I'M I ELIGIBLE FOR ILR

[monsieurkane]

I arrived in this country in dec 2002 and claimed asylum at the first opportunity on the 30th December 2002. I was granted ELR valid until my 18th birthday (02/03/2004) in February 2003. We submitted an appeal against the decision not to grant me refugee status. The case went all the way to the high court and in the end I was granted refugee status in Feb 2007.

While the case was going on from court to court, we submitted an application to extend my ELR on time.

By the time I was granted refugee status the rules had changed after the 7/7 tragedy. Meaning my refugee status is valid for 5 years rather than being an ILR.

My question is: is someone in my situation eligible to apply for ILR because I have lived here legally for almost 8 years? Plus I have a 20 months old son with my girlfriend whom is an EU citizen.

Thank you very much.