Switching from Tier 2 Dependant Visa to Sponsored Visa—Impact on ILR Clock & Advice Needed

[basantrathi2401]

Hello,

I am currently in the UK on a Tier 2 dependant visa, which will expire on 17 November 2025. By that date, I will have completed 2 years and 6 months in the UK. My Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) was issued on 08 May 2023, and I entered the UK on 07 May 2023.
Initially, I worked for an Indian company while based in the UK and was paid in INR. For the past 4 months, I have been working for a UK-based company, which has offered to sponsor my visa moving forward.

I have a few questions:
If I switch from my dependant visa to a sponsored work visa, will my 5-year ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) clock reset, or will I be able to combine the time spent on both visas?
If I remain on the dependant visa for the next 2 years and 6 months, will I become eligible for ILR at the end of this period?
My partner’s employer is not able to support my sponsorship, so if I continue as a dependant, I would need to bear the costs of my own sponsorship. Given these circumstances, what would be the most advisable route?

Any insights or advice regarding the best option and its impact on my ILR eligibility would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

[CR001]

If you switch to your own skilled worker visa, your 5 year ILR clock resets to zero. You cannot combine the dependent time with your own main skilled workerh visa time to make up 5 years for ilr. The rules do not permit this.

If you stay on dependant visa and meet all the requirements, you can apply for ILR when you reach 5 years, provided your spouse is also applying for ilr or has already got ilr. As a depdnet you cannot apply fornilr independently if your spouse isn't apply or doesn't hold ilr.

Your spouse employer is not obligated to pay your visa fees. A new employer for your own skilled worker visa is also not obligated to pay your fees and many employers don't pay them.

Your choice what you choose to do.