Visa renewal for only one year - Advice

[PN1991]

Hi,

My Ancestry Visa expires August 2024.

My partner's job may require her to be in the UK until August 2025.

I am debating different visa options for cost reasons. I would like to stay in the UK with her, and I currently have a job in th UK. I can apply for an Ancestry Visa renewal, but ideally I would not commit to another 5 years, as the healthcare surcharge for 5 years is very expensive.

Would I be able to get any of my healthcare surcharge back if I leave the UK early?

If not, what do you recommend?

Some options I was thinking about:
- 3 year skilled worker visa if my workplace sponsor me (I work in administration for a university)
- Become a dependent on my partners skilled worker visa - Can I still work?
- Indefinite Leave to Remain - My 5 years of living in the UK is reached on the day my visa expires, so would that even work?

Thanks so much! Any advice is much appreciated.

Also - am I right in thinking the healthcare surcharge is the same per year for all of these visas? (Currently £624 per year but increasing very soon??)

- Phil

[meself2]

Would I be able to get any of my healthcare surcharge back if I leave the UK early?

No.

- 3 year skilled worker visa if my workplace sponsor me (I work in administration for a university)

Why three years? I might be worng, but can't you just ask for one year CoS?

- Become a dependent on my partners skilled worker visa - Can I still work?

Yes, you will be able to work.

- Indefinite Leave to Remain - My 5 years of living in the UK is reached on the day my visa expires, so would that even work?

As you can get ILR 28 days before the actual 5 years expire, that's certainly possible; just apply around the end of your visa. As you have a pending application, you'l be staying in the country legally.

Also - am I right in thinking the healthcare surcharge is the same per year for all of these visas? (Currently £624 per year but increasing very soon??)

Yes.

[Ticktack]

Also - am I right in thinking the healthcare surcharge is the same per year for all of these visas? (Currently £624 per year but increasing very soon??)

- Phil

Except for the ILR, there's no health surcharge for that.

[PN1991]

This was all extremely helpful, thanks so much!

I will look into one year CoS. I have not heard of this.

I have a couple more questions,

- Regarding ILR, is it bad if I apply, accept, and receive ILR... and then move out the country soon after? (I know I have to stay in the country for 6 months first). And is it still a useful thing to have, even if I move away, just in case I want to move back?
It seems like a better price (without healthcare surcharge) than another 5 year Ancestry Visa.

- Regarding CoS. Can a one year CoS be extended to 2 years or 3 year if necessary? And am I right in assuming I need to go through my employer to set this up? Perhaps the HR department at the University I work for?

You guys are all stars, thanks again!!

- Phil

[Frontier Mole]

Your best option is ILR, it gives you more flexibility, is not cheap but no IHS so that offsets costs.

Once you have ILR that allows you to reside free of additional immigration charges and requirements to renew visa etc. it is only a small (costly) step to citizenship thereafter.
Pros - one off payment, allows free movement in and out the U.K. Gives you unrestricted rights to remain and work plus free access to the NHS etc.
Cons - if you leave the U.K. for more than two years continuously then essentially you lose ILR and it no longer applies.

It all depends on what your future plans are.
If it is solely to stay to the end of your wife’s visa then become her dependent. On doing so this also sets your ILR clock to zero.

[PN1991]

- 3 year skilled worker visa if my workplace sponsor me (I work in administration for a university)

Why three years? I might be worng, but can't you just ask for one year CoS?

Hi again,

Can anyone recommend where I can look to learn more about this 1 year CoS that was mentioned?

What does it stand for?

Who sponsors me on this Visa? I am currently a Student Support Coordinator at a University - would I be eligible?

Thanks so much!

[CR001]

Can anyone recommend where I can look to learn more about this 1 year CoS that was mentioned?

You need an employer who has a UKVI Sponsor Licence to sponsor you if you are in a qualifying job role to be able to get a Skilled Worker Visa.

What does it stand for?

CoS = Certificate of Sponsorship.

Who sponsors me on this Visa? I am currently a Student Support Coordinator at a University - would I be eligible?

An employer who has a licence to sponsor workers. Your position is unlikely to qualify for a Skilled Worker visa.

Your best option seems to be becoming a dependent on your partners visa if you meet the requirements. And yes, you can still work.

Alternatively, simply apply for ILR when you qualify.