Hello,
I am currently here on a work permit visa and have been since 2006. I still have my job, but I'm thinking about moving to be a dependent on my husband's work permit because it will give me flexibility in seeking employment and the ability to do some consulting work as self-employed, which I understand that I cannot do as a employer sponsored work permit holder.
I have been told I have to return to my home country in order to apply to be his work permit dependent. Has this always been the case? I also want to confirm that in the (unlikely) event I am refused the work permit dependent visa, that I would keep my current visa? I'd hate to go do this and then for some reason not be able to return here, especially given I still have my job.
All of this is being done primarily so I can do small amounts of consulting (self-employment work). Is there any other way anyone would know of that I could do self-employment work without changing my current visa status? What if it were just a one-time self-employment contract totaling less than GBP 4,000? Anything else I should be taking into consideration when thinking this through?
Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated!