Query for ILR of dependent: Main applicant switches from skilled worker to global talent for accelerated ILR

[sarif38]

Hi , hope everyone is doing well.

I got 5 year skilled worker visa (until January 2029) as a lecturer in computer science from my university in January 2024 (more than a year ago). I got married and my wife got her skilled worker dependent visa in September 2024, with her visa valid until my expiry. Now we are expecting a baby in September 2025

Yesterday, I got a statement of guarantee for a fast track global talent visa and I aim to apply for a 2 year global talent visa (exceptional talent/promise as a academic and researcher) to be eligible for ILR sooner in early 2027, by adding one previous year from skilled worker route. Getting my ILR earlier will also help in early citizenship of the expected baby. I need your help in the following questions:
1) Is this going to affect/nullify the skilled worker dependent visa for my wife as my global talent visa will expire earlier (estimate in mid-2027)?
2a) Will she be able to extend her visa as my dependent to complete 5 years for ILR when her visa expires in January 2029 while I'll have my citizenship "OR" 2b) in mid-2027 while I am on ILR under global talent route and 2c) will this visa extension reset her ILR clock?
3) If she extends her visa as my dependent in mid-2027 when I have ILR, will she be eligible for IHS refund for the overlapped years since her visa expires in 2029?
4) Am I eligible for IHS refund since I'll be applying visa for a shorter period of time (untill 2027), as compared to what I already have (until 2029)?

Bulk of thanks in advance

[zimba]

It is a common misconception that skilled worker dependants or global talent dependants are different. They are actually the same visa known as 'dependant partner' visa. Furthermore, the ILR rules for dependants under these routes rules do NOT care about the type of the dependant visa of your dependants. Also they can extend (even after your ILR) until they have 5 years to qualify for ILR. There is no clock reset, etc

Regarding IHS refunds and overlapping periods: If you’ve paid twice for the same period and that period is 6 months or more, you’ll get a partial refund rounded down to the nearest 6 months. For example, if you’ve paid twice for a 15 month period, you will get a refund for 12 months of IHS. If you have paid twice for the same period of less than 6 months, you will not get a refund.

[sarif38]

Also they can extend (even after your ILR) until they have 5 years to qualify for ILR. There is no clock reset, etc

Thank you very much for your prompt reply
Just confirming from what you said above also answers my question 1), that my wife's SW depedent visa will not be nullified or invalidated even if it expires after my global talent visa?

[zimba]

No

[sarif38]

Thanks again
Good to know it won't be nullified