ILR advice

[deepakprab]

Hi all,

I would like your expert opinion on whether I qualify for ILR next year or if it is risky and I should just extend my Tier 1 (General) visa before April 6 2015 and try later.

Here is my situation:-
Applied for Tier 1 General on 11th July 2010.
Visa approved and valid from 22nd August 2010.
Entered UK on September 18th. I suppose the 90 days consession rule is satisfied here?

However I was still job hunting until I started work on Feb 1st 2011. In between I make 3 trips to UK from Norway (where I was living before moving to UK) to attend interviews.

Renewed for T1G for 3 years in August 2012, expires 22nd August 2015.


Details of absence from UK:-
Year 1: 2nd August 2015 - 3rd August 2014 -> 37
Year 2: 2nd August 2014 - 3rd August 2013 -> 39
Year 3: 2nd August 2013 - 3rd August 2012 -> 31
Year 4: 2nd August 2012 - 3rd August 2011 -> 13
Year 5: 2nd August 2011 - 3rd August 2010 -> 131

During Year 5 as mentioned I was job hunting and spent most of the 131 days in Norway before officially starting work in UK on 1st Feb 2011.
During Year 2 I was setting up my own software business after leaving work on June 14th 2013. I finally registered a limited company on 2nd May 2014.

For evidence of absence I can show employment letters (business trips and holidays while employed) and personal letters/emails (explaining my job hunt, process of setting up business and a short holiday of 6 days in September 2013 during the time I was setting up my business).

I have the minimum 75 points needed in self assessment.

Am I eligible for ILR based on the above information? Is there anything above that might risk the chances of ILR being denied?

Will the 6 days holiday when I wasn't officially working (or registered as self-employed) affect my ILR?
Will Year 5 with 131 days absence when I was still in Norway and job hunting in UK affect my chances?

Would it be safer to extend the T1G before April 2015 and then apply for ILR later (before April 2017)?

Thanks in advance to all the experts for taking the time to help me with my queries. Please let me know if I have missed out any other information.

[sudeepss]

Looks alright no need for any extension. Senior gurus may contradict if i am wrong

[deepakprab]

Thanks sudeepss. Senior gurus, please confirm. Thanks in advance.

[deepakprab]

Senior gurus, any updates on this?

[deepakprab]

I spoke to an immigration consultant who claims I won't qualify for ILR since it starts from the date of first employment, he recommends extending the Tier 1 visa first. This sounds fishy to me, has anyone had success stories with an initial 4-5 months gap before starting work in UK?