Long residency starts with visitor visa

[nashm21]

Hi,

approximately 10 years ago I came to the UK to visit my sister and research about UK education system. I was in the UK as a visitor for 20 days on a six month multi entry visitor visa (Type C) I enterd uk on 25th dcember 2007 and left the country on 14th january 2008. 107 days later after my initial visit I came to the UK with Tier 4 student visa. the visa was granted on 20 april 2008 and I entered uk on 30 april 2008 and since then I have had very few absences and all my visa applications have been approved on time.

NOTE: My visitor visa was still valid when I left because it was a six months and multi entry visa. I applied for Tier 4 visa about 90 days after I left the UK. Visitor visa was still valid when I came to the UK with Tier 4 visa.

My question is when does my long residency starts? from my initial visit or when I entered the UK with a Tier 4 visa? I very much prefer to apply as early as possible so I really appreciate if you guys can confirm If I can count my stay on visitor visa as well.

Thank you.

[iworker]

all visas count towards 10 years stay.
So unless the days out of uk (when u went out to apply for t4), take you over the limit of allowed within 10 years, u should be able to apply for ilr 28 days before 25 dec.