CAN I SWITCH FROM BEING TIER 1 PBS MAIN APPLICANT

[bbtt1278]

Good day,

I apologise if this has been dealt with previously.

I am a tier 1 general PBS holder. I came in with student visa in September 2008. On completion of my studies, I applied for the then 2 years post study work visa in February 2010.
In March 2011, I applied for Tier 1 General Visa as the main applicant and was granted in April 2011. My spouse who had a student visa then, applied as my dependant in October 2011. I renewed my application with my dependants (my husband and child who was born here), as we had to travel out of the UK.

My husband has now applied for and has been been granted his ILR via the long residence (10 years route) in December 2015. we will be applying to register our child as a citizen.
I know I will be eligible to apply for ILR under Tier 1 general route by April 2016, however, I want to explore my options as I may not have met the financial/income requirement to qualify as I am both employed (earning over £20,000) and self employed as a sole trader.

My Questions:

A) I want to know can I switch my category from being the Tier 1 general holder to apply as his dependant (i.e. Can I apply as the dependant of a person already settled in the UK);

B) If Yes to the above question (A), Can I apply in country or will I have to travel back to my home country to apply for entry clearance as I am switching categories/routes?;

C) If I can switch either in country or outside the UK, please what are ALL the requirements and who needs to show earnings (my husband or me), how much is required and for how long do we have to prove and how long should it have been held for?

Thank you

Bibi

[CR001]

A) I want to know can I switch my category from being the Tier 1 general holder to apply as his dependant (i.e. Can I apply as the dependant of a person already settled in the UK); Yes, on form FLR(M). It will rest your clock towards ILR though.

B) If Yes to the above question (A), Can I apply in country or will I have to travel back to my home country to apply for entry clearance as I am switching categories/routes?; You can apply in country, either by post or in person.

C) If I can switch either in country or outside the UK, please what are ALL the requirements and who needs to show earnings (my husband or me), how much is required and for how long do we have to prove and how long should it have been held for? Please do make an effort to search teh forum and read the FLR(M) form and guidance notes. Your husband/you need to meet £18,600pa income.