Going overseas, family doesnt have visa extension yet issue

[funkyr]

I have a Tier 1 General recently extended until 2015. My family (wife + 2 kids) have not yet renewed their visas for 2015 so theirs will expire early July 2013.

All my family have 2nd schengen passports from another country (non EU).

We are planning to go overseas in July.

I will be applying for my wife's + 2 kids visa renewal via post in late May and am afraid I wont get them back in time for when we leave in July. I dont see a reason for their applications to be refused.

If we dont have the visas and passports back in time and go overseas, when we come back will my wife + 2 kids be allowed to enter the UK as tourists on their 2nd passports?

Has anyone done anything similar?

Thanks

[bubin123]

Nope, because their intention to travel UK is not tourism.
Nowadays, the turn around time for T1 G dependant visa is approx 4-5 weeks.
If you are applying late May, you can expect the passport and BRP for your dependants early July.
On a side note, do you know the new visa fees for T1G dependants applying separately?