Only for queries regarding Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Please use the EU Settlement Scheme forum for queries about settled status under Appendix EU
Moderators: Casa, archigabe, CR001, push, JAJ, ca.funke, Amber, zimba, vinny, Obie, EUsmileWEallsmile, batleykhan, meself2, geriatrix, John, ChetanOjha
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Vishy1234
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by Vishy1234 » Tue Jan 21, 2025 3:50 pm
Hi.
I have a similar situation
Visa issued -19 Mar 2020 (Couldn't enter UK due to COVID restrictions)
Actual entry :03 Oct 2020
Days absent from UK- 198 days
Kept asking for clarity with Corona help desk. Received reply from them in July 2020 to reapply for entry clearance, got it on Sep 2020 and travelled to UK on 03 Oct 2020.
Does anyone know of a similar case and has Home office given any discretion? Any help on this would be much appreciated.
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zimba
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by zimba » Tue Jan 21, 2025 4:01 pm
DO NOT tag your query on other topics.
The advice remains the same. Any discretion is up to the UKVI and is decided on a case by case basis
Advice is given based on my personal research and experience only. Do NOT contact me via private message for immigration advice
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Vishy1234
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by Vishy1234 » Tue Feb 11, 2025 1:50 pm
Hello,
I need guidance on when would be I eligible to apply for ILR, below are my details.
Visa Type- Skilled Worker Visa (Formerly Tier 2 General)
Visa & Entry Vignette issued (valid for 1 month) -19 Mar 2020
Couldn't enter UK due to COVID restrictions, kept asking Home office Corona helpdesk for issuing new entry vignette between Apr 2020 to Jul 2020)
Received response from Helpdesk to submit passport for re issuing Entry Vignette- 30 Jul
Submitted Passport for re issue at Visa centre- 31 Jul
Entry Vignette re-issued- 19 Aug 2020, received in hand on 10th Sep 2020
Entry to UK :03 Oct 2020
Days between first Visa issue and entry to UK- 198 days (180 days allowed)[/list]
Query- Can I make an application for ILR after 20th Feb 2025, and Home Office will be able to consider making exception as the delay in entering UK was due to travel restrictions due to Covid?
Any help in answering above query with some references of similar cases would me much appreciated. Thank you
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CR001
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by CR001 » Tue Feb 11, 2025 2:14 pm
zimba wrote: ↑Tue Jan 21, 2025 4:01 pm
Any discretion is up to the UKVI and is decided on a case by case basis
Char (CR001 not Casa)
In life you cannot press the Backspace button!!
Please DO NOT send me a PM for immigration advice. I reserve the right to ignore the PM and not respond.
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Vishy1234
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by Vishy1234 » Tue Feb 11, 2025 2:37 pm
"Thank you for your responses!
I’ve been weighing the options, and if there are any success stories or cases with a similar situation, they would really help in making my decision to apply. As you can appreciate, there is fairly high fees involved, so any additional insights would be greatly appreciated.
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zimba
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by zimba » Tue Feb 11, 2025 2:46 pm
This is your call. The absences are just above 180 days limit so discretion is possible but again this is up to the UKVI
Advice is given based on my personal research and experience only. Do NOT contact me via private message for immigration advice
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Vamsi360
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by Vamsi360 » Sun Feb 16, 2025 6:08 pm
@ Vishy1234 Please post the respone from UKVI if you apply for ILR in this month. Thanks Vamsi
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Vishy1234
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by Vishy1234 » Mon Mar 17, 2025 2:33 pm
Hi All,
I’m happy to share that my ILR application has been approved! A big thank you to @zimba for providing invaluable advice and support.
I hope this confirmation is helpful to those who are currently in or have been in a similar situation. I worked with a legal adviser to prepare my case, as it required some concessions. However, the decision to seek professional help depends on the complexity of your individual case.
Regards
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zimba
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by zimba » Mon Mar 17, 2025 5:44 pm
Congratulations

Advice is given based on my personal research and experience only. Do NOT contact me via private message for immigration advice
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vamsi234360
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by vamsi234360 » Tue Mar 18, 2025 10:59 am
Vishy1234 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 17, 2025 2:33 pm
Hi All,
I’m happy to share that my ILR application has been approved! A big thank you to @zimba for providing invaluable advice and support.
I hope this confirmation is helpful to those who are currently in or have been in a similar situation. I worked with a legal adviser to prepare my case, as it required some concessions. However, the decision to seek professional help depends on the complexity of your individual case.
Regards
Congratulations. I am in exactly same situation, Did home office asked additional documents like concessions? or legal adviser prepared it. if it is not sensitive, can you please share the concessions applied in your case which will help me. Thanks Vamsi.
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arjun0588
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by arjun0588 » Thu Apr 17, 2025 5:19 pm
Vishy1234 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 17, 2025 2:33 pm
Hi All,
I’m happy to share that my ILR application has been approved! A big thank you to @zimba for providing invaluable advice and support.
I hope this confirmation is helpful to those who are currently in or have been in a similar situation. I worked with a legal adviser to prepare my case, as it required some concessions. However, the decision to seek professional help depends on the complexity of your individual case.
Regards
Hi Vishy1234,
Would you be able to help me with the solicitor details who helped with your ILR filing?
I am exactly in the same situation.
Regards
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CR001
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by CR001 » Thu Apr 17, 2025 5:31 pm
arjun0588 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 17, 2025 5:19 pm
Vishy1234 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 17, 2025 2:33 pm
Hi All,
I’m happy to share that my ILR application has been approved! A big thank you to @zimba for providing invaluable advice and support.
I hope this confirmation is helpful to those who are currently in or have been in a similar situation. I worked with a legal adviser to prepare my case, as it required some concessions. However, the decision to seek professional help depends on the complexity of your individual case.
Regards
Hi Vishy1234,
Would you be able to help me with the solicitor details who helped with your ILR filing?
I am exactly in the same situation.
Regards
Members are NOT permitted to post names and details of solicitors. Do not ask for such information, it will be removed.
Char (CR001 not Casa)
In life you cannot press the Backspace button!!
Please DO NOT send me a PM for immigration advice. I reserve the right to ignore the PM and not respond.