5 year partner rule confusion?

[gracegrace_g]

Applying for settlement

I have found this information from ukba website:

“New immigration rules that came into force on 9 July 2012 changed the length of time that family members must be in the UK before applying for settlement. This applies to partners of those who are British citizens, settled in the UK, in the UK with refugee leave or humanitarian protection, or here as a worker in a points-based category.

If you applied to come to the UK or for permission to stay here on or after 9 July 2012 and that permission was granted, you will need to be in the UK for 5 years before you qualify for settlement. You will initially be given leave to enter for 2 and a half years, and then you can apply for another period of 2 and a half years.”

My question is related to above paragraph, before that some background info:

I am on Tier 1(General) and going to complete the requirement of 5 years very soon. I got married before 3.5 years and my partner is living with me since then. The initial visa category of my spouse is Tier 1(General) Partner visa and then we applied together for Tier 1 (General) extension.

Question:
At the end of Tier 1(General), I will be able to complete 5 years, though my partner is with me only for almost 4 years as I have explained above. Do my partner qualify for settlement?

[wpilr_nov12]

Read http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=79378

Q0 and Q12

[gracegrace_g]

Read http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=79378

Q0 and Q12

It's superb! Thank you, I'd hv read tat b4 posting though