Seeking advice regarding Tier 2 dependent visa

[ryantam626]

Hi all,

I am originally from Hong Kong and currently have been working in the UK under a General work visa (Tier 2) for 3+ years.

My partner (also from Hong Kong) came to the UK under a Youth Mobility Scheme visa (Tier 5) on 19 Aug 2018 (which ends on 01 Aug 2020). We originally planned to get married before June 2020 and proceed to apply for a Tier 2 dependent visa in June 2020, but with the whole COVID-19 situation, we can't even give notice of marrige because the local council office is closed.

So ultimately my questions are:
1. Is there any reliable way to get married before Aug 2020, so that we can start the application process for a Tier 2 dependent visa?
2. If there is no way to reliably get married by Aug 2020, is there any way that she is still eligible to apply for a Tier 2 dependent visa while staying in the UK the whole time? (We started living together since 19 Aug 2018, so we haven't live together for 2 years even by 01 Aug 2020 - the date her current visa ends)

Thanks!