Dependent family application date

[MarkCa]

Hello,

Main applicant on skilled worker visa will become eligible to apply for ILR in December this year. His Skilled Worker visa ends on 31.12.2024 and he will qualify for ILR mid December (his qualifying period started on 14.1.2020.)

His family (wife and two kids) got visa in July 2020 and it is also ending on 31.12.24. since that is the ending date of his visa. Therefore, it will last for about 4 years and 6 months when it ends.

I am aware that they will need to apply for a 3 year extension before qualifying for ILR.

However, I heard that there may be some "clever hacks" to extend the stay by delaying biometrics.

How long can they do that? If they pay for the visa on 31st of December (and therefore apply on time) can they wait with biometrics for 7-8 months in order to qualify for ILR?

If they can, what would be the next steps? Applying for ILR to create a new valid stay and then canceling extension application and asking for a refund?

Would that work?

Thanks!

[zimba]

Applying early is possible if you are short of up to 45 working days for ILR, not more than that. That is the maximum number of days you get to enrol your biometrics before your application is rejected as invalid. In this case, the family members will need to apply for an extension before visa expiry to make up the 6-month shortfall.

How to apply early and benefit from the date of the ILR decision ?