ILR from tier two, travel before employment starts

[saadhussein87]

Hello Everybody,

I am currently preparing my ILR application and have a query; prior to the start of my job which sponsored me for the tier 2 I was a PhD student on a tier 4 visa. I have remained in the UK for the application but left for a one week holiday between the date of the tier 2 issue and the date of the employment starting. Can I still count the 5 years from the date of visa issue? how should I justify this trip in the absence list (e.g. should I ask my employer to acknowledge this)?

Many Thanks

[zimba]

ILR counts from visa issue date.

[saadhussein87]

Thank you for your kind and quick reply, your help to others is really amazing. I was wondering if you also knew if I would need my employer to justify this trip (although I would doubt they will since it was before I started work) or if I can justify it myself? Many Thanks again

[zimba]

No. It simply counts towards the min 180 days but no justification is required

[saadhussein87]

Thank you again