Date of arrival in UK when status approved in UK

[gc123]

Hi guys

I can't find anything on the forum about this and the UKBA guidance seems to assume this situation is not possible.

I was originally in the UK on a 2-year working holiday visa (doesn't count towards ILR/citizenship) then changed to Highly Skilled Migrant Permit in July 2005. In-country HSMP applications were allowed at that time.

Am I correct to assume that my "date of arrival" for naturalisation purposes was [b]the day my HSMP visa was issued[/b], rather than the next time after that when I arrived in the UK (following a short holiday)? I don't think coming back to the UK from a holiday was relevant.

Thanks for any advice.

[Backer]

Since it was an "in country" application I don't see why the next travel is relevant. It should be like any other in-country visa extension and/or change so I beleive the day that counts is what appears on your passport or what appears in the documentation you recieved when your status was changed to HSMP

[geriatrix]

Legal stay in the UK under any immigration category (including visitor) may be included in the qualifying residential period for the purpose of naturalisation.

See also Annex B: The residence requirements


regards

[gc123]

Thanks both. I guess I will use the date of HSMP issuance (I think I did this for ILR) but the UKBA guidance clearly implies an "arrival":

Enter the day you first arrived with a view to staying in the UK on a long-term basis, and the airport or seaport through which you then entered.