If you are planning to apply for ILR as a Skilled Worker, you must complete 5 years of continuous lawful residence, meet salary requirements, pass the Life in the UK Test, and satisfy the English language criteria.
You can submit your ILR application up to 28 days before completing the 5-year qualifying period.
The Skilled Worker visa is a primary work route for individuals who have a job offer from a licensed sponsor. It replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa in December 2020 and allows skilled professionals to work, study, and bring eligible dependants.
This visa provides a clear pathway to settlement. After completing 5 continuous years, eligible applicants can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), provided they continue to meet employment and salary requirements.
Key Features
To qualify for ILR, applicants must meet several immigration and employment conditions.
Requirements
Applicants must meet strict criteria under immigration rules when transitioning from a Skilled Worker visa to ILR.
To qualify for ILR, you must:
Absences are calculated on a rolling 12-month basis, not by calendar year.
To be eligible for ILR, your salary must meet the required threshold:
Salary assessments follow specific immigration rules, including provisions for individuals returning from permitted absences. In such cases, salary evaluation is based on the amount paid upon returning to work, as confirmed by the sponsor.
Applicants must meet the B1 English language requirement through one of the following:
You can apply for ILR up to 28 days before completing 5 years of continuous residence.
Skilled Worker visas are typically granted for up to 5 years, and once this period is completed, you may apply for ILR if all requirements are met.
After obtaining ILR, you gain the right to live and work without restrictions. You may also become eligible to apply for citizenship at a later stage.
Applying for ILR requires careful preparation and accurate documentation to avoid delays or refusal.
Preparing Your Documentation
You should gather the following:
Completing the SET(O) Form
The ILR application is completed using the SET(O) form. You must:
Errors or incomplete information may lead to delays or refusal.
Biometrics and UKVCAS Appointment
After submitting your application, you will attend a UKVCAS appointment to:
Processing times may vary:
Understanding timelines and costs helps you plan your application effectively.
You can apply:
The 5-year qualifying period can include time spent on eligible visa categories such as:
Below is a breakdown of typical costs:
After obtaining ILR, you may apply for citizenship after 12 months, provided you meet residence and character requirements.
To apply for ILR, you must complete 5 years of residence. Applications can be submitted up to 28 days before reaching this qualifying period.
The required qualifying period is 5 years of continuous residence.
During this time, you must not exceed 180 days outside the country in any 12-month period. Exceeding this limit may reset your qualifying period and delay eligibility.
Applicants must ensure absences do not exceed 180 days in any 12-month period.
Immigration rules updated after 11 January 2018 introduced a rolling calculation method. This means absences are assessed continuously rather than in fixed yearly blocks.
Failure to meet these requirements may result in refusal of the ILR application.
To qualify under the Skilled Worker route:
Applicants may choose faster processing options:
These services are subject to availability.
