ILR Covid exception

Hello All,

I Entered UK in April 2019 on ICT dependent visa.

I got Tier 2 General Visa in March 2020 but my return flight was cancelled on 23rd March due to Covid restrictions.

I am unable to travel with in 30 days of visa expiry in the passport.

As per home instructions, I have applied for visa stamping in July and the passport received in Sep.

Visa stamping date is 25th Aug, I booked a flight in Sep 2020 but I rescheduled to Oct because I tested Covid positive.

Entered in the UK: 05 Oct 2020

BRP valid from : 13-03-2020 till 18-03-2025

Do I need to extend the visa for another 6 months and apply for the ILR to avoid rejections or I am eligibility to apply ILR in March 2025.

I am very confused when to apply for the ILR, your help is greatly appreciated, please suggest.

Thanks,
Vamsi

You will be eligible around 15-02-2025 which is within 28 days of completing your 5 years. You have an absence period of more than 180 days but you should be able to ask for discretion due to Covid.

Thank you for your quick response.

We have so many people with similar case, do we have any options to request home office to share the guidelines for this case.

Discretion - do we need to follow any template to request for this.

There is no guideline or template. Just add a cover letter

Thanks Zimba for your response, sorry for coming back late.

My employer solicitor asking to extend the visa for 6 months and apply for ILR in July 2025 because he is considering second vignette which was issued on 20th Aug 2020.

BRP start date: 13th March 2020
EVISA start date: 20th Aug 2020, he is pointing to this and saying its little risky to apply and home office may reject as well.

Please advice here.

Thanks,
Vamsi

vamsi234360 wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 25, 2025 9:42 pm

My employer solicitor asking to extend the visa for 6 months and apply for ILR in July 2025 because he is considering second vignette which was issued on 20th Aug 2020.

Is it even possible to extend for just six months? If the solicitor is saying that, I would be very skeptical.

vamsi234360 wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 25, 2025 9:42 pm

Thanks Zimba for your response, sorry for coming back late.

My employer solicitor asking to extend the visa for 6 months and apply for ILR in July 2025 because he is considering second vignette which was issued on 20th Aug 2020.

BRP start date: 13th March 2020
EVISA start date: 20th Aug 2020, he is pointing to this and saying its little risky to apply and home office may reject as well.

Please advice here.

Thanks,
Vamsi

If you do not want to ask for discretion, then you can extend and apply later.

Thanks Zimba.