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Hi Experts,

I would appreciate some advice regarding the earliest possible ILR application date for my partner and children.

My current situation:

I currently hold ILR and I am planning to apply for British citizenship (naturalisation) next week.
My partner has been living in the UK since 2017. She was initially in the UK as a Skilled Worker main applicant and later switched to a Skilled Worker dependant visa in 2021.

Her dependant visa application timeline:

- Application submitted: 26 October 2021
- Biometric appointment/submission: 27 October 2021
- Approval received / visa start date shown on BRP: 4 November 2021

Could someone please confirm:

1. Is my understanding correct that the Skilled Worker main applicant period before switching to dependant cannot be counted towards the 5-year ILR qualifying period as a dependant?

2. For the dependant ILR qualifying period, which date should be considered as the start date — the dependant visa application submission date (26 October 2021), biometric date (27 October 2021), or the visa approval/start date (4 November 2021)? Based on this, what would be the earliest date my partner and children could submit their ILR applications?

Any guidance or references to the Immigration Rules would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

1. Correct. She can only count dependent visa time for ILR based on 5 years residence.

2. 4th Nov is the start date, and then minus 28 days is the earliest she should apply.