shortest way to get ILR after not meeting income requirement?

[flat21]

My wife applied for an extended spouse sometime in July, due to not meeting the financial requirement she did not get the 5 years settlement, instead she was switched to 10 years (additional 7 years) settlement due to having a British born baby.

Is there a way to reduce the 7 years until she gets her settlement? for example by switching her visa into 'Apply as a parent' (family visa) or would that not make a difference?

[meself2]

She can't apply as a parent if she can apply as a partner.
immigration-for-family-members/partner- ... 09677.html

The shortest way is to meet an income requirement and reapply now for FLR(M); otherwise, after 5 years have already passed, doesn't matter which way she racks up 10 years.

[flat21]

The shortest way is to meet an income requirement and reapply now for FLR(M); otherwise, after 5 years have already passed, doesn't matter which way she racks up 10 years.

She has already been granted an extended visa (10 years route), did you mean that she is able to re-apply again considering that this time we can meet the minimum requirements even after her application has already been approved previously?

[Ticktack]

The shortest way is to meet an income requirement and reapply now for FLR(M); otherwise, after 5 years have already passed, doesn't matter which way she racks up 10 years.

She has already been granted an extended visa (10 years route), did you mean that she is able to re-apply again considering that this time we can meet the minimum requirements even after her application has already been approved previously?

It's pretty much the same result moving forward.

She got the 1st leave to enter - Paid for
2nd was suppose to complete the 5 years, but you didn't meet the requirements. Switched to 10 years - Paid for
If you decided to switch back to FLR(M), you start 5 years again - Would be paid for
Complete 5 years - Would be paid for

So no matter what you do now, you would be paying 4 times. You might as well enjoy the next 2.5 years and use that time to save for the next one instead of giving more money to the HO, which they would gladly take.
But in terms of years to getting ILR, you can shorten it by 2-2.5 years depending on how long ago you got the extension.

She's free to re-apply anytime she wants, provided you now meet the criteria. But as explained above, the clock is now wonky.