 

Find advice on deciding if citizenship is right for you (citizensadvice.org.uk)

Find out more about becoming a British citizen (gov.uk)