Do I have to include my dependents on my EC application ?

[keviv]

Hi,

I got my HSMP approval 2 months ago and I am getting ready to apply for EC.
I am married with a 4 year old son. My son is going to to preschool and I want my wife and child to remain here until I get fully settled (with a job and apartment) in the UK. I realize this may take some time , maybe 6 months or more.

What I want to know is the following:
Do I have to apply for EC for my wife and son right away (along with my application) , or can I do this after 6-8 months ?

The reason is: After they get their EC they will have to be in UK within the next 3 months (or atleast the ILR clock will start ticking) , so it is desirable to delay this until they are ready to come to the UK.

Does anybody here have any experience of the latter ? [i.e. Dependents appied separately for EC several months after the primary applicant got his EC]

Your responses are highly appreciated.

[push]

It is strongly advised to aplly for dependent's EC along with the main applicant's VISA. BHC may reject the application on the grounds that you do not intend to make UK as your main home. I know of a person, whose application was initally rejected* due to this.

Having said that, I think, if you have reasons convincing enough and the same are properly highlighted in the cover letter, you might actually get an approval without any problem.

*The person that I am talking about got approval after an interview at BHC.

Kiind regards,

push_hsmp