applying for ILR without becoming dependent

[ITGraduate]

Dear Seniors and Experts,

If I get my ILR by 15th august 2012, can my wife apply for ILR under SET M ( as my dependent ) after 16th Aug 2012. I'm told she cannot as she has to apply as my dependent first from her own country. However few people suggested I ask this query on this forum to get advise from experts.

Please note my wife is currently not my dependent. she is been living and working in UK since August 2003 on her own visa. currently she is on ECAA Visa ( turkish nationals)

We been living in the same address after marriage since Dec 2008 and I can prove this.

Please help experts

Many Thanks

[Lucapooka]

If you get your ILR, your spouse can then apply as your partner but this can be done inside the UK. She will then have to complete five years in that new category before she is eligible for ILR. However, given that she has been in the UK since 2003, she may be able to circumvent this normal requirement by applying for ILR under long residence in 2013. This would be contingent on an unbroken residence period for those 10 years (absences are permitted). And she may not even need to apply for FLR(M) if her current visa extends to 2013.

[ITGraduate]

Thanks for your response.

I'm glad my wife can change with in the country, however dont want to go that route as ILR will take 5 years.

I'll as you suggested ask my wife to apply for ILR next yr ( 10 yr route )

Thanks,