ILR holder starts working abroad while Global Talent dependant lives in the UK

Trying to figure out what happens if:
- I leave the UK (I am ILR holder) to work overseas
- My wife, she is currently she is Global Talent dependant (this is NOT spouse visa!), continues to live in the UK
- My wife applies for ILR in 2 years (while I'm away but visiting her)

Any complications?

Very similar question. The answer remains the same to the ones in that thread.

The ILR sponsor is expected to be "present and settled in the UK", not just settled/having ILR.

Also long absences from the UK will of course delay any naturalisation application due to absence requirements, thus giving a longer timeline to your username.

Thank you.

>"present and settled in the UK"
What does this mean in practice and what guidance UK caseworker will apply to my wife ILR's application?

- We do have active tenancy agreement and will have
- We will often have time together
- We will have our savings here (saving for house) etc etc.

secret.simon wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 26, 2025 5:32 pm

Very similar question. The answer remains the same to the ones in that thread.

The ILR sponsor is expected to be "present and settled in the UK", not just settled/having ILR.

My post perhaps wasn't that clear I believe because my wife came to the UK under Global Talent route at the same time as me! THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING!!!

How it works:
- I was under Global Talent route and already received my ILR
- My wife is GT dependant (still need 2 more years to apply for ILR)
- Therefore Appendix FM: family members WONT BE applied to my wife (she entered into the UK with me as GT dependant)
- Immigration Rules Appendix Global Talent WILL BE applied to my wife

This means:
- My wife doesn't have the requirement '"The applicant and partner must intend to live together permanently in the UK."
- My wife doesn't have the requirement "present and settled in the UK" (it is NOT in Appendix Global Talent guidance).

2000 GBP saved, god I hate lawyers

All it matters is the cohabitation evidence, showing that you both lived at the same address for the last 2 years

See --> All you need to know about cohabitation evidence

There is very handy table from Relationship with a Partner v7.0 re genuine and subsisting relationship:
- Marriage certificate
- Certificate of civil partnership
- Tenancy agreement;
- mortgage agreement;
- letter from landlord,
- documents of ownership deeds
- Utility Bills – council tax; electricity; gas; water
- Other bills - for example phone; TV licence; cable TV
- Other official documents linking applicant and partner to same address -
-- driving licences,
-- GP/medical letters,
-- payslips,
-- DWP/HMRC letter
- Bank statements
-- (joined or individual);
-- mortgage agreement
- Money transfers;
- bank transactions
- Birth certificate of children (where relevant)
- Temporary work contract/employment letter (!!)
- Study course documents

Basically plenty of flexibility.

I would not bother with this issue that much. You should be all ok