Qualifying period and financial documents

Hello,

I’m planning to apply for ILR soon by myself and have a few questions regarding my eligibility (qualifying period) for ILR application and supporting documents.

I’ve been trying to contact UK Visas and Immigration but the contacts on the website is old.. I’d really appreciate if anyone could help and answers to these will benefit others.

Here’s my situation:

I’m a Tier 2 General visa holder. My first Tier 2 (3 years) was issued on 1/2/2015. Since 1/2/2020 marks the 5th anniversary of this date and I’m planning to apply for ILR this week given that the application can be made 28 days before. I’m currently with the extension of another 3 years (Tier 2) which expires in February 2021.

So questions:

1. My first Tier 2 was issued on 1/2/2015 but I entered the UK on 24/2/2015. I believe the qualifying period starts on the date of the visa issued. And the period between the visa issue date and the entrance date is counted as absence from the UK as long as the delay to entry doesn’t exceed 90 days?

2. My current visa expires in more than 1 year. Would this be a problem? I’d like to apply for ILR as soon as I fulfil the requirements

3. In the application form, I was asked to provide Home Office reference number. I don’t think I can find the old letters I received for previous visas. Is it fine if I leave it blank?

4. Regarding recent bank statement, does the statement need to be stamped or the statement I receive by post monthly would suffice?

5. Regarding recent payslip and bank statement, I believe ones issued in the latest month should be sufficient rather than several months?

I was able to find the relevant discussions to my questions except Q2, but there are mixed responses I guess because different routes to ILR have different requirements. I wanted to be really confident about my application because I hear that the fees are non-refundable.. - but is this true?? I’m going for the priority service which charges £3,000. Can’t believe I can possibly lose it just because of a mistake in application..

2. It will not be a problem as long as you meet 5 yrs (- 28 days) requirement on tier 2 visa. I've never seen a case on this forum where someone had issues due to 6th year of tier 2 visa. Do you have any links to such instance?

Thanks for the reply. I haven’t seen much discussion around 2. That’s why I wanted to doublecheck..