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Hi
I read so many posts here and gained a lot of information thanks to this forum fantastic members, specially Zimba, CR001, and AmazonianX.

Hopefully I won't ask redundant questions. I need your valuable advice on few specific questions.

1. I get from your posts that vignette date is the first date that I can count ILR from, but my vignette has two dates
a. issue date 05 March
b. entry clearance date 1 May
Which one should I use to count from ?

2. Inside the UK: I applied to switch my visa from skilled worker to dependent. Application submitted 20 June
and got approval decision 19 Aug ... Can I count the duration rom 20 June to 19 Aug inside my ILR continues duration under skilled worker ?

3. Inside UK: switching again from dependent to Skilled Worker .... Do I count the IRL valid duration from:
a. date of application submitted
b. date of biometric
c. date of decision / approval

4. Inside UK: for questions number 3, is it the same answer if the visa route GTV ?

Thank you so much in advance for your help and support.

Useful to post the full history, just during the year of each application.

Also useful to state what route to ILR you are considering, 5 year, 10 year etc.

CR001 wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 19, 2026 1:08 pm

Useful to post the full history, just during the year of each application.

Also useful to state what route to ILR you are considering, 5 year, 10 year etc.

Hi
Thank you CR001
The case is a bit long and complex, so I thought to save everyone reading a long post .... but of course more than happy to post...
My questions involves two cases (two persons)

Person 1: Skilled Route 5 years
Entered UK as dependent (for skilled worker) ... and later switched in 2022 to skilled worker
a. date of application submitted 15 June
b. date of biometric 20 June
c. date of decision / approval 29 Aug

= Question 1: What date of the above to use for ILR ?


Person 2: GTV route 3 years

Entered UK as Skilled Worker in 2021
Vignette date is the first date that I can count ILR from, as I learnt from you, but vignette has two dates
a. issue date 05 March
b. entry clearance date 1 May

= Question 2: Which one should I use to count from ?

Switched in 2023 to Dependent skilled worker
a. Application submitted 20 June
b. Approval decision 19 Aug

= Question 3: Can I count the duration from 20 June to 19 Aug inside my ILR continues duration under skilled worker ?


Now on dependent skilled worker, she is endorsed for GTV 3 years route and will apply. I understand the period spent on skilled worker can be added to the GTV route.
a. GTV application will be submitted 1 Feb 2026
b. date of biometric To be decided
c. date of decision / approval : Depending on your answer I will decide if I go with priority service (if it the

= Question 4 : ILR start counting from decision date) ... or normal 8 weeks of we start count from application submission date or biometric date.

I hope this came out clear ... I tried to be as organised as possible

Thank you for reading all this and your advise.

Just to clarify, you cannot combine dependent visa time with main visa time yo make up the 5 year residence requirement for ILR.

If she is a dependednt now, her ILR clock for GTV starts from date of approval of the GTV. There is no combining of skilled worker time as she doesn't CURRENTLY hold a main skilled worker visa.

Everytime you switch from skilled worker to depedent and vice versa, the 5 year ILR clock resets.

CR001 wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 19, 2026 2:56 pm

Just to clarify, you cannot combine dependent visa time with main visa time yo make up the 5 year residence requirement for ILR.

If she is a dependednt now, her ILR clock for GTV starts from date of approval of the GTV. There is no combining of skilled worker time as she doesn't CURRENTLY hold a main skilled worker visa.

Everytime you switch from skilled worker to depedent and vice versa, the 5 year ILR clock resets.

Oh!
For person 1: I am aware I can't combine dependent time to skilled worker or main visa.
And the question here is about what date to use ....
a. date of application submitted 15 June
b. date of biometric 20 June
c. date of decision / approval 29 Aug

For person 2: I was under impression I can add previous skilled worker main visa time to GTV time even if there is a period of dependent visa (not to be added) in between.
Oh! This is probably changes my entire calculation, it would be better the to remain dependent on this case, up to ILR (2 years left) ... but then, there is a risk of the new rules or losing of SWV status ....mmm GTV more secure.
Well, Thank you for that information ... it is critical.

For ILR, only time AFTER your initial visa approval can be counted. When you applied and when you enrolled your biometrics during your initial visa application is irrelevant.

Also make sure to read --> All you need to know about applying early, the application date, 28-day concession and more

Thank you both @CR001 and @Zimba