Exceptional Leave to Remain (ELR) not Discretionary Leave.

Came into the UK March 2003 as asylum seeker, granted 2 years ELR until my 18 birthday, asylum refused. Send for extension of my ELR a month before the expiry, has not got any reply, though was told my ELR still valid until decision is reached.
Now more than 4 years here, my question is:
1. Can I apply for ILR? and if yes when? and under what circumstance?
or
2. Should I wait for the Legacy case exercise
Please help, really confuse.

Could you help with websites that can help.
Also anybody got any idea of the question in the legacy case questionnaire.
BIG THANKS TO ALL IN ADVANCE.

Hi. What country are you from? There is little chance of people being returned to certain countries, so waiting for the Legacy case exercise may be a good policy. As you say, your existing leave reamins in force until a decision is made, you are allowed to work or claim benefits.

You cannot apply to be considered as a legacy case unless there are very exceptional circumstances; you will simply have to wait for your turn (could be a long wait).

As I understand it, you have no particular grounds for applying for ILR. A more realistic option might be a fresh claim for asylum using substantial new evidence that was not available at the time. Not sure how this would affect your current application and status, you need to get further advice.

For info about the legacy case exercise try
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/applyi ... gammefaqs/

and http://www.ncadc.org.uk/archives/filed% ... gacy2.html

When was your 18th birthday? Where are you from?

18th birthday was november 11 2004.

So your application has been outstanding nearly 2 years?

I'd take professional advice on this one.

Took professional advice, was told just wait. What do you think?

What do you think?

I think you should answer the question two different people have asked you! Which country are you from?