Immigrationboards.com

I arrived in the UK in 2014(Tier 4 visa), completed my A-levels, and was preparing to begin a course in January 2016. However, my visa expired in November, prompting me to leave the country a day before its expiration. Upon returning home, I intended to gather necessary documents requested by my university and then apply to visa. Unfortunately, my plans were disrupted by a coup in my home country, leading to widespread instability and hindering access to essential governmental documents required by the university.

I can provide evidence of my university offer and the documents awaited by the institution. Additionally, I can substantiate the impact of the coup on governmental operations, which delayed my document procurement. Consequently, I was compelled to defer my offer and ultimately commenced studies at the same university a year later.

If I don't apply now then I have to wait till 2027 (3 years later)

I know that It is a complex case and I might lose my money but is there a chance discretion will be applied in my case considering that the circumstances preventing my course commencement in January 2016 were beyond my control.

Also, is it recommended to use priority/super priority service (i,e I know I will unlikely get a reply within days for complex cases but will I get a reply significantly faster than a normal application).

Speak to an immigration advisor, it will be much cheaper (£100-150) than wasting £4k (ILR + priority) on most likely an unsuccessful application.

Any discretion is up to the UKVI but under the long residence route, discretion is exercised rarely. The only way to find out is to apply and see. Advisors and lawyers cannot give you any reassurance beyond this either I am afraid