Tier 2 to ILR Application Guidance and Dependent Questions

My 5th Anniversary on Tier 2 General Visa was 01 May 2020. I have following Questions for my ILR application and my spouse visa (mentioned at end) where I am looking assistance from experienced members here. Thanks for considering my request and your time.

A brief background,
• Entered UK on 02/06/2011 on Tier 4 Student Visa where expiry was 31/10/2013
• Granted another Tier-4 Student Visa issued on 08/11/2013 to 23/06/2015
• Switched to Tier-2 General Work Visa issued on 23/04/2015 to 14/05/2018
• Tier-2 Extension applied in May 2018 but delayed due to further checks and issued visa on 14/09/2018 to 23/04/2021
• Passed Life in UK Test on 04/06/2020
• During student visa, I visited Pakistan once and during Work Visa I visited Pakistan 3 times and once Canada. My absences as a whole are less 180 days.

My qualification periods for ILR started from 23/04/2015 onward or let’s say from 01/05/2015 as Employment start date. I became eligible for ILR in May 2020 (to keep it simple, I understand 28 days period).

Following are the areas where I am confused while completing application form and need expert advice please.

Q-1 When did you first enter the UK?(Required)
This is the date you entered the UK when the period of stay you are basing this application on started.
First enter 02 June 2011 but Tier 2 Visa Issue date & Place: 23-04-2015 UK (I guess answer will be 23/04/2015)


Q-2 Since you first entered the UK, have you had any absences from the UK?
Shall I start from 02/06/2011 which was Tier 4 or 23/04/2015 when Tier 2 granted?


Q-3 Have you previously lived in a country outside the UK including your country of birth?
Since birth till 01 June 2011, I was in Pakistan, and then from 02/06/2011, I entered UK on Tier 4 Student Visa up until 23/04/2015 when my status was changed from Tier 4 to Tier 2 General Visa. Then in September 2019 I visited Canada for 1 week.
Do I need to mention everything in Chorological order from birth or only while Tier 2 General migrant? Also do I need to mention period of stay in UK or only when was staying out of UK

Q-4 Finally, my Wife joined me on 01/12/2017 as Tier-2 Dependent. Her Current Leave to stay is also valid until 23/04/2021. Do I also need to apply for her along with my ILR application or wait until expiry date and then apply extension?

1. 2011
2. There is no point in declaring absences for more than 5 years
3. It simply says countries you LIVED in NOT visited. That question is not important at all
4. Your wife does not need to apply. Her visa remains valid

Zimba wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 01, 2020 4:34 pm

1. 2011 As explanation says PERIOD OF STAY YOU ARE BASING THIS APPLICATION ON, so my application is based on Tier 2 Visa which is 23/04/2015 not Tier 4 which was 2011
2. There is no point in declaring absences for more than 5 years. Agreed. Thank YOU
3. It simply says countries you LIVED in NOT visited. That question is not important at all. Then What will be the answer? Is there any guidance which define what period deemed as Visit or Live ?
4. Your wife does not need to apply. Her visa remains valid. Agreed. Thanks

Thanks for the prompt response.

With reference to this Question,

Have you previously lived in a country outside the UK including your country of birth?

If I am to click and add a country, the message showing is like this,

ADD ANOTHER COUNTRY THE APPLICANT HAS VISITED OR LIVED IN

So isn't it certain that I am supposed to add all countries outside UK, I have been to.

You are overthinking this. None of those questions matter. Your eligibility has nothing to do with the answers to those questions, it is based on the rules.