between two worlds

I am hoping that trusty ever-helpful BritinParis will chime in with the customary expertise, or someone else who knows...

The ILR application guidance is very unclear on the .gov website. It keeps sending you round in circles.
I have read in numerous places, including here from BritinParis, that you aren't eligible for ILR until you are within 28 days of the current FLR visa's expiry date.
I can't find anything about this on the gov website.
Nor anything about travel restrictions or otherwise after filing the application but while current FLR/BRC is still within date.

1. "28 day rule": I can't find this on the gov website!
Nor was it mentioned anywhere in the online application, now completed and paid for.
And even when making the appointment with Sopra Steria/UKVACS, they do not mention any restrictions about when the appointment should be vis-a-vis the expiry date of the current FLR/BRC.
But to be safe, we have made a super priority appointment for within those 28 days (not earlier).

2. Travel: we were planning a short trip (Republic of Ireland for about 5 days) for an event on a specific date.
We would be coming back into the UK: AFTER HAVING SENT OFF AND PAID FOR THE APPLICATION ONLINE (already done)
BUT BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT
AND TWENTY DAYS BEFORE THE CURRENT FLR/ BIOMETRIC RESIDENCE CARD EXPIRES
Is it OK to take this trip?
Coming back in, obviously we will have a valid passport, and a BRC/FLR with twenty days still to go. It will be before the appointment, therefore no new biometrics taken.
BUT: as the application has been sent off and paid for, does that mean the whole status is PENDING and we shouldn't travel at all until issued with the ILR and new BRC??

There was an appointment available some days before the potential trip date, and as we paid super priority we should have the BRC before the potential departure if we took that date.
But that appointment was earlier than the "within 28 days" period, so we avoided it, to be safe...

Any light that anyone can shed on the 28 day rule, and on travel after filing application but while current FLR status is still valid, —especially clues as to where all this is spelt out on the govt website—gratefully received!

between two worlds

BritInParis

Technically I suspect the answer is yes as the application won’t be passed to an ECO for consideration until the biometrics are given but I personally wouldn’t risk it as leaving the UK whilst an application is in progress should automatically lead to it being withdrawn.

between two worlds

between two worlds

Update: the application was sent in, Super Priority appointment arranged at a Sopra Steria office, biometrics taken, documents scanned, positive decision via email the next morning, and BRP card saying "Settled: Indefinite Leave to Remain" arrived a few days later!

Thanks again for your help, BinP.

Good luck to all others.

I'll just add, the card itself has an expiry date of 2024! This was momentarily alarming, but some research reveals that it's just an EU requirement for all cards that haven't got the latest generation of security technology. The IRL status is permanent but the card itself has to be replaced, which will be a small charge (compared to all the costs we've had for IRL!) of about £60.

It would have been helpful if they'd explained that on the accompanying letter.....

BritInParis

Congratulations! Yes, that expiry date is standard for all current gen ILR BRPs.

between two worlds

Thanks! Indeed, and thank you for confirming this about the date. If only I hadn't had to google around to find out why!

The letter should explain this, as the date could cause many people needless worry.