ILR – Eligibility Date Confusion

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.

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.

Thank you very much for a very fast response!