The applicants must apply before the end of their authorized stay in the United Kingdom. The applications should not be submitted more than 28 days before completing the qualifying period. If an application is submitted earlier than that, it may be refused. If that happens, no fee will be refunded and new fee will have to be paid again when reapplying.
In the following categories, the qualifying period is 5 years:
- work permit holder;
- employment not requiring a work permit;
- writer, composer or artist;
- UK ancestry; and highly skilled migrant.
The qualifying period in the ex HM Forces category is 4 years.
In the long residence category, the applicant must complete at least 10 years.
