ILR Eligibility Date

My spouse will be eligible to apply for ILR in Mar 2024(Tier 2 general+ Skilled worker). His UK entry date 29 Mar 2019 but joined the employer on 27 May 2019. Before joining the employer he went outside UK(Hongkong in April 2019) for 7 days due to personal reason.
My queries are:
1. At the time of ILR submission, what evidence do we need to submit for this absence outside UK?( He cannot get letter from employer because he haven't joined yet with them at that point)
2. Which is the eligible date for applying ILR: "UK Entry Date" or "Employer Joining Date"?

Thanks Reena

1. No evidence is needed.
2. Neither. It is the first visa approval date

Thank you so much Zimba for the response.
To follow up on point 1: If I submit self declaration letter( with reason as personal trip) would that be good idea( just incase to avoid case officer raising any query).
1a) Any chance will they dig details on the personal reason(to share evidences) as well, if I mention it in the self-declaration letter?
Please suggest.

There is no need to provide anything as advised. You do not need to do anything. There are no rules that require you to provide such details at all

Thank you Zimba for the confirmation.
Incase if case officer raises any query for no supporting document for point 1, then what should be my response(sorry if Im overthinking but trying to be prepared)

Reena456 wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 20, 2023 10:26 pm

Thank you Zimba for the confirmation.
Incase if case officer raises any query for no supporting document for point 1, then what should be my response(sorry if Im overthinking but trying to be prepared)

Such a query will not be raised because there is no basis for it in the rules. It is a common misconception that all UK absences must be justified BUT as per the rules only absences from WORK must be covered. When not employed, absences do not need to be justified. They simply are counted towards the 180-day limit.

See: indefinite-leave-to-remain/potential-br ... l#p2135080

Thanks Zimba for the clarification. Much appreciated!

Hi, Can someone confirm which date to consider for ILR eligibility:
When applying for ILR, should I consider the date stamped on my UK immigration arrival, which is 29 Sep 2019, or the issue date on my BRP card, which is 27 Sep 2019, as the starting point for the 28-day qualifying period? Thanks!

Topics merged.

You were already advised in December 2023 that your qualifying period starts with the initial visa approval/start date!

zimba wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 20, 2023 1:07 pm

1. No evidence is needed.
2. Neither. It is the first visa approval date

Sorry CR001, so it was not clear to me what is referred as ' It is the first visa approval date'.
I could only see these dates on the visa (valid from 20/09/19. valid until 20/10/19).
Would you confirm on this.Thanks!

Yes, initial visa start date!

Thank you CR001!