Tier 2 dependent (newborn) - Leaving country before visa

[sportexpatLondon]

I am in the UK on a Tier 2 general visa. I just received my newborn son's passport from the US Embassy and have to start the visa process. We are planning travel back to the US soon, do I have to have the visa in place by the time we leave for the US or can I apply once we return?

My understanding is that if we don't apply before traveling, then he can be (but may not be) admitted on a 90 day tourist visa. The other is a financial consideration should my company decide not to pay for the dependent visa. If we wait until the end of November, we will have less than three years left on the tier 2 which is a significant cost savings. Is this a loophole that I could exploit if need be?

Thanks in advance

[iworker]

he doesnt need a visa to travel to US
he will need to apply for visa IN US to come back.. otherwise he will be stopped and will not be admitted as tourist.
Even if he was admitted as tourist (for argument sake), u cant change visa from tourist to dependent inside UK.
if u wait till Nov, and by that time, although your time remaining will be less than 3 years, the only cost saving will be on NHS charges as they will reduce by £100 (for every 6 months they reduce by 100).. however the actual vost of visa, u will still have to apply for 5 year dependent visa as his visa is in line with yours and is not dependent upon how long the duration is left, but on what type (duration) the cos was issued.

[sportexpatLondon]

Thank you for the clear and concise answer.

[sportexpatLondon]

Hi all, I just received the passport for my newborn and have to apply for his visa asap as we're planning a trip back to the US in about 6 weeks. It is unclear to me whether we can use the priority service, can someone please confirm whether I can use this service or whether there is some other expedited service we can use? Thanks in advance!

[vinny]

M.

[sportexpatLondon]

One other question for anyone reading. Should my employer write a letter regarding maintenance funds, do they have to only certify the £630 or the full £2800-ish? If I show bank account (given that employer certified maintenance when I got the visa two years ago, do I only have to show the £630? Thanks in advance.

[iworker]

only 630
if the letter is there, no need for your bank statement