tourist versus settlement

[rogerq]

is it generally advisable to try to enable your patner from abroad to visit here on a tourist visa first before attempting to claim a 2 year settlement visa for them?

[John]

No, why would that be the case? There will be numerous persons who get declined for a VV ... because of lack of sufficient "reason to return" ... which is not an issue with a SV application.

Just apply for what you really need.