Overseas sole representative visa to IRL

[shesajem2019]

Hi!

I have had a overseas sole representative visa for just under 5 years, visa approved on 1st July 2014, the first arrived in the UK on the 18th July 2014. I want to apply for IRL but my visa runs out on the 11th May 2019, which is 1 month and 1 week shy of 5 years (if I count from the arrival date), how can I apply for IRL if it requires 5 years in the UK but my visa runs out before the 5 years?

I was advised by a solicitor to apply for an extend of my overseas sole rep visa to I can accumulated the 5 years, but I also read somewhere on here that there is a 3 month leeway with applying for the IRL, so instead of extending my visa (which I'm not sure if possible - can't find anywhere saying I can do this) I should just apply for the IRL early. I have 2 passports so it won't stop me from travelling for work.

I guess I just wanted to see if anyone else has been in this situation and how they handled it?

[CR001]

There is no 3 months leeway to apply for ILR. Ask your lawyer where exactly this is stated.