Help -First Entry to UK

[landcruiser94]

Hello All,

I am applying based on Tier 1 general in a few days. However, I first entered the UK in September 2001 as a student. I have never had any gaps but I did have some lengthy absence in 2007 (working abroad) and because of this, I did not qualify for ILR application in September 2011 based on 10yrs long residency. Instead, i decided to wait until i qualified for ILR based on 5 years of Tier1 general. My confusion is with question 6.1 & 6.2 of the Set(O) application.

"when did you first enter the UK" - How do i answer this? Do i use the first date of entry in September 2001? If I do so, the next section 6.2 asks for all absences since entering the UK! Do i then proceed to list all absences since 2001 or since I got the Tier1 visa in 2009?

I am sooooo confused. Perhaps I will need to write a detailed cover letter stating my situation? Please help guys.Application in 2 days

Please help.

Thanks

L

[landcruiser94]

Also, there is the question in 7.11, how long have you lived in the UK?
How do i answer this? Do i calculate based on the date in 2001 or when i got the Tier1 visa in 2009

cheers!

L

[ferryahmed82]

Hi landcruiser94

You'll count the time from when you were first granted Tier 1 in 2009 (if that was in-country switching), or the date you first landed as Tier 1 holder if you arrive after 90 days, after your initial grant.

Also, for the question about how long you have lived in the UK, it will be the total time you are on the Tier 1 (presumably 4 years 11 months or more)

[neesh]

@ferryahmed82 - say if i entered UK after 80 days of my initial Tier-1 start date, how would i answer this question, "how long have you lived in the UK?" Do i calculate duration from the date i landed in the UK or from the start date of my first visa (given i entered before 90 days)?

[ferryahmed82]

@neesh

If you arrive within 90 days of your initial grant, then your 5 year counter starts from the initial date of stamping. So, you can apply for ILR based on 4 years 11 months from that date, and I believe the same duration will be mentioned in the app form, for the question 'how long you have lived'

seniors, correct me if I'm wrong.