When to apply for ILR for main applicant and extend dependant visa

[ankitperiwal]

Hello experts,

I am currently on a Tier 2 General visa and about to switch employers. I need some advise on when to extend my partner's Dependant visa. Some details about my situation below. Thank you so much.

Main Applicant:

- Tier-2 General BRP 1 application date: 09/05/2019, Entry clearance date 17/06/2019, BRP Valid until 14/07/2024
- First arrived in UK with Employer 1: 14/07/2019
- Switched to Employer 2 in 11/2020
- Tier-2 General BRP 2 issue date 15/10/2020, valid until 18/10/2023
- Switching to Employer 3 in 10/2023
- SW visa start date on new COS: 18/10/2023, valid until 17/10/2026
- Eligible to apply for ILR in May, 2024

Dependant Applicant (Partner):

- Visa Application Decision (was not in the UK at this point): 18/10/2021
- BRP issue date 29/11/2021, Entry clearance date 11/12/2021, BRP valid until 14/07/2024
- First arrived in the UK: 11/12/2021

I have the following questions based on the information provided:
1. I am planning to apply for an ILR next year, I believe I should be able to start my application in May, 2024 (1 month before the entry clearance date). Is that correct?
2. I am also planning to apply for my dependant's visa extension at the same time. Would she be granted 3 years? With the extension, I want to make sure she is able to meet her qualifying period for her ILR which I believe will be in Nov, 2026.

Thanks,
A

[AmazonianX]

Hello experts,

I am currently on a Tier 2 General visa and about to switch employers. I need some advise on when to extend my partner's Dependant visa. Some details about my situation below. Thank you so much.

Main Applicant:

- Tier-2 General BRP 1 application date: 09/05/2019, Entry clearance date 17/06/2019, BRP Valid until 14/07/2024
- First arrived in UK with Employer 1: 14/07/2019
- Switched to Employer 2 in 11/2020
- Tier-2 General BRP 2 issue date 15/10/2020, valid until 18/10/2023
- Switching to Employer 3 in 10/2023
- SW visa start date on new COS: 18/10/2023, valid until 17/10/2026
- Eligible to apply for ILR in May, 2024

Dependant Applicant (Partner):

- Visa Application Decision (was not in the UK at this point): 18/10/2021
- BRP issue date 29/11/2021, Entry clearance date 11/12/2021, BRP valid until 14/07/2024
- First arrived in the UK: 11/12/2021

I have the following questions based on the information provided:
1. I am planning to apply for an ILR next year, I believe I should be able to start my application in May, 2024 (1 month before the entry clearance date). Is that correct? Yes you can
2. I am also planning to apply for my dependant's visa extension at the same time. Would she be granted 3 years? With the extension, I want to make sure she is able to meet her qualifying period for her ILR which I believe will be in Nov, 2026. You can apply at any time till expiry of current leave

Thanks,
A

[ankitperiwal]

@AmazonianX would the dependant be granted a leave for 3 years (i.e. till June 2027 if we apply in June 2024) even if the main applicant's visa is expiring before (Oct 2026).

[CR001]

@AmazonianX would the dependant be granted a leave for 3 years (i.e. till June 2027 if we apply in June 2024) even if the main applicant's visa is expiring before (Oct 2026).

If you apply for ILR and your decision is pending, a dependent visa extension application will be held until your ILR decision has been made.

[Anon123B]

Hi Ankitperiwal,

Further to the above, if your ILR application was to be accepted then your wife (as a dependant visa holder) seeking to extend her dependant visa after you are given an ILR can only actually apply for and be given a 3 year extension.