🇬🇧 Can I combine different visas for settlement?

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     By Natalia Andrews, OISC-accredited Immigration Adviser since 2008.




We are often asked about when to apply for settlement, ie Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Can Student visas be combined with a work visa ? Or with a Parter visa? Can a work visa be combined with a Dependant visa?  Can a Partner visa in 10-year route be combined with a visa in 5-year route, and so on.


The answer is always in the Rules. It’s not a matter of trying and hoping. The Rules for each category say what can be added. If a category has no “Settlement” section then it doesn’t lead to ILR at all. Examples : Student , Graduate, Youth Mobility.


A Spouse/Partner visa, based on relationship with a British citizen , cannot be combined with anything else (not even with a Fiancée visa). It has to be 5 years in the 5-year route. Or 10 years in the 10-year route. But not a combination! Although you can switch from the latter to the former but start “your” 5 years again.


A Skilled  Worker visa can be combined with Global Talent, Scale-up and some others , but not with Graduate or Student, which never count or lead to ILR (unless it’s on 10 years residence). 


A very common question is about Dependant visas. Such as Skilled Worker Dependant that’s issued to a partner of a sponsored worker. Can you combine 3 years as Dependant with 2 years as a Skilled Worker to get 5 years  ? No, you can’t. Main is main , dependent is dependent, they cannot be combined.


To discuss your options, please book a consultation with a lawyer here.


1st 4Immigration is one of the most experienced UK immigration law companies, OISC - accredited at the highest Level 3. We have been in business for over 10 years, our OISC reference is 200800152, in which 2008 stands for the year accreditation. Office: Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, London, EC2N 1HN. 

www.1st4immigration.com

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