Should apply for FLR (M) or ILR?

[DavidY]

I don't know if I can apply for ILR.

August 2014 - Entered UK from USA on Fiance visa
October 2014 - Married
March 2015 - Received Spouse visa
September 2017 - Forget to renew spouse visa; applied through solicitor anyway and was refused
October 2017 - Flew back to states, applied for spouse visa and was approved
February 2018 - Entered UK
October 2020 - Visa expiring

Can I apply for ILR by adding up the time spent in UK (March 2015 to September 2017) + (February 2018 to October 2020), which is over 5 years?

In other words, will the 3-month gap spent in US (November 2017 - January 2018) prevent me from applying for ILR which then means that I must apply for FLR (M) again?

Thanks,

David

[vinny]

Unfortunately, I think the required continuous period may have been broken when you were an overstayer, was refused and had to apply for entry clearance.