ILR SET (M) - Dependant Residency Issue

[Krl25sc]

Me: British Citizen
Wife and two step-children (10 and 17): About to complete 5 years in UK on family visa

We are about to apply for ILR (super priority if available). For my wife and 10 year old, no issues. 17 year old though has been out of UK for last 18 months - he will come back for application process/biometrics and then intends to remain in UK.

We will provide GP letter for him as evidence he lives at our home address.

Question: Will his absence be an issue that will require further consideration of his application? Would it be better to split the applications - so my wife and 10 year old apply in one application and the 17 year old applies separately on another application (SET(O)). That way wife and 10 year old application gets approved quickly without issue and any delay is limited to 17 year old’s application. Or if all three applied on one application, would UKVI split the approvals i.e wife and 10 year old’s ILR granted and 17 year old’s ILR delayed until decision made on his situation.

Any insight appreciated. Thanks.

[zimba]

The family route has NO absence limits and children do NOT have any residence requirements at all. They settle when parents settle. I suggest for all to apply using one SET(M) application.

Note that if a child wants to apply separately, the appropriate form is form SET(F) and NOT form SET(O)