ILR-How late to apply?

[JWillem]

Apologies in advance if this question's already been asked a hundred times. My wife came to this country on 3rd March 2012, so I know that the earliest we can make the ILR application is 3rd February 2014. But what's the latest we can make the application? Of course I don't tend to leave things to the last minute; I just want to have some idea of how much time we have.

[Casa]

The latest would be before the visa expiry date.

[manci]

She should apply before the visa expiry date if she can but immigration rule 287(a)(i)(a) does not actually require the applicant to have extant leave at the time of the application.
http://www.freemovement.org.uk/2010/12/ ... r-spouses/

[vinny]

It's better to apply shortly before expiry of leave, to preserve her rights to work and her rights of appeal.