Health surcharge error

[vishnugouthaman]

Hi,
My current visa is as PBS dependant on my Wife's Tier 2 General (Shortage occupation) visa.
Since then, She has completed her 5 yrs in tier 2 and moved to ILR - about 7 months ago.
My visa is due for renewal next month - i will become eligible for ILR in long residence route (10 yr route) in Sep 2019.
1. Can I apply to extend my PBS dependent visa or should I move to ILR dependent category?
2. Since I will be eligible for ILR in 1 yr, Is it possible to extend my visa for just 1 yr, thereby I only pay the health surcharge for 1 yr and not 3 years?
3. Wife was in shortage occupation when she last extended her Tier 2 general visa and while getting her ILR visa. Since then, She has moved to a different job which is not in shortage occupation list. If I can apply as PBS dependant, Am I expected to pay standard visa fee or PBS dependant of Tier 2 (shortage occupation) fee?

Thanks for help.
Vishnu

[CR001]

1. Yes you can extend your PBS Dependent visa. It will be a 3 year extension.

2. No. It is a 3 year extension, you cannot apply for less as 3 years is what the immigration rules state you will get.

3. Not sure.

[vishnugouthaman]

Thanks CR001.

Can you recommend a different source who can clarify my Q3?
UKVI phone line recommended the Citizen advise bereau - but unable to reach any of their branch.

Vishnu

[vishnugouthaman]

Hi,
My wife who was in Tier 2 general has now switched to ILR.
On advice that I can extend my PBS dependent visa rather than switch to ILR dependant,I am currently applying to extend my PBS dependent visa. (please confirm that I can do this)
While filling the Health Surcharge part of the online application, I have provided the following answers:
(I have removed the sensitive answers like name, passport number, etc. below)
Applying from UK
Staying in Isle of Man, Jersey or Guernsey? : NO
Visa route : Tier 2 PBS Dependant
Visa type : Tier 2 (General); up to 3 years

You're joining or remaining with this person in the UK
Visa expiry date : 31 December 2024
Visa route : Tier 2
Visa type : Tier 2 (General); up to 3 years

The health surcharge is calculated to be £1,600!!
I think its done based on the validity of my wife's visa. (8 yrs *200 = £1,600) which I think is wrong, since I will be given visa for only 3 yrs.

When I use the Health surcharge calculator on UKBA website (separate one to check the health surcharge and not the one which is part of the online application) and select the appropriate answers it calculates my health surcharge to be £600. This calculator doesn't even ask for my wife's visa expiry date.

Can you advice which options should I select to pay the correct health surcharge fee?

P.S. I will become eligible for my ILR next year (10 yr long residence route), so if there is a way for me to extend my dependent visa by just 1 yr that would be ideal.

Regards,
Vishnu

[CR001]

Change your partners ILR expiry date as 3 years from now and you will get the correct amount of £600.

.PS. I will become eligible for my ILR next year (10 yr long residence route), so if there is a way for me to extend my dependent visa by just 1 yr that would be ideal.

No there is not. The immigration rules state that it will be a 3 year extension and you cannot choose a lesser time validity.

[vishnugouthaman]

Thanks CR001.
That makes sense and I am sure the calculator will ask me to pay £600 if I entered an expiry date which is 3 yrs away.
I am a bit concerned that this would mean that I am providing incorrect information on the application, which I ideally don't want to do. Can you think of any other way ?

[CR001]

Many have done this due to this glitch in the system and has no adverse effect on your application.

Alternative is to pay the 1600 and then wait for a refund which can take a while.

[vishnugouthaman]

Thanks CR001.