Switching from Tier 2 to spouse visa from within UK

[Trebby]

Hi,

I'd be grateful for any help you can provide - I've scoured google and this forum but not found any up to date information about this. Apologies if I've missed something.

I am a New Zealand citizen currently working in the UK on a tier 2 visa. I have about 18 months left on my visa. I have just married my husband (a UK born citizen). I would like to change my visa to a spouse visa, and also would like to change my name.

What is the best order to do things in? From what I understand, if I apply for a spouse visa in my new name I will need to get an updated New Zealand passport first (but I'm not sure how this works given that my Tier 2 visa is stuck in this passport with my maiden name). So I would need to give up my visa in order to do this. I have seen some people say they wait until they have ILTR, but that may be 5 years off and I would prefer to change my name before that.

As an aside, am I right in thinking that the LTR clock will reset when I change visa?

Many thanks in advance for all your help.

[CR001]

Change your NZ passport. No need to worry about your Tier 2 Visa you won't lose it if that is what you think. You can carry both passports with you, your visa is not cancelled with your old NZ passport.

Apply to switch (either in person for same day decision or by post) on form FLR(M).

Your clock towards ILR will be reset yes. You will be on a new 5 year route to ILR (2 x 2.5 year visas).

[Trebby]

Many thanks for your helpful reply. I will do this and see how I get on! Apologies for long delay before my reply!

[CR001]

You should also be aware that at present, you are exempt from the £500 immigration health surcharge. But this changes on 6th April 1016, at which point you will need to pay this.