elr/wp lapse where to start?

hi everyone
please advise
first work permit 2001-made redundant after 12 months
second work permit 2002 {no gap between permits}
but left after 3 months [wont bore you]

since then stayed in same industry (qualified tradesman)as per wp but without wp
and have now been here 5 years?

i realise there are now problems regarding my stay here
1) what are my options/procedure step by step to sort out my status?

2) would my wife and children eligable to apply for elr in there own right?


thanks for the advice
uk

The main problem is that you are an illegal immigrant now. You have the following options as far as I can see:

* Try to find another job in the UK with an employer who is willing to sponsor a work permit for you, return to your home country and get them to file an out-of-country work permit application. The risks here are they that they might ask what you've been doing for the last 5 years AND of course if your application gets turned down you might struggle to get back into the UK

* Wait another 9 years and apply for indefinite leave to remain as an illegal immigrant under the 14 year rule.

Assuming your wife and children entered the UK as your dependents, then I'm afraid they would have become illegal immigrants as soon as you became one. If you manage to get a new work permit and entry clearence then they could always apply for entry clearence as your dependents too.