ILR – Eligibility Date Confusion

[andrew53993]

Hi everyone,

I am on skilled worker visa route, and soon will be eligible for ILR.

My very first Tier 2 visa start date (in passport visa sticker) was 26 September 2020.
My first entry to the UK as Tier 2 visa holder was on the 16 October 2020.

Since the first visa I changed my employer/visa and did a visa extension.

My current visa expiry date is 21 February 2026.

I have the following questions:
1. The earliest date I can submit an application for ILR is 28 August 2025 (28 days before 5 year anniversary of the first Tier 2 visa sticker start date) - is this correct?
2. What date should I write for this question in ILR application: "When did you first enter the UK?"
3. My current visa letter clearly says the following: "When your permission to stay ends If you want to stay in the UK after your current permission ends, you must make a new application: Before your current permission ends, and No more than 28 days before your current permission ends.".
Does it mean the earliest I can apply for ILR is actually 24 January 2026?

Thank you in advance for your help.

[CR001]

1. Correct yes.

2. The date you entered in October, as the quesrion asks.

3. No that isn't what it means. It is a generic text.

[andrew53993]

Thank you very much for a very fast response!