When does the 10-year qualifying period start

I'm in the process of preparing my application form for the 10 years ILR, and I am confused with some questions in the application form.

I've been in the UK for more than 10 years now and my visa history is:

1. Aug-2011 [1st time entered UK on Tier 4 (Child) Student visa] to Nov 2013
2. Nov-2013 to Oct 2016 Tier 4 visa
3. Oct-2016 to Dec 2017 Tier 4 visa
4. Dec-2017 to Nov 2018 Tier 4 visa
5. Nov-2018 till now Tier 2 visa

And I was away from UK between 05/07/2012 and 05/09/2012 (day returned to the UK).

I'd like to apply ILR on the 5th Sep 2022 (or some time around this date), cause my days of absence are within 540 days in 10 years period between 5th Sep 2012 and 5th Sep 2022.

In the application form, there is a question 'When did you first enter the UK' - This is the date you entered the UK when the period of stay you are basing this application on started. Can I enter the date as 05/09/2022?

'When did you first enter the UK' - This is the date you entered the UK when the period of stay you are basing this application on started.

No. This is the date of your very first entry to the UK. However the answer to this question has no effect on your eligibility. The caseworker uses the date that is appropriate to evaluate eligibility. You have been eligible for ILR since last August it seems

Hello,

I read online that the 10 years qualifying period starts from either:

1. when the individual legally arrived in the UK on a valid visa; or
2. when the individual was given permission to stay in the UK.

For 1, does it mean for example: if your previous visa was valid between Aug 2011 - Nov 2013, during this period, you can have multiple trips outside UK, and any arrival date during this period can be counted as 'legally arrived in the UK on a valid visa'? For example: you are away from UK on 1st July 2012 and return to the UK on 1st Sep 2012 (with entry stamp on your passport). Can you use the 1st Sep 2012 as the 10 years qualifying period start date?

Thanks.

ANY 10 year period of continuous lawful residence in the past can be used to qualify under the long residence.

Zimba wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 16, 2022 8:00 pm

'When did you first enter the UK' - This is the date you entered the UK when the period of stay you are basing this application on started.

No. This is the date of your very first entry to the UK. However the answer to this question has no effect on your eligibility. The caseworker uses the date that is appropriate to evaluate eligibility. You have been eligible for ILR since last August it seems

Thanks for the reply, yes I am eligible for ILR since August 2011, but if I count days of absences from Aug 2011 to Aug 2021, then my days of absence will be more than 540 days, that's why I would like to use the 5th Sep 2012 to 5th Sep 2022 period, do I need to write a cover letter to explain this?

No need. The caseworkers know the rules.

Zimba wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 16, 2022 8:11 pm

No need. The caseworkers know the rules.

Thank you so much for your help.