Can I count Business Visa period of ILR?

Hi Forumites,

I came to UK in August 2004 on Business Visa(C Visa). I worked in UK on business visa for 4 months and received Work Permit in January 2005.After which I am either on Work Permit or on HSMP.I am completing my 5 years in UK in August 2009.

My Question is:

1.Can I count 4 months of Business Visa towards my eligibitly for ILR?
If I count 4 months of Business visa, I will complete 5 years in UK in August 2009 and hence will be eligible for ILR.

Please advice.

Not if you are applying on the basis of Work Permit or HSMP or a combination of both. The minimum years of residence required is 5 years for any of the above - 5 years on a WP or a HSMP etc...

However, when applying for ILR after 10 years of legal stay, I believe stay on a visitors visa counts, as it still is legal stay.

Cheers.

chetanojha wrote:Hi Forumites,

I came to UK in August 2004 on Business Visa(C Visa). I worked in UK on business visa for 4 months and received Work Permit in January 2005.After which I am either on Work Permit or on HSMP.I am completing my 5 years in UK in August 2009.

My Question is:

1.Can I count 4 months of Business Visa towards my eligibitly for ILR?
If I count 4 months of Business visa, I will complete 5 years in UK in August 2009 and hence will be eligible for ILR.

Please advice.

As gorajim said you can not, also if you got your workpermit approved in Jan 2005? when did you actualy get your FLR on your passport? if i am not wrong you can apply for ILR 28 days before the date on your FLR and not the date you got your WP letter.