Can I apply for ILR before being in UK for 5 years?

[ZoeB]

Hi there, am hoping someone can help;

My ancestry visa started on the 01/03/2009 but I didn't actually arrive in the UK until the 04/04/2009.
So can I apply for ILR before my visa expires on the 01/03/2014, even though I haven't been in the UK for 5 years until the 04/04/2014?

Thanks in advance for your help,
Zoe

[Baleegh]

yes you can apply 28 days before your visa stamp date as you arrived in UK within 90 days of your 1st visa. There are many posts on this topic.

[ZoeB]

So I can count it from when my visa started, even though I wasn't actually in the UK, as long as I got here within 90 days of it starting?

Thanks so much for your help!

[Baleegh]

yes.

[ZoeB]

Thanks for your help!

[ZoeB]

Hi again,
Do you know if this is stated anywhere on their official website, as I can't see it anywhere?
Thanks,
Zoe

[Amber]

The period between entry clearance being issued and the applicant entering the UK may be
counted toward the qualifying period, as long as it does not exceed 90 days. This can occur
if the applicant is delayed travelling to the UK. Provided the period of delay does not exceed
90 days, it will not be counted as an absence.

[ZoeB]

Oh brilliant, thank you very much!