Extension or no extension - how confusing

Hi Forum,

My question is do I have to get a second extension to qualify for the 5 years period for ILR. Here are my time lines:

HSMP Visa stamped: 1 Jan 2008
Arrived in the UK: 10 Feb 2008
HSMP extendded till: 1 Jan 2013

Now on 10 Dec 2012, I will be 2 months short of the 5 year qualifying period for my visa category.

I was going through the guidance for form Set O on the UKBA website, and noticed that it says the following in the eligibility for ILR section (part 5) in the guidance here:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... o04091.pdf

"If you entered the UK with a visa several weeks or more after the date from which it was valid for use, you may need to apply for an extension of stay to complete the relevant qualifying period.
Please do not apply more than 28 days before completing the qualifying period. If you apply earlier than that, your application may be refused. If that happens, we will not refund the fee and you will have to pay again when reapplying."

This seems in absolute contrast to what is mentioned here:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... iew=Binary

Comments?

Please continue in the existing topic.