Student visa with Workpermit - ILR clock start

[chetan]

Hi All,

I am a Tanzanian National currency on Workpermit.

I first arrived in UK on the 27th July 1997, was on student visa till Nov 2002 and have been on Workpermit since then.

My first Workpermit was approved on 12 Nov 2002 when I was on student visa (graduated in Nov 2002) and Leave to remain was issued on 08 Jan 2003.

My question is does ILR clock start from 12th Nov 2002 or 8th Jan 2003.

Kind Regards.

[Smit]

You may be eligible to apply for ILR immediately under the 10 years rule. Have you checked this out?

[sunnyday]

I think he is indeed eligible under the 10 years rule. But was there a 6 months break in between your student visa 2002 Nov and work permit 2003 Jan?

[chetan]

Thank you Smit & sunnyday for your replies,

I am aware that I can apply under the 10 year rule but I recently got married and my wife is in the UK as a Workpermit dependent, She is also a Tanzanian National, and there is not provision for dependents in the 10 years rule. I would like to apply for ILR after 5 years of Workpermit.

sunnyday, no there isnt a 6 month gap may be 4 months yes, in 2002 I was stuying one year MSc (Sept 2001 - Sept 2002) and graduation was in Nov 2002 and my student visa was valid till 31 Jan 2003. Please can you confirm this still counts as 6 months gap?

Kind Regards,
Chetan

[John]

I am aware that I can apply under the 10 year rule but I recently got married and my wife is in the UK as a Workpermit dependent, She is also a Tanzanian National, and there is not provision for dependents in the 10 years rule. I would like to apply for ILR after 5 years of Workpermit.

That is very good planning, and makes total sense.

Have you and your wife already passed the Life in the UK test, or have you both still got to study and pass that?

[chetan]

Hi John,

I have recently bought the life in the UK book and we'll be taking the test soon.