Student dependent visa to PSW/Gradute visa dependent

[Ram_t]

Dear Team,

I have been following this blog for many years and truly appreciate the dedication and support provided by the administrators and contributors. Your assistance to those in need is highly commendable.

I am writing to seek your guidance on behalf of my friend, who is currently in the UK on a student visa.

She and her husband arrived in the UK in September 2023. She is the main applicant, having come to pursue a Master’s degree, and her husband is here as her dependent. She has now completed her studies and recently submitted her application for a Post Study Work (PSW) visa — I believe it is officially referred to as the Graduate Visa. While her application process went smoothly, we encountered some uncertainties when attempting to apply for her husband’s visa as a dependent. We would be grateful if you could help clarify the following points before we proceed further with the submission.

1. Visa Type Displayed in Application
After completing the application form, we downloaded a copy, and the visa category appears as:
PBS, Start-up, Innovator or Global Talent dependant partner.
However, when we checked with another friend who recently applied, their visa category was listed simply as PBS partner. We are unsure whether we have selected the correct form. We accessed the application through the official page here:
https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa/your-p ... d-children
and proceeded by selecting the option for a partner.

2. Visa Expiry Dates
My friend’s current visa is valid until 06/06/2025, while her husband’s visa expires on 21/01/2026.
During the application process, one of the questions asked is:
“What is the end date of your current visa or leave to remain?”
Should we enter 06/06/2025 (to match the main applicant’s expiry date) or 21/01/2026 (the dependent’s actual visa end date)?
We understand that a dependent’s visa typically expires in line with the main applicant’s visa, but this has not been reflected in the UKVI online system, which still shows 21/01/2026 for the husband.

3. Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) Fee
As a test, we filled out the form using both expiry dates and proceeded to the payment section. In both cases, the IHS fee displayed was £517.50. However, when my friend applied for her PSW visa, she was charged £2,070, which we believe is the correct amount for a two-year Graduate Visa.
We are unsure why the dependent application is showing a lower IHS fee and whether this could indicate an issue with the form or the eligibility.

We are quite concerned and would greatly appreciate your assistance in clarifying these points so that we can proceed confidently with the correct application.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Warm regards,
Ram.

[sah10406]

The applicant appears to be overthinking everything unnecessarily.

That is the correct link to the application.

The different visa end dates are not an issue, nor is any potential underpayment of the IHS if that is what the application asks for. The Home Office can request a top-up payment if necessary.

I am not sure what your own role is in this matter, but I do wonder if you are causing some of the confusion and drama as an under-informed amateur visa adviser.

[Ram_t]

Thank you for your response.

While I appreciate your intention to simplify the matter, I must respectfully express concern over the dismissive tone of your reply. The purpose of my message was not to “overthink” but to seek clarification on genuine discrepancies that could potentially affect the outcome of an immigration application — a matter which, I’m sure you will agree, warrants careful attention.

My intention was simply to obtain clarity for my friend, based on observable inconsistencies in the application process and official documentation. Raising questions in such circumstances is both responsible and prudent, especially when dealing with immigration matters that carry significant personal and legal implications.

Additionally, your remark questioning my involvement as an “under-informed amateur visa adviser” was unhelpful and, frankly, unnecessary. If community contributions are to remain constructive, it is important that questions — regardless of who asks them — are met with respect rather than assumptions or personal commentary.

I trust we can maintain a more courteous tone moving forward and focus on the shared goal of supporting those navigating a complex visa system.

Hope you understand the pain. Thanks.

[Ram_t]

Just to clarify, my involvement in this matter began after my friend and her husband had already completed their application and noticed a discrepancy in the IHS fee, which appeared significantly lower than expected. Concerned that something might have gone wrong during the process, they asked me to take a look. The visa category label also appeared inconsistent with another dependent application we had access to, which further raised questions.

I’m not acting as a visa adviser, nor do I claim to be one — just trying to assist a friend in good faith. That said, I do feel it’s important that this space remains one where genuine questions can be asked without assumptions or judgment, especially when people are simply trying to ensure they do things correctly.

Thanks again for your time, and I hope we can continue to exchange information in a respectful and supportive manner.