Dependent children ILR – Main applicant has ILR, spouse eligible in Dec 2027

[PrasadUK]

Hello everyone,

I would appreciate some advice regarding my family's ILR eligibility.

My situation is as follows:

* I was granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) through the Skilled Worker route in July 2026.
* My wife is currently on a Skilled Worker Dependant visa and will complete her 5-year qualifying period in December 2027, when she intends to apply for ILR.
* We have two children, aged 7 and 6, who are also Skilled Worker dependants.
* Both children were born in India and have been living in the UK for approximately 4 years.
* We all live together as a family in the UK.
* My wife's and children's dependant visas are valid until January 2027, which is before my wife becomes eligible for ILR.

I would be grateful if you could clarify the following:

1. Can my children apply for ILR before my wife becomes eligible for ILR?
2. Or do they need to wait until my wife applies for ILR in December 2027?
3. As their dependant visas expire in January 2027, is it possible for my wife and children to extend their dependant visas even though I have already been granted ILR? If so, is the extension normally granted for the period required until my wife's ILR eligibility, or is it issued for the standard three years?
4. Is there any exception or alternative route that would allow my children to obtain ILR earlier in our circumstances?

Thank you very much for your guidance and advice.

[secret.simon]

1. Can my children apply for ILR before my wife becomes eligible for ILR?

No.

2. Or do they need to wait until my wife applies for ILR in December 2027?

Yes.

3. As their dependant visas expire in January 2027, is it possible for my wife and children to extend their dependant visas even though I have already been granted ILR?

Yes.

If so, is the extension normally granted for the period required until my wife's ILR eligibility, or is it issued for the standard three years?

The latter (standard three years), for both wife and the three children. You may want to start saving for the fees for all three of them, for the extension application, the ILR application and the subsequent naturalisation and registration applications. You are looking at upwards of £10,000 to £15,000 for all three applications combined.

4. Is there any exception or alternative route that would allow my children to obtain ILR earlier in our circumstances?

No.