so--we are at the final stage of the settlement route. amongst all the other multi page words of confusion--it appears my wife has to prove she was in the UK exactly 3 years ago to the day her application is received. And just how on earth does she do that ?
oh--they go by the exit and entry stamps ? I wonder what is the reason for the exact day 3 years before rule ?
No idea it may be that they see fairness in the 3 year period but then you have someone on a 5 year route having to demonstrate they were here 3 years ago and a person on a 3 year route doing exactly the same. What would worry me is if someone is out of the UK at 3 years and at the 5 year application they have left it to last minute to apply and fall foul of this. It might be covered elsewhere! In your case yes it's stamps in passport
Goes back to old rules for spouse qualifying for ILR after two years of spouse visa (before July 2022). https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/family-and-private-life-rule-changes-9-july-2012