Family and Personal Circumstances

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Apply for your partner or children to stay in Scotland

Your partner or children can apply to stay in Scotland 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)

If your partner or child’s application is successful, their visa will usually end on the same date as yours.

Visas when you separate or divorce

If you’re in Scotland as a dependant on your partner’s visa and you separate or divorce, you must change your visa.

Check our advice on extending or switching your visa

Family visas

You can apply for a Family visa to live with a family member in Scotland.

You cannot get this visa if your family member is on a work or student visa. You can apply to stay with them as dependants instead.

Learn more about Family visas (gov.uk)

Travelling with pets

Dogs, cats, and other small pets can travel into Scotland without going through quarantine, if they meet certain conditions.

Check the pet travel guidance (gov.scot)

You should also check your airline’s rules for travelling with pets.