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Hello everyone.

I’m hoping someone can help clarify something regarding the COVID-era UKVI concession for Tier 2 (General) applicants & dependents.

Background regarding our Tier 2 application.
Both my spouse (Primary applicant) and I (her dependent) had applied for our Tier 2 (General) 5 year visa on in June 2020. The visa was granted in October 2020. The primary applicant was eligible for an ILR on the 10 year route. The ILR for the primary applicant was granted in November 2024.

For the dependent, the duration of the granted visa is less than five years with the validity until June 2025.

Summary of dates -
Submitted online application: June 4th 2020
Uploaded documents: June 11th 2020
Received email saying visa was granted: Oct 11th 2020
Visa End Date: June 20th 2025

I looked up and found this in the guidance - https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... bookmark76

On this page, it states that -

"Due to major disruption to UKVI services during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tier 2 (General) and Skilled Worker applicants in the UK were permitted to start work for their sponsors while waiting for decisions on their applications. This time while they were waiting, but able to work, also counts towards the continuous 5-year period.

The applicant must have been in the UK with permission (including as a visitor or with Exceptional Assurance), and the application must have been:

- for permission to stay
- made between 24 January 2020 and 30 June 2021 (inclusive)
- supported by a CoS on the date of application
- granted"

The wording in the guidance focusses on the work eligibility for the primary applicant. I wanted to check whether
a. this also applies for a dependent? Logically, it might, but it is not explicitly stated.
b. Has anyone here (or someone you know) applied for ILR as a dependent in this exact situation and was it approved?
c. In a situation where I have to extend my dependent visa, and become eligible in October 2025 for my ILR, is there a potential that I might be impacted by visa policy changes (ILR from 5 to 10 years)

Any personal experiences, guidance, or links to official policy would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

The rules do not permit the dependant to benefit from that concession however someone recently reported that their dependant applied and benefited from it. Do what you wish with that information. Also, we cannot tell you what could happen in the future

HI Zimba - Thanks for the message. I will have a think and post an update.

Hi. Wanted to post a quick update.

Outcome -
ILR Granted.

Story - (for anyone in a similar situation)
I spoke to a solicitor who also said that the rule / wording is a grey area. It would be risky to apply, but one cannot say.

I decided to take the risk (for various reasons - a. needing to travel, b. additional costs for a Tier 2 extension + subsequent ILR, c. potential visa rule changes before my next ILR application in October). I also had a student visa rejection more than 10 years ago (due to a documentation problem) and an FPN from the council.

I submitted my application on Wed, 11th with super priority around midnight - was able to book the first biometrics appointment for Fri, 13th. (My wife had a similar case - biometrics for a super priority appointment when she applied and her email from home office atlas came back the same day). I did not get an email on Friday and was very stressed about waiting for 2 more days over the weekend. But, then I got an email from the Home Office on Saturday around noon that my application was successful.

Extremely relieved and grateful that it worked out.

Good luck and best wishes to everyone.

TL;DR - ILR granted.