Dependent visa extension while main applicant applies for ILR

Hi,

I have a situation and am unable to find the right answer anywhere, so I'd really appreciate your help.

I entered the UK on a 5-year Skilled Worker Visa (shortage occupation) in November 2021. My family (wife and 2 kids) joined me in October 2022 on 5-year Dependent visas.

In 2026 all our visas will expire. Since I would have been in the UK for 5 years, I will be eligible for an ILR, however my family will need one more year for an ILR.

What should be done at that point... is there a way to extend the same visa for one more year?
If not, can they apply for new 1-year Dependent Visas? Or are there just 3 or 5-year visas?

Are there any other options or routes they can take that are less expensive, like FLR or something?

The best option is to do a 3 year dependant extension, so their ILR clock don't reset.

Is there an option for a 1 year visa extension? This way we don't have to pay unnecessary IHS fees for 2 extra years. And if that's the case, could they get a refund for those 2 years?

Nope, it's 3 years only (in this category).
No IHS refund either as you'll be applying for ILR.
https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigrati ... on/refunds

You will not get a refund if:

you’re applying for indefinite leave to remain

Rules still might change in a few years.

It is a 3 year extension for your dependents if you get ilr. This is stated in the immigration rules. You cant choose a lesser time duration.

No refund of ihs when they apply for ilr. Also clearly stated on the ukvi ihs website.

I just gave the UKVI Office a call. They confirmed that my dependants would have to pay the fee of the "Up to 3 years" application. So yes, that is minimum.
However, there would be a duration/end date, which we can put as 1 more year and therefore we'd only need to pay IHS for that 1 year, not 3. First time i hear or read this anywhere.

Does anyone know about this.... has anyone here gone through the application extension process and seen this?

You'll be asked to pay for 2 more years of IHS and you won't be granted a visa until you do.

My advice is not to try and game the system, where your residence is at stake - it absolutely can backfire at some point.

Thanks @meself2... yeah im not trying to trick the system at all, just want to know what our options are. Have you been through the process before? You are saying that we'd be asked to pay for 2 years IHS, although they need only one more year to eligible for ILR... how is this determined? Thanks.

ziggy9810 wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 21, 2023 12:47 pm

Thanks meself2... yeah im not trying to trick the system at all, just want to know what our options are. Have you been through the process before? You are saying that we'd be asked to pay for 2 years IHS, although they need only one more year to eligible for ILR... how is this determined? Thanks.

ILR isn't mandatory - you don't have to apply for ILR. It's your choice. You can stay on this visa for while 3 years without applying for ILR.
So you're paying IHS for however long your visa is valid, which is 3 years, as per immigration rules.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration ... led-worker

SW 36.1. A partner will be granted:
(a) permission which ends on the same date as their partner’s permission as a Skilled Worker; or
(b) 3 years’ permission if the Skilled Worker was (or is being) granted settlement as a Skilled Worker.

Hi,
I am in the similar sistutaion, Could you assist me in determining which URL to use for submitting the Dependent extension?

Thanks,
KS