How early can you apply for Tier 2 General Dependent Visa

Hi Everyone,

I am currently based in London and working for a PLC. I got married last year in December 2014. I need to apply for my wife's visa under PBS Tier 2 General Dependent. I have seen quite a few posts around the required documents and feel very much comfortable about them.

My confusion is around some key dates, following is the background before I ask my questions:

I am planning to apply for her visa in late August 2015 as we are planning to travel together in late November (I will be going on my annual holidays and plan to take her with me while coming back to UK). Home Office has introduced 30 Days visa policy following the collection of BRP with in 10 days on Arrival to UK. our Intending date of travel will be 15-20th November 2015.

I have the following questions:

Q1: How early can I apply for her visa? my understanding is 3 months before intending date of travel. (i.e Late August is 3 months away from our intending date of travel)

Q2: When does the 10 days time period to collect the BRP actually starts as the actual travel dates will be different form intended dates and need to be arranged accordingly. The reason I am asking this question is what if the dependent arrives to UK on the 30th day of Leave, will she have 10 days on top of these 30 days or not? and another possible scenario is if that time starts clicking at the moment dependent clears the entry at airport?

I personally want to apply as early as possible after keeping November 2015 travel dates in mind in case something goes wrong so I have the sufficient time to readjust.

Thanking you in anticipation.

Kind Regards,

Junaid Rai