Urgent: Help in applying Tier 2 (Short Term Staff) Dependent

[rivaham]

Hi,

My company is currently applying for my Tier 2 (Short Term Staff) visa. However I need to apply for my wife's visa on my own. I have my bio-metrics appointment scheduled after two days. I was wondering, if along side, can I finish online application for my wife and book an appointment for her bio-metrics as well? For finishing up her online application and booking appointment, do I need my visa to be ready? Or my visa is only required at the time of submitting her application? Please guide, I need to start for UK as early as possible. Thanks

[moonlight55]

You both can apply together. She need not wait for your visa to arrive. Actually, its recommended that a couple applies together.

[rivaham]

Thanks moonlight55. As I said earlier that my company is taking care of my visa through their preferred vendor. They won't apply for wife's visa, if i want it to be applied with mine, they are asking me to pay $1800 fee (apart from visa fee) on personal client basis (which is ridiculous). Hence I decided to apply on my own (or through some other agent who charges less).

Since we both are not applying together the process might take little longer as for her I need to wait for my visa approval. So I would like to know if I can fill her online application in meanwhile and if she can also appear for bio-metrics (before my visa approval).

On a side note, you said that applying together for couple is recommended. Do you see any issue if we apply separately?

Appreciate your response. Thanks again

[moonlight55]

1) You can fill in the online form and save it. However, I think you can only book an appointment once you have your visa since your dependant will be required to carry visa copy (and other necessary documentation) with him/her. If you go together, this will not apply! You cannot predict the visa approval timelines. It varies a lot (The forum has many such examples).

On a side note, you need to pay the visa fees as well before submitting the online form. If for some reason your visa approval is delayed/rejected, you may have to run around for the refund. I'm not sure of the refund rules (You can do some reading abt it - additional headache).

2) Do not foresee any issues if you apply seperately. Just that you will save time if you apply together. If your dependant applies seperately, home office may want to do some checks before approving the visa.

[rivaham]

Thanks moonlight55.

How many days it takes for dependent visa approval? Is there anything like premium processing (My wife and I are currently outside UK and going there for the first time). I see that they have premium processing if you are in UK

https://www.gov.uk/tier-2-intracompany- ... a/overview

Thanks

[moonlight55]

I dont think they have premium processing for T2(G) from outside UK. They have for Business visas but dont think for T2(G).

You can check the approximate timeframe here by entering the details: https://www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times

[rivaham]

Okay. It seems that 75% of the applications are processed within 5 business days.

I'm really confused what to do here, thinking if i should pay hefty fee to my company's immigration vendors to file our visas together or wait for mine first and then apply her. We really have to leave for UK by end of the June.

I'm going for a walk-in biometrics for myself today

[moonlight55]

Seems very unlikely that you and your wife both with get the visa in hand by end of June (If you are planning to apply seperately). You would be very lucky if that happens!

[rivaham]

I got my biometrics done today and giving all documents to my company's immigration vendor today. They would file my visa tomorrow (expedited service) and they said it shouldn't take more than 4-5 business days.

Meanwhile I'm thinking to keep my wife's application ready and get the biometrics done. As soon as my visa is approved, will file her's. Sounds too optimistic?