Do you need to have been in the UK exactly 5yrs before app?

[Pipistix]

Hi all, I have had a read through the guidance etc & can't find a reference to my specific query & wondering if anyone on the forum has any insights .

Essentially I am applying after 6years of being on the tier 1/hsmp general visa. I spent 6months consecutively out of the uk 2008-march 2009. I would like to Apply ASAP for the visa, and wondering if I can start the qualifying period in January 2009 ( when I was out of the uk but had "entered" the uk under hsmp in 2007). Ie can you start your app Period midway through an absence from the uk?

Thanks in advance for your time. Best

[sagareva]

yes you can

you may have heard about having to be in the UK on the start of the qualifying period, but that applies only to naturalisation, not to ILR

[UKBALoveStory]

Hi all, I have had a read through the guidance etc & can't find a reference to my specific query & wondering if anyone on the forum has any insights .

Essentially I am applying after 6years of being on the tier 1/hsmp general visa. I spent 6months consecutively out of the uk 2008-march 2009. I would like to Apply ASAP for the visa, and wondering if I can start the qualifying period in January 2009 ( when I was out of the uk but had "entered" the uk under hsmp in 2007). Ie can you start your app Period midway through an absence from the uk?

Thanks in advance for your time. Best

It depends upon your circumstances. I have a same question but still got no answer with concrete UKBA rules/links.

You may or may not be able to include you absences. List your absences here and some senior member will answer you question.

[Pipistix]

Thanks to you both for your replies. It seems I should be able to apply despite the start of my qualifying period being an absence. Fingers crossed!

I found that the same day appointments weren't too hard to get, I thought they were meant to be really tricky to get.

[UKBALoveStory]

Thanks to you both for your replies. It seems I should be able to apply despite the start of my qualifying period being an absence. Fingers crossed!

Please share your experience if and when you decide to go for PEO.

I found that the same day appointments weren't too hard to get, I thought they were meant to be really tricky to get.

It is bcz now you have to pay in advance full fee for application