Tier 2 (General) visa extension without dependents

[chiru_reddybio]

Hi,

I will be eligible for an ILR (long-residency) visa by 16th Jan 2016 (visa valid until 19th Jan 2016) but my current employment will be ending in Dec 2015. My employer is insisting me to extend my visa on or before my current employment expires.

I am planning to apply for myself ONLY (without dependents) for Tier 2 extension and after a month I will switch to ILR (long-residency) with dependents. I have few questions to ask....

1) If I apply for Tier 2 extension without dependents, are they allowed to stay?
2) If so, when it come to switch my visa to ILR (a month after), can I include my dependents (who are dependents on my previous visa status) with my application or they have to apply separately?

Thank you in advance.

Regards,
Reddy

[CR001]

Long residence doesn't permit dependents to apply with you.

What application exactly did you mean your dependents will submit?

[chiru_reddybio]

@ CR001

I am planning to apply for a tier 2 visa extension without dependents and then, within a month, I will switch to ILR. I knew that ILR on long residence does not permit dependents and therefore I will apply first in person then apply for dependents later.

Scenario....
My wife is now a dependent on me (Tier 2 general). I am extending my visa without my wife that means she will be as a dependent on my old Tier 2 visa.
Then, after a month, I will switch to ILR (LR) then I will add my wife as a 'dependent on settled person (2 and half year route).

My exact question was....
Is my wife allowed to stay on her current dependent visa (without a need to extend with me, which is more economical) and permit to extend her visa when I got my ILR?

[geriatrix]

1. If you apply for settlement under long residence, then your dependants will have to apply for FLR(M) as soon as you are granted settlement and your wife's ILR clock will be reset (she will need to spend 5 years from the date of issue of FLR(M) leave to be eligible for settlement).

2. Your dependants may continue to be on PBS dependant leave as long as you remain a PBS migrant or are granted settlement under PBS route before their current PBS dependant leave expires.

[chiru_reddybio]

@ Sushdmehta

My question was..is my wife allowed to stay without extending her visa with me (tier 2 extension) as her visa will expire in Jan 2016 and I am planning to extend her visa only when I receive my ILR but not with my initial Tier 2 extension (I can be on this visa for a month or less)? Hope you understand!

[geriatrix]

Yes, she can remain the UK until expiry of her current leave.

[chiru_reddybio]

Thank you!