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Hello,
I am a bno visa holder. My daughter is aged 16 now and she is my dependent. We moved to UK since 2022 and will be 5 years in 2027. My daughter would like to apply for ILR individually once she is 18 years old because her bno visa is valid for 5 years until 5th March 27 and the earliest date she can apply for ILR is 28 days before visa end date. However, there are less than 20 days for her to do the ILR submission as her 18th birthday is in mid February. Honestly, it is quite rush for her to apply for ILR. If she does not do so, she has to extend her visa for at least 2.5 years. So, my question is if it is possible for her to take English language test and life in Uk test before aged 18 so that she can get all documents ready and then do the submission before her visa expired? Much appreciated for your advice. Thanks so much!

BNO visa holders above 18 are expected to apply for ILR on their own. There are also no rules that say you need to apply 28 days before visa expiry or on any specific date at all. Visa expiry has no relevance to ILR. It is about ILR eligibility.

She will be eligible within 28 days of reaching the 5-year mark. The 5 year qualifying period counts from the date of the very first BNO visa being approved/issued. She can apply early and book the biometrics appointment within the 28-day mark. No need for an extension

Read: Applicants can benefit from the date of the ILR decision

Hi Zimba,

Thanks for your kind advice.
My concern is my daughter has to pass both English language and life in Uk test within 2-3 weeks. If she fails, then she has to retake tests which may cause delay in her ILR application. Additionally, she may have to prepare her A-Level exam at that moment. I don’t want her to be stressful so just wondering if she is able to take both tests when she is 17 years old. If so, would immigration accept her test results taken under 18 years old? Thanks!

She can take the tests at any time. There is no limit on how far back they can be done.

CR001, Thanks for your kind reply!