ILR eligibility after an HSMP and Tier 1 visa

[maxapple]

Hello,

I think I know the answer to this but am hoping to draw upon your experience and knowledge of all things ILR-related.

I'd like to apply for ILR in about three years but by then I will have been here under an HSMP/Tier 1 visa for four years and ten-and-a-half months, just shy of the required five years. Do you know if there is any leniency in the five-year requirement, or will I need to go through the rigmarole of having my visa extended again before applying for ILR?

Some background: the reason I'm here less than five years is there's a gap in the period between when my initial HSMP visa was issued (20 February 2008) and my entry to the UK (10 May 2008).

Thanks,
Max

[Markie]

Hello,

I think I know the answer to this but am hoping to draw upon your experience and knowledge of all things ILR-related.

I'd like to apply for ILR in about three years but by then I will have been here under an HSMP/Tier 1 visa for four years and ten-and-a-half months, just shy of the required five years. Do you know if there is any leniency in the five-year requirement, or will I need to go through the rigmarole of having my visa extended again before applying for ILR? none at all ot be honest...you have to extend 1 more time.

Some background: the reason I'm here less than five years is there's a gap in the period between when my initial HSMP visa was issued (20 February 2008) and my entry to the UK (10 May 2008).

Thanks,
Max