How do I apply for ILR as a Skilled Worker?

If you have a UK Skilled Worker visa, the good news is that you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) once you have stayed for a continuous timeframe of 5 years in the country under this visa category. Are you excited? Learn about the requirements of ILR: Indefinite Leave to Remain as a Skilled Worker in this blog.

Through ILR, you have the right to remain in the country indefinitely and without restriction to study or work. Once all the immigration restrictions are lifted, you can apply to naturalize as a British citizen. This is, however, subject to meeting other conditions.

Eligibility Requirements For Obtaining ILR As A Skilled Worker

You must stay for a continuous 5 years in the country with a Skilled Worker visa:

• The 5-year qualifying period usually begins on the date your Skilled Worker visa is issued.
• During the qualifying period, you are not supposed to be absent from the country for over 180 days in every 12-month period,
• Any absences from work must be authorised by the employer, and

Also note that you may combine the past period of residence in other visa categories, such as Innovator and Representative of an Overseas Business categories, Global Talent and as a Tier 1 Migrant (other than as a Tier 1 (Graduate) Entrepreneur) and count this as the 5 years of your continuous residence.

You will have to meet the minimum salary requirement, which is:

• £26,200 per annum, or
• £10.75 per hour, or
• The ‘current rate’ for the job code you are sponsored for at the moment

Your sponsor must continue to require you for the job position and meet the salary requirements when your ILR is issued (all of this must be confirmed by your employer), and your sponsor will be holding a licence at the time of your ILR application.

You are required to showcase your knowledge of the English language and life in the UK.

Even when you have already proven your knowledge of the English language when obtaining a Skilled Worker Visa in the UK, a life in the UK test is required.

You should submit the application for ILR before the current UK Work Permit expires. But you must only submit it up to 28 days before the date that you have completed 5 years continuously in the UK.

If Standard Processing services were used, the application would not require more than 6 months to decide. You can also purchase a priority or super-priority service when submitting your application if you want a faster decision.

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