Need help about applying for ILR from 5yr Ancestry Visa

[NaimBava7]

Hey there,

Its been a tricky process getting this done, now I am wondering about the date of the appointment if it needs to be before my current visa expires or whether the act of me completing the application and paying the fee can suffice.

been in uk 5 years since: 9 Jan 2019
BRP Expires: 20th Dec, 2023
ILR Applied: today (14th Dec, 2023)

I was shocked to see the appointments also cost a fair bit of money and the next free one is after the 20th when my brp expires, I was hoping to clarify whether completing the form and paying the fee was the application done, or whether I have to also book and attend the appointment before my current visa expires.

Any help would be appreciated!

[CR001]

its been a tricky process getting this done, now I am wondering about the date of the appointment if it needs to be before my current visa expires or whether the act of me completing the application and paying the fee can suffice.

The relevant date of application that matters is the date you submit and pay online. The Biometric appointment is irrelevant to this and can be after visa expiry.

been in uk 5 years since: 9 Jan 2019
BRP Expires: 20th Dec, 2023
ILR Applied: today (14th Dec, 2023)

Your qualifying period starts from the date your initial visa was issued and not the date of entry to the UK.

I was shocked to see the appointments also cost a fair bit of money and the next free one is after the 20th when my brp expires, I was hoping to clarify whether completing the form and paying the fee was the application done, or whether I have to also book and attend the appointment before my current visa expires.

Fine to book appointment after visa expiry. It is only an appointment with a third party agency to enroll your biometrics. It is not an appointment with UKVI and the caseworkers.

[NaimBava7]

its been a tricky process getting this done, now I am wondering about the date of the appointment if it needs to be before my current visa expires or whether the act of me completing the application and paying the fee can suffice.

The relevant date of application that matters is the date you submit and pay online. The Biometric appointment is irrelevant to this and can be after visa expiry. \\ Thank you!! It has taken a lot of stress off my shoulders as I would rather do the free appointment in Manchester in 2 weeks.

been in uk 5 years since: 9 Jan 2019
BRP Expires: 20th Dec, 2023
ILR Applied: today (14th Dec, 2023)

Your qualifying period starts from the date your initial visa was issued and not the date of entry to the UK. \\ This confuses me as for ILR (on ancestry) the gov website says "When to apply
The earliest you can apply is 28 days before you’ve been in the UK for 5 years on your Ancestry visa. Your application may be refused if you apply earlier."

I was shocked to see the appointments also cost a fair bit of money and the next free one is after the 20th when my brp expires, I was hoping to clarify whether completing the form and paying the fee was the application done, or whether I have to also book and attend the appointment before my current visa expires.

Fine to book appointment after visa expiry. It is only an appointment with a third party agency to enroll your biometrics. It is not an appointment with UKVI and the caseworkers.

[CR001]

This confuses me as for ILR (on ancestry) the gov website says "When to apply
The earliest you can apply is 28 days before you’ve been in the UK for 5 years on your Ancestry visa. Your application may be refused if you apply earlier."

Yes, but your qualifying period starts from the date your visa was issued and the period between visa issue date and UK entry date is counted towards the absence limit.