ILR Application - June 2021. Please advice

[Zola]

All, apologies if any the below have been covered but would be good to get your thoughts (I am new to this awesome forum

Background - i) Tier 2 General Visa ii) My first BRP was issued on 16 July 2016 ( I got another job in 2018 and got another BRP) iii) i entered the UK on 06 August 2016 (22 days after the BRP was issued)

My Questions below:
1. Am I correct in assuming the earliest I can apply for the ILR is 17 June 2021? I.e. 5 years from the BRP issue date of 16 July 2016 would be 16 July 2021, 28 days before this would be 17 june 2021
2. General view on this forum seems that unless someone's case is more complicated, there is no need to hire solicitors. Any one has a favorable view around hiring a solicitor in my case? Mine is hopefully straight forward and I seem to meet the salary threshold, havent been outside the county for longer than is allowed etc.
3. English language requuirement - I went to an American US with an off shore campus (spend two years in the US and 2 years in the off shore campus). Would I still need to take the english language test? Also - I took the IELTS (C2 Level) test back in April 2016 and got the following: Listening:8.5, Reading: 8.5, Writing:8.0, Speaking: 8.0, Overal Bank Score: 8.5. Is this sufficient? Who would the best entity to contact to confirm this please? Happy to take the test if needed but dont want to do so if I have the necessary qualification
4. Assuming my application date is 17 June 2021, on the application website, once you start the application, can you save the resume it, send at a different date or does it have to be completed in one seating?

Thank you in advance,
Zola

[zimba]

1. Yes
2. Do not hire solicitors. They do not add any value when the application is straightforward
3. If you used the test before in a visa application and the test centre is still on the approved list, your old IELTS can be used again
4. Application date is the date you pay and submit it online. You may start an application, save/modify and only submit when ready

[Zola]

Thank you Zimba!

As an update, I got my ILR approval today (submitted my application on 18 August 2021 and applied for the 5 day priority service).

Can I kindly ask (and appologies if this isnt the right forum but can't seem to find the passport forum):

For the passport application after naturalization, what documents are required? I understand that one needs: i) your naturalisation or registration certificate ii) the passport you used to come into the UK or the foreign passport you’re included on

Anything else? If a birth certificate needed for the application?

Many thanks

[zimba]

The first passport application requires your naturalisation certificate and your current passport. All the names must match
Ask citizenship/passport queries here: british-citizenship/