Tier 1(G) to FLR(M) ? Makes sense in my scenario?

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Hi,

I have received ILR few months back.

My wife is currently in UK on her own Tier 1(G) visa and has never been my dependent, though we have been staying together in UK for more than 2.5 years. This Tier 1 visa of my wife is due for extention in Mar 2012. Luckily, currently she is earning enough to make it through thresholds for her upcoming renewal in March.

Unfortunately, immigration rules mean that she cannot get an ILR now since she was never my dependent. She will first have to get Marriage visa for 2 years and then she can get ILR.

So, it is basically as follows:
1) She becomes my dependent, gets full ILR in 2 years
2) She continues on her Tier 1, gets full ILR in 2 yrs 3 months

For both scenarios, we spend almost equal £££££ at PEO.

So is there any sense in her becoming my dependent?

Our major concern is job market. Recruitment agents, from my experience, are reluctant to forward applications from dependent visa holders. On the other hand, job market being what it is, if she gets out of work during last few months of her visa renewal, it messes up whole renewal process.

Secondly, with rules for all categories changing all the time, no idea what is safer? Cameron's government obviously wants to crack down on us skilled migrants and is separately cracking on dependents as well.

So, we are confused which is the safer way to go? Switch to Spouse visa for her or continue with Tier 1?

What do experts advise?

Thanks,
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