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Hi all,

I am looking to apply for ILR based on 10 year long residence in late May.

I had some clarifications on what I should fill in the form.

My summary of the leave I had is below:
T2 (child) April 2014- September 2015
T4 September 2015- October 2020
T2 October 2020- October 2022
SWV October 2022- January 2026

When I was on my T2 child I was still attending high school in India, my dad was working and residing in the UK at the time. I came to the UK in May 2014 for 3 weeks (to visit him) then went back to India, finished my school, applied for university in UK, got accepted, and entered the UK in mid June 2015 (still on the T2 visa) this time knowing I would actually be residing here moving forward. I stayed for 3 weeks, checked out my university then went back to India to pack up, apply for my T4 (I did not want to rely on my dad's job), say goodbye to family etc. I was then back in early September 2015 when I entered on my T4 visa not the (still valid) T2 child visa.

I already know the absence between 2014 and 2015 is too long and I am planning my application to rely on the June 2015 entry date for the start of my continuous residence period (will apply in late May, within the 28 day period).

When I fill the ILR form for the question of how long have you lived in the UK should I:

a) say 11 years 1 month (from April 2014) and then list the absences and explain them and make it clear I consider my continuous residence to start from June 2015

or

b) say 9 years 11 months (from June 2015) and list the absences from then onwards and not mention anything about the period before this

Thanks in advance for the help and advice.

Your answer on the form has NO relevance to the decision making at all and it does not affect your eligibility. Your eligibility is determined according to the rules and the 10 years is counted backwards from the date of ILR decision.

Read: Lawful and continuous residence changes to Long Residence route from 11 April 2024
More: Applicants can benefit from the date of the ILR decision

So basically doesn't matter either one is ok and I am overthinking it.

A couple more things:

I was let go from my SWV job on 30th Jan. I have since been interviewing and have some job options but since I am so close to the LR ILR I want to apply for that straight away instead of getting another SWV. (I've read all about using the timing to advantage thanks!)

I haven't received any curtailment letter yet. It seems to be common knowledge that as long as your visa is valid and not curtailed continuing to stay is legal but I was wondering exactly which part of the guidance/law/rules this is based on? Because technically if you are no longer working for the sponsor you are no longer compliant with the conditions of the visa?

Also, I know having a job isn't a requirement for LR ILR but explaining in a cover letter I have been interviewing and have an offer to start once I get the ILR would be good to do? (And make it clear I haven't breached the other conditions during this period by working for anybody else or claiming public funds.)

I haven't received any curtailment letter yet. It seems to be common knowledge that as long as your visa is valid and not curtailed continuing to stay is legal but I was wondering exactly which part of the guidance/law/rules this is based on? Because technically if you are no longer working for the sponsor you are no longer compliant with the conditions of the visa?

Incorrect. Your visa remains valid, meaning you will remain a lawful resident until the date the visa is curtailed to which will effectively be your new visa expiry (assuming if it ever happens). The conditions of your visa simply prevent you from working for any other sponsor

Also, I know having a job isn't a requirement for LR ILR but explaining in a cover letter I have been interviewing and have an offer to start once I get the ILR would be good to do? (And make it clear I haven't breached the other conditions during this period by working for anybody else or claiming public funds.)

You are overthinking. There is no requirement to be employed and there is no breach.

Makes sense, thank you. Unfortunately I overthink with everything, I am working on it.

Is there a recommendation to submit documents to prove residence like utility bills etc? I don't think it is specifically asked for in the document list.

There is no need to send such documents