PBS Dependents in Separate Visa Application

Hi Experts,

We (I, my wife & Son(2 years old)) are currently holding 3 year Tier 2 general visa, i am the main holder and my wife and son are dependent visa holders, all of our current visas are getting expired on same day in early May 2022.

My employer is going to pay the cost of my visa for further 3 year extension through their regular immigration firm and I need to pay the visa cost for my dependents. and my employer is suggesting me to go through the same immigration firm for my dependents visa extension so that they can do all at the same time.
But i want to avoid going with them for my dependents visa as they are charging me lot of fees.

So my questions are,
1. Is it possible that the immigration firm can submit my visa application first and i can submit separate visa application for my wife and Son combine in one?
2. if yes then how are those 2 visa applications (one my application and one dependents application ) are going to be connected/linked so that there wont be any delay/queries/rejections on my dependents application?
3. I believe there will be separate Sopra Steria appointment/biometric appointment for those 2 applications, am i correct in thinking that?

Best Regards.

1. Yes
2. Dependant's application form will ask for your application's UAN to link them together.
3. Yes, but you can try to book at adjacent slots.