Skilled worker visa to ILR
You will be eligible to apply for a skilled worker visa to ILR after spending 5 years continuously under a skilled worker visa.
Skilled Worker migrants can apply for settlement, i.e. for Indefinite Leave to Remain (‘ILR’) after having spent 5 continuous years lawfully in the UK.
ILR as a skilled worker
You can apply for indefinite leave to remain 28 days before completing 5 years in the UK as a skilled worker. Generally, skilled worker visas are granted for a period of up to five years. At the end of 5 years as a skilled worker, you are eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain.
After obtaining ILR, you will have right to live and work in the UK without any immigration restrictions. After indefinite leave to remain, you can apply for British citizenship.
If you require Immigration Advice Services or help with an immigration problem, please contact +441614644140 or email us at info@deluxelawchambers.co.uk for fast, professional, and affordable immigration advice from our highly experienced UK immigration lawyers. You can book an appointment online for a detailed immigration consultation.
Contents
ILR as a skilled worker / tier 2 general migrant worker
Our expert and experienced team of immigration lawyers can help you to apply for ILR as a skilled worker once you have lived in the UK 5 years as a skilled worker. You can ask a question to our skilled worker visa lawyers for free immigration advice or book an appointment for detailed legal advice regarding your ILR application.
Skilled worker visa to ILR requirements
To apply for skilled worker visa to ILR, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must have completed five years in the UK on a Tier 2 General Visa or Skilled Worker Visa
- During the five-year period, you must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in a single year
- You must have passed the Life in the UK test and meet the English language requirement
- You must not have any unspent criminal convictions
- You must comply with the conditions of your visa and must have not breached any immigration laws
- You are still required to continue working for your employer
Once you receive ILR, you can live and work in the UK without any restrictions. You can also apply for British citizenship after holding ILR for at least 12 months.
Qualifying period for ILR as a skilled worker
The qualifying period to apply for skilled worker to ILR is 5 years. In the 5 years you’ve lived in the UK, you can include time you’ve had on any combination of the following visas:
- any Tier 1 visa – except Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur)
- Skilled Worker or Tier 2 (General)
- Scale-up Worker
- T2 Minister of Religion or Tier 2 (Minister of Religion)
- International Sportsperson, T2 Sportsperson or Tier 2 (Sportsperson)
- Innovator Founder
- Global Talent
- Representative of an Overseas Business
You must have lived in the UK for 5 years before you can apply for indefinite leave to remain. The earliest the application for the Skilled Worker ILR can be submitted is 28 days prior to reaching 5 years of qualifying period in the UK.
Continuous residence / absences under a skilled worker visa
To qualify for ILR after 5 years as a skilled worker, you must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months. If you don’t meet the residence requirement under Appendix continuous residence, the application is likely to be refused.
Please note, that the immigration rules were updated in January 2018 to include absences in any consecutive 12 month period. Previously, the 180 days of absence was considered for fixed 12 months periods going back from the date of application.
Applications submitted after 11 January 2018 will be subject to the current immigration rules where absences are considered on a rolling basis, rather than in separate consecutive 12-month periods.
Salary requirement for the ILR as a skilled worker
To apply for skilled worker visa to ILR, the applicant’s salary must be at least above £26,200 per annum or the ‘going rate’ for their job, whichever is higher. For example, if the applicant’s salary is £26,200 but the ‘going rate’ for their job is £30,000, they will not satisfy the salary requirement for indefinite leave to remain.
For most applicants, the salary threshold will be £26,200/ at least £10.75 an hour or at a going rate for the job, whichever is higher.
Sponsorship requirement
The eligibility rules under Appendix Skilled Worker (paragraph SW 24.1.) requires the sponsor (employer) to still hold a Skilled Worker licence at the time of your ILR application. The sponsor must confirm they require the applicant to work for them for the foreseeable future, and the applicant will be paid at least the minimum salary in paragraph SW 24.3. for the foreseeable future. You will need your certificate of sponsorship number to complete the application.
Super priority for ILR under the skilled worker
You have the option to apply for ILR as a skilled worker under super priority service to get a faster decision. Our experienced immigration lawyers can submit your ILR application under priority submit to get you a quick decision.
Home Office fee to apply for skilled worker visa to ILR
It costs £2,404 for each person applying. You can include your partner and children on the same application form if they’re eligible.
Our legal fees for iLR as a skilled worker
Our experienced immigration lawyers will charge a fixed fee starting from £1000 to assist with your ILR application under a skilled worker visa.
Why choose Deluxe Law Chambers for your ILR application?
Choosing the right and best immigration lawyer for your immigration needs can be stressful. While it could seem like a difficult choice, let us simplify things for you. Here are a few good reasons why you should choose Deluxe Law Chambers to assist you with your UK visas and immigration matters.
Our commitment to affordability means that you can receive expert advice without straining your finances. Our success hinges on transparency. We believe in keeping you informed about every step of the process, ensuring that you understand your options and the potential outcomes.
- REGULATED – We are regulated and approved immigration lawyers by The Office Of The Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC).
- EXPERIENCE – Our firm rests on specialist immigration lawyers and solicitors with years of experience. Our well-earned experience distinguishes us from others.
- EXPERTISE – As your immigration lawyer, we offer unparalleled expertise. We don’t just understand and interpret the law, we keep an eye on the slightest changes.
- AUTHORITY – Our authority isn’t just about legal powers but is gained through genuine care and successful outcomes for our clientele. So, why choose just a lawyer when you can choose a trusted authority?
- TRUST – Our commitment to uphold your trust is unwavering. Our transparency and ethical conduct are treatments for the trust placed in us by our clients.
- DIRECT ACCESS – At Deluxe Law Chambers as your immigration lawyers, you will have direct access to your qualified lawyer 24/7.
- AFFORDABLE – We are a law firm with an affordable and fixed fee plan. We offer two installments to ensure you can pay easily.
A combination of our rich experience, deep-rooted expertise, trust authority, and unwavering commitment to our clients makes us your best choice.
So, why wait? Take your first step towards a successful immigration application with us.
Frequently asked questions for skilled worker visa to ILR
Can my partner and children apply for the ILR?
It is possible for the dependant to apply for the ILR together with the main applicant. It costs £2,404 per applicant.
What is the waiting time for a decision on the Skilled Worker ILR application?
The ILR processing timeline is up to 8 weeks. However, it can take longer due to various reasons.
When can I apply for ILR with a skilled worker visa?
The earliest you can apply for ILR with a skilled worker visa is up to 28 days before you complete your 5-year qualifying residence period. If an application is submitted any sooner than 28 days before completion of this period it may be refused.
Can I apply for ILR before 28 days?
You cannot apply for ILR any earlier than 28 days before completing your 5-year qualifying residence period. If an application is submitted any sooner than 28 days before completion of this period the application is likely to be refused.
Am I eligible to change from a Skilled Worker Visa to ILR?
Yes, you can apply ILR under skilled worker visa if you meet the relevant requirements.
Can I switch employers while on a skilled worker visa and still apply for ILR?
Yes, you can switch employers as long as you continue to meet the requirements of the skilled worker visa and do not exceed the maximum time limit.
What are the main requirements for ILR as a skilled worker?
You must have continuously resided in the UK for 5 years, met the salary requirements, passed the Life in the UK test, and met the English language requirements.
What Our Clients Say About Us In Google Reviews?
