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Hi All,

Below given are my timelines
ICT Short Term : 29th Feb 2016 to 28th Feb 2017
Entered UK : 3rd Mar 2016
Left UK to my home country : 26th Feb 2017

CoS for ICT long term assigned on 14th Mar 2017 and application made on 15th Mar 2017
Entered UK with valid leave : 28th Mar 2017 and in UK since then, now on Skilled worker visa.

1. When will be the earliest i can apply under long residence route?
2. Should i have to add the days in spent outside UK (days between ICT short-term and long-term) to my 10 years to apply for visa?
i.e. Considering 28 days before we can apply for ILR, can i apply under 10 years route on 4th Feb 2026 or should i have to add the 28 days (1st Mar 2017 to 28 Mar 2017) to my 10 years so the earliest application date will be around 5th March 2026.

Please advise. Thanks.

1. Qualifying period is counted backwards from the date of decision
2. Yes, you should add that period as lawful residence too

I suggest reading the two posts below to understand the rules:

All you need to know about applying early, the application date, 28-day concession and more

Changes to the Long Residence settlement route from 11 April 2024

Thank you so much for the suggestions. So as per my query and you answer for question no. 2, my earliest application date would be around 5th of Mar 2026. is my understanding correct?

No. How did you come up with that ?

I have entered UK on 3rd Mar 2016, so actually i'll be eligible from 4th Feb 2026(3rd Mar 2026-28 days). As i was in my home country for my visa renewal from short term to long term, i was without visa for 15 days and returned to UK with long term visa on 28th Mar 2017. So i have added those 28 days(1st March 2017 to 28th Mar 2017) to my period. So (3rd Mar 2026 + 28 days(my days at home country for renewal) - 28days(days before i can apply for ILR)). Hope that helps.

ashken83 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 06, 2026 2:20 pm

I have entered UK on 3rd Mar 2016, so actually i'll be eligible from 4th Feb 2026(3rd Mar 2026-28 days). As i was in my home country for my visa renewal from short term to long term, i was without visa for 15 days and returned to UK with long term visa on 28th Mar 2017. So i have added those 28 days(1st March 2017 to 28th Mar 2017) to my period. So (3rd Mar 2026 + 28 days(my days at home country for renewal) - 28days(days before i can apply for ILR)). Hope that helps.

Did you read my advice above ??
If you left the UK with a valid visa and returned within 6 months, then there is no gap.

READ item 3 --> Changes to the Long Residence settlement route from 11 April 2024

zimba wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 06, 2026 11:24 pm

ashken83 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 06, 2026 2:20 pm

I have entered UK on 3rd Mar 2016, so actually i'll be eligible from 4th Feb 2026(3rd Mar 2026-28 days). As i was in my home country for my visa renewal from short term to long term, i was without visa for 15 days and returned to UK with long term visa on 28th Mar 2017. So i have added those 28 days(1st March 2017 to 28th Mar 2017) to my period. So (3rd Mar 2026 + 28 days(my days at home country for renewal) - 28days(days before i can apply for ILR)). Hope that helps.

Did you read my advice above ??
If you left the UK with a valid visa and returned within 6 months, then there is no gap.

READ item 3 --> Changes to the Long Residence settlement route from 11 April 2024

Thanks again, So am eligible starting from 4th Feb 2026. hope thats right.