ILR application for PBS dependent - 10 days short

[micasa]

Hi all,

I would like to get advice. I am currently on Tier 2 General dependent which was issued on 20 October 2014. My spouse has just got ILR (finally!) from 5 years on Tier 2 General. I understand I can qualify for ILR 28 days before the date of my visa issue (not the entry to the UK, which is 4 November 2014), but my current PBS dependent expires on 13 September 2019, meaning I am 10 days short even using the visa issue date. I was told to renew the PBS dependent before I apply for an ILR, which I understand as a process.

So here is the question: Is there any way to save cost? It's a lot of money to renew the current visa only to bridge 10 days gap to apply for an ILR... Especially I need to use priority service for keeping the passport.

Thanks!

[zimba]

Apply for extension and vary it to ILR after 10 days. You will get refund for the first application and only pay the ILR costs

[micasa]

Thanks Zimba!

Let me clarify the process you mentioned:

1) I apply the extension of PBS dependent close to the end of my current visa (say 10 September) and book mid-October date for a priority appointment (say 15 October).
2) I vary my application to ILR toward the end of September via online.

So when I vary the application, I will get the money back for the PBS application and pay for the ILR application. I won't be an over-stayer as I will have applied the renewal before the end of my current visa - is my understanding correct? Is there any risk in doing this?

[zimba]

Yes. However you get a refund later on. In your ILR package, you must include a covering letter and ask for variation of leave from PBS dependant to ILR