I am planning to apply for ILR and need some advise on same. MY current HSMP leave expires on Aug-2009 , but if possible I want to get the ILR now before HO decideds to change the rules again
) :1) My first confusion is on how they calculate the duration of stay as 5 years. My initial WP was made from Mar-2002 to Oct 2006. Here are durations of stay in UK :
July2002- Dec 2002 in UK. Then went back to India
Jul 2003--10-Jan-2004 in UK. Then went back to India. (Same employer).
21-Apr-2004 -- Came back in UK again with same employer, and been here since then with no long breaks except short holidays.
Apr-2006 --Changed employement. New employer got WP transferred , valid till 2009.
Changed Immigration Status to HSMP in Sep-2007.
Recently started Self-employment since Apr-2008.
If I consider period from Jul-2003 to Jul-2008, then it makes up to 5 years, but I am not sure if Home Office would consider the gap of 3 months and 11 days as a break in continuity. There is little chance that my previous company would give any sort of letters etc for that situaton.
2) Second questions is on what kind of documents would be required. Would I be required to produce the old WP? I am not sure if I kept that. I do have all the bank statements and salary slips. (Some the older salary slips are internet based,which I might have to get stamped from previous employer if they are willing to help).
3) Also , since I have started self-employment, so like others, I am taking very less salary and taking most of income as dividens. Is that going to be a problem? I can get try to get some letter from CA if required.
Any information/advise would be appreciated.
Cheers.
sb.