Can I apply for ILR in Feb 2015?

[lawabidingimmigrant]

Pls review my case and help clarify if I can apply for an ILR on or after Feb 2015 & if I can go ahead & book Life in the UK test soon?

Appreciate if you can take a look at this. Sorry for a bit lengthy post.


Page 22/31 - Guidance –ILR – calculating continuous period in the UK – v11.0 Valid from 23 January 2014

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... eriods.pdf

"Where an applicant’s continuous residence period includes time spent as a Tier 2 migrant or
a work permit holder, annual leave includes a short holiday taken on conclusion of
employment, where the applicant applied to work for a new employer within 60 days of the
conclusion of the previous employment. "


Visa status:
-------------

Tier 2 (General): Applied 09-03-2010 (Out of country)
Visa granted: 22-03-2010 to 30-04-2011
Arrived in UK: 27-03-2010
In country extension: Till 30-04-2013
Extension approved: Tier 2 Leave to Remain


Resigned from existing job
--------------------------

Got new job offer while in the UK.
Last day with original sponsor: 21-10-11
Travelled outside UK to home country: 01-11-11

Purpose of travel:

1. Exit formalities with original sponsor (Return laptop, exit interview, collect experience letter, settle dues),
2. out of country change of employment,
3. short holiday to spend time with family before taking up new job.


Travel to home country: Paid by original sponsor
Travel back to UK: Paid by new sponsor
Existing Tier 2 leave curtailed to: 18-02-2012


Out of country change of employment during curtailment period:
--------------------------------------------------------------

New restricted CoS assigned: 15-12-2011
Tier 2 (General) application lodged: 21-12-2011
Tier 2 (General) granted: 17-01-2012 to 03-02-2015
Original work start date as in CoS: 03-01-12
Actual joining date with new employer: 13-02-12 (Joining delayed as visa was granted on 17-01-12 & next available joining date was 13-02-12 due to internal project alignments)
Re-entered UK: 11-02-2012 (Arrived 7 days before existing Tier 2 leave got curtailment date 18-02-2012)
Resumed work from 13-02-2012

Extensions on new Tier 2 visa:
-----------------------------

Granted 3 year Tier 2 extension till 16-01-2018


Absence details:
=================

Year 1 --- 7 days
Year 2 --- 126 days
Year 3 --- 26 days
Year 4 --- 24 days
Year 5 --- 16 days


Total absence in 5 years = 199 days

[argus7]

Granted 3 year Tier 2 extension till 16-01-2018

When was this granted??????

[lawabidingimmigrant]

07-11-2014.

Pls advise if the continuous period is maintained for ILR eligibility.

I can then plan on taking up Life in the UK test & book a slot.

I did consult an immigration rep who was positive on my case for ILR but for peace of mind I would welcome experienced opinions from experts on the forum.

Many thanks in advance.

[fielddrive]

what was your longest absence in one day? how many days?

[lawabidingimmigrant]

Longest absence was of 101 days when I travelled to home country & completed the exit formalities with original sponsor & then applied for Tier 2 (General) visa using restricted CoS from new Sponsor.

My original joining date with new sponsor was 03-Jan-2012 but had to be revised to 13-02-14 as visa was granted on 17-01-12. I arrived back in the UK on 11-02-12 well before the curtailment date 18-02-12.

[lawabidingimmigrant]

Hi, can anyone confirm if the continuity period for ILR eligibility in Feb 2015 is still intact & if I am good to go for Life in the UK test in few weeks time?

Any help much appreciated. Thanks for looking.

[fielddrive]

from what you are telling it does seem likely that you have not broken continuous residence and you have always had valid leave to enter or remain in the UK when going out or coming back to the UK

[lawabidingimmigrant]

Thanks, hope I can now confidently start preparing for LIUK test & book a slot in a few weeks time.

[lawabidingimmigrant]

Guys, going for the LIUK test in less than a week from now, any last minute tips from those who recently cleared the exam to help pass the exam smoothly? Thanks in advance.

[lawabidingimmigrant]

Passed LIUK test.

Reached exam centre 10 mins before the scheduled time, ID (BRP) & postcode proof (driving license) verified & then given a token number.

Stuffed all the personal belongings in the locker room, finished the test, got the printed copy of pass notification letter & was out of the test centre in no time.

It all went very smoothly.

Over the next few weeks will be preparing all the paperwork to apply for my ILR.

[lawabidingimmigrant]

All, just a quick update. ILR got approved. Was pleasantly surprised as overall time required was about 40 mins only & I was out with the approval letter.

Will post more updates with details in the ILR thread later once I receive the BRP.

Thanks a ton Manci & everyone for patiently addressing all the queries. Much much appreciated.