In this case, the spouse, fiancée or other dependent relative like the child should instead file for the “Tier 2-Dependent visa.”
Under this type of application, the applicant is not applying for settlement in the UK but merely to accompany or be with the PBS Tier 2 Visa holder for the duration of the latter’s employment.
ECO-Friendly explains that since there is no intention for the Tier 2 dependent visa applicant to settle, he or she is allowed to stay in the UK for merely a maximum period of three (3) years.
As in the case of applications for a UK Spouse Visa, UK Fiancée Visa, or any other UK Settlement Visa, the sponsor (in this case the Tier 2 Visa holder) of the Tier 2 dependent visa must show proof that he or she has the financial capacity to support the applicant.
Under the rules, the sponsor must show savings of at least £630 which should be available for the applicant's expenses while in the UK. This is on top of the £945 which the sponsor must possess to support himself in the UK.
One way of proving this is the main sponsor’s bank Statement of Accounts which shows savings of said amount for a period of at least ninety (90) days.
Thus, if we add £630 and £945, the sponsor must have a savings of at least £1,575 and this must not be touched for a period of ninety (90) days or three (3) months.
ECO-Friendly would like to stress that this requirement can be done away with if the sponsor’s employer is an “A-Rated” employer fully approved by the UKBA and said A-Rated employer issues a letter certifying that they will provide the funding for the applicant in the amount of £630 per dependent.
ECO-Friendly tip: if the main sponsor is about to file for the Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), it would be better for their dependents to just wait until the ILR is approved and issued so that they can now apply for the UK Settlement Visa.
As we all know, the UK Spouse Visa, UK Fiancée Visa, and other types of UK Settlement Visa allows the applicant to settle in the UK indefinitely instead of limiting the stay of the applicant to a mere three (3) years which is what the Tier 2 dependent visa holder will get once the visa is approved.