PBS dependent VISA extension after the main applicant gets ILR

[Yogaraj]

Hi Experts,

I have few queries related to a specific scenario while making an ILR application. It will be of great help if any of you can advise on it.

Situation:

My partner & I have our current visas (skilled worker & PBS dependent) accordingly until April 2024. We have no kids yet.

The main applicant will qualify to apply for ILR by this December 2023. However, the dependent qualifies for the same only by August 2024 and this means we will need the PBS dependent visa to be extended once to cover those extra 4 months that are required before making ILR application for the dependent.

I learnt that the minimum period that we could apply for the dependent visa extension after the main applicant gets ILR is 3 years.

Queries:

1. I believe this PBS dependent visa extension after the main applicant gets ILR will not reset the clock for the dependent. Is that correct please?

2. Considering IHS charge is going to be increased from £624 to £1035 per year by sometime in 2024, As an attempt to reduce the cost involved, when soon can we go for dependent visa extension please? Can we apply for the dependent visa extension immediately after the main applicant gets ILR which will be by December 2023 (OR) Should the dependent VISA extension be applied only certain number of days before the current VISA expires?

3. Finally, As the dependent will obtain ILR within 1 year of extension, can we apply for the refund of the IHS charge for remaining 2 years in the extended visa after obtaining ILR?

Thanks!
Yogaraj

[CR001]

1. I believe this PBS dependent visa extension after the main applicant gets ILR will not reset the clock for the dependent. Is that correct please?

Correct yes.

2. Considering IHS charge is going to be increased from £624 to £1035 per year by sometime in 2024, As an attempt to reduce the cost involved, when soon can we go for dependent visa extension please? Can we apply for the dependent visa extension immediately after the main applicant gets ILR which will be by December 2023 (OR) Should the dependent VISA extension be applied only certain number of days before the current VISA expires?

You can apply at the same time as you submit your ILR application, obviously on the relevant Skilled Worker Dependent form. Their application will be held until your ILR is successful. If your ILR fails, their application will also fail.

3. Finally, As the dependent will obtain ILR within 1 year of extension, can we apply for the refund of the IHS charge for remaining 2 years in the extended visa after obtaining ILR?

No.

https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigrati ... on/refunds

You will not get a refund if:

your visa application is successful but you do not come to the UK
you leave the UK before your visa ends, for example to make a new application
you’re told to leave the UK before your visa expires
you’re applying for indefinite leave to remain

[Yogaraj]

Hi CR001,

Many thanks for the reply, it really helps.

I am fully clear on the query 1 & 3. Just to clarify more on my query 2.

I understand from your reply that there is no necessity to wait for current dependent visa expiry date before applying for renewal and can be applied anytime before expiry. Please correct me, if not.
Also to reduce the denial risk of losing application cost for both ILR & dependent extension, Would you advise to make dependent visa extension immediately after the successful ILR decision instead of making it along with ILR to guarantee the outcome or am I missing anything here please?

[CR001]

I understand from your reply that there is no necessity to wait for current dependent visa expiry date before applying for renewal and can be applied anytime before expiry. Please correct me, if not.

Correct. But do not apply for dependent before you apply for ILR otherwise their visa will be issued with the same expiry date they currently have.

Also to reduce the denial risk of losing application cost for both ILR & dependent extension, Would you advise to make dependent visa extension immediately after the successful ILR decision instead of making it along with ILR to guarantee the outcome or am I missing anything here please?

Your choice. I was only stating what happens if your ILR fails. There is no guarantee anyway. You either meet the requirements or you do not.

[Yogaraj]

Many thanks for the prompt response.

Last one I promise and apologies as this might sound silly but only to make sure I got this right. Am I correct in thinking I will be paying two separate application fees accordingly even if I do the ILR application of main applicant & the dependent visa extension at the same time?

[zimba]

Fees are calculated per person, so two people in one application means you pay twice the ILR fee

[CR001]

Fees are calculated per person, so two people in one application means you pay twice the ILR fee

Just correcting this. You pay ILR fees for yourself and you pay Skilled Worker Dependent visa fee PLUS the IHS fee for your dependent. Separate applications, separate fees, separate rules.

[Yogaraj]

Perfect, that clears all the doubts I had. Thanks a lot

[zimba]

My comment refers to two people being in a SINGLE application. Not separate applications

[CR001]

My comment refers to two people being in a SINGLE application. Not separate applications

Dependent not applying for ILR, hence my correction to avoid confusion.

[tekprince]

Many thanks for the prompt response.

Last one I promise and apologies as this might sound silly but only to make sure I got this right. Am I correct in thinking I will be paying two separate application fees accordingly even if I do the ILR application of main applicant & the dependent visa extension at the same time?

I am also in the same situation as yours planning to extend my wife PBS dependent visa before fee hike, her visa expires in April 2024. Did you submit your extension application. As said in replies we can submit any time before visa expires. Just trying to get more information.

[Yogaraj]

Hi, I am yet to submit the application for dependent visa extension as I am currently waiting for ILR decision of mine.