Tier 2 to ILR 5 years calculation start date

[pp0583]

Hi all,

This is my very first post of this forum. I would start by saying that I have gained lot of insight from this forum and am very thankful to all contributors.

Question:
I am on Tier 2 General Visa and would be eligible for ILR in few months time. I have a gap of 2 months between first Visa issue date and date of first entry into UK. My dilemma is regarding the start date to use for the 5 years calculation. Is it the first Visa issue date or the date of first entry into UK?

I have read numerous posts on this forum confirming that it is the first Visa stamp date, however I am yet to come across someone who applied ILR based on this and successfully got it. If anyone has applied for ILR based on 5 year calculation from first Visa stamp date can confirm it is safe to go with this option, it would be really helpful for me to take a decision based on this.

Also if opting to apply ILR based on the above criteria is there any extra documentation that is required to be provided with the application for the gap?

[CR001]

Visa stamp date.

Many have applied and been successful.

The gap will form part of the 180 allowable absence per 12 month period.

[pp0583]

Thanks a lot CR001. Is there any extra documentation I need to provide for applying based on Visa stamp date?

[CR001]

No.