Dependency visa extension period and ILR application time

Hi everyone,

We would like to extend my wife's dependency visa as it is expiring in July. She had her initial dependency visa in 2018 but she wasn't in the UK during the pandemic (for longer than 180 days) and she started to live in the UK in June 2021. So we think that she will be eligible to apply for ILR in December 2025 (considering her residency for 4.5 years plus 6 months away period). So can anyone kindly answer our questions below? As an additional info, I initially came with Tier2 visa in 2017, got my ILR in 2022 and became UK citizen in 2023.

1) Is our calculation accurate for ILR application and will she be eligible in December 2025?
2) Is it possible for her to apply for visa extension for 6 or 12 months?
3) Will we use the same route (skilled worker dependency visa) for her extension?

Many thanks in advance.

2) Is it possible for her to apply for visa extension for 6 or 12 months?

No. It is a 3 year extension as stated in the immigration rules. There is no option or discretion for a lesser duration.

3) Will we use the same route (skilled worker dependency visa) for her extension?

Yes.

Thank you for your response.

May I ask your opinion on the right time for ILR application? She got her first dependent visa in 2018 but she left UK at the end of 2019 and stayed with her parents until June 2021. After coming back to UK, she spent less than 90 days outside UK in total. Does it mean that she can apply for ILR in December 2025 or do you have any suggestion?

Lastly, after getting the ILR, is it possible to request payback for the IHS? Thanks again.

There is no ihs refund.

I can't answer your first question as I don't know.