ILR: Should I apply for family separately?

[raviocean]

Hello,

I am looking for some advice.

I arrived in UK in the last week of November 2016 (Tier 2 General) and family (wife and kid) arrived in the last week of December 2016. Our current visa will expired on 14th January 2022.

I am thinking of applying for my ILR in the last week of October 2021 (28 days before my 5 year completion) and then apply for my family's ILR in the last week of November (28 days before their 5 year completion).

So my query is,

1. Is there any disadvantage if my family apply separately from me?
2. If we all apply together in the last week of November, then is there any problems getting premium biometric appointments in the month of December? I believe the appointment has to be booked within 45 days from the date of application.
3. What happens if one is unable to get appointment within 45 days for reasons beyond their control, like last year due to COVID? I guess once the visa application is submitted online then one is safe until a decision on the application is made, even if the visa expires?

Thanks for your help.
Ravi

[CR001]

1. No.

2. Impossible for anyone to tell if there will be appointment delays in December!

3. There Iis unlikely to be huge delay issues. If you apply together, you book appointment together.

[raviocean]

Thanks for the reply.

When applying together the premium decision fee has to be paid for each applicant? Or is it just once if applying together?

[CR001]

The fee is per applicant applying.

Note the priority or super priority is a ukvi service and not a ukcvas biomtric appointment service

[raviocean]

So even if we three apply together we have to pay 3 x £800 = £2400 extra?

[CR001]

Yes.

Ilr fee of 3 X £2389 plus super priority fee of 3 X £800.

[raviocean]

Thanks a lot for the clarification. It was really helpful.