Skilled Worker visa to ILR

As a skilled worker, you may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after you have spent 5 continuous years in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa.

Once you are granted ILR as a skilled worker, you can stay in the UK indefinitely and work in any job or industry without the need for a work permit. You may also be eligible to apply for British citizenship after a certain period of time.

If you need legal advice or help with your Indefinite Leave to Remain application, our experienced immigration lawyer can provide you with the help you need.

Call Rex Law Chambers on 0161 989 9370 or fill in our enquiry form for immigration advice and help with your Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application.

Table of Contents

How to apply for ILR as a Skilled Worker?

If you want to apply for ILR as a Skilled Worker, you must apply online for Indefinite Leave to Remain by using the SET(O) application form.

Here are the steps you need to take to apply for ILR as a Skilled Worker:

Check if you are eligible
Collect the necessary documents
Fill out the application form
Pay the application fee
Submit your application
Book & attend a biometric appointment
Wait for a decision

Read this comprehensive guide to learn more about how to apply for ILR, the required documents and fees.

Requirements for ILR as a Skilled Worker

To apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as a Skilled Worker in the UK, you must meet the following requirements:

Continuous residence: You must have been continuously resident in the UK for at least five years unless you are eligible for an accelerated route to settlement.
Immigration status: You must have held a valid Skilled Worker visa throughout your stay in the UK.
Employment: You must have been employed in the UK and must still be employed by a UK-based employer who holds a valid sponsor licence.
Salary: You must have been paid at or above the minimum salary threshold for your job, as stated in the Skilled Worker visa requirements.
English language proficiency: You must meet the English language proficiency requirement by passing an approved English language test or by having a degree taught in English.
Knowledge of life in the UK: You must have passed the Life in the UK test, which assesses your knowledge of British society, culture, and history.
Absences from the UK: You must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period during your five-year residency period, unless you have a valid reason for your absence, such as work, study, or compassionate leave.

You must also meet all the other eligibility requirements depending on type of application and your personal circumstances. Please contact us for an initial assessment to determine your eligibility, and to discuss the options.

Continuous residence requirement

To apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as a skilled worker in the UK, the applicant must meet the continuous residence requirement. This means that the applicant must have lived in the UK for a continuous period of 5 years, during which they must have had legal permission to stay in the country throughout the entire period.

The applicant must not have breached any immigration laws, such as overstaying their visa or working without permission, during the 5-year period. They must also have met other requirements, such as passing the Life in the UK Test and meeting the English language proficiency requirement.

Additionally, during the 5-year period, the applicant must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period, unless there are compelling or compassionate reasons for the absence, such as serious illness or caring responsibilities.

Life in the UK test for ILR

When applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK, you will generally be required to pass the Life in the UK test as part of the application process. The test is designed to assess your knowledge of British culture, customs, and history, and it is a requirement for most settlement and citizenship applications.

To take the Life in the UK test, you will need to book an appointment at a designated test centre and pay the test fee, which as of April 2023 is £50. The test is computer-based and consists of 24 multiple-choice questions, which you will have 45 minutes to answer.

The test covers a range of topics related to life in the UK, including:

The UK’s political system, including the roles of the government, Parliament, and judiciary
British history, culture, and society, including significant events, people, and traditions
Rights and responsibilities of UK citizens, such as voting and paying taxes
Education, healthcare, and social welfare systems in the UK
Immigration, asylum, and citizenship laws and policies in the UK.

To pass the test, you must answer at least 18 out of 24 questions correctly. If you fail the test, you can retake it after seven days, but you will need to pay the test fee again.

English language requirement for ILR

When applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK, you will generally be required to meet the English language requirements as part of the application process. The specific requirements will depend on your individual circumstances and the immigration category under which you are applying.

In general, to meet the English language requirement for ILR, you must provide evidence that you:

Have a degree taught in English that is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or PhD;
Have passed a Home Office approved English language test at the required level (currently CEFR level B1 or above) with a recognized test provider; or
Have obtained an academic qualification taught in English from an institution that is recognized by UK NARIC (the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom).

It’s important to note that some categories of applicants, such as those aged 65 or over or those with a long residence in the UK, may be exempt from the English language requirement.

If you need to take an English language test, you can find a list of Home Office approved test providers on the UK government’s website. You should ensure that you meet the required level of English language proficiency before taking the test, as failing the test can delay your ILR application.

If you have any questions or concerns about the English language requirements for your ILR application, it’s advisable to seek guidance from an immigration lawyer.

Documents required to apply for ILR as a Skilled Worker

To apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as a Skilled Worker in the UK, you will need to provide the following documents:

Current valid passport or travel document: This is required to demonstrate your identity, nationality, and right to stay in the UK.
Biometric Residence Permit (BRP): If you have been issued a BRP, you must provide this as evidence of your right to work and stay in the UK.
Evidence of continuous residence: You must provide evidence that you have been continuously resident in the UK for the required period of time (usually 5 years) under the Skilled Worker visa route. This may include bank statements, utility bills, council tax bills, and tenancy agreements.
Evidence of current employment: You must provide evidence of your current employment, including a letter from your employer confirming your job title, salary, and the date you started working for them.
Evidence of English language proficiency: You must provide evidence that you meet the English language requirement, such as an approved English language test or a degree taught in English.
Evidence of knowledge of life in the UK: You must provide evidence that you have passed the Life in the UK test.

This is a general list of documents. Depending on type of application and your personal circumstances, you might also need to provide additional documents.

Please contact us for an initial assessment to determine your eligibility, and find out the required list of documents in support of your application.

ILR application processing time

You should get a decision within 3-6 months if you are applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) using standard service. However, you may be able to use priority service to get a faster decision.

Check the latest information about the ILR application processing time on the GOV website.

How long does the ILR application process take?

Once you have applied online and attended your biometrics appointment, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:

3-6 months, if applying using standard service
5 working days, if applying using priority service
24 hours, if applying using super priority service

Super Priority Service

You may be eligible to use the “super priority service” to get a faster decision by the end of the next working day (within 24 hours). You’ll need to pay £1,000 in addition to the ILR application fee.

Priority Service

You may be able to choose the ‘priority service‘ when you apply for a UK visa to get a faster decision within 5 working days. You’ll need to pay £500 in addition to the ILR application fee.

When you apply, you might be eligible to choose the ‘super priority service‘ or ‘priority service‘ to get your visa faster depending on the type of application.

ILR application fees

Home Office (UKVI) fee for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application is £2,885 per applicant if applying using standard service. You do not need to pay the IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) if you are applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

Please note that these fees are subject to change, and you should always check the most up-to-date information on the UK government’s official website before applying for a visa.

How much does an ILR application cost?

The cost of an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application varies depending on the type of application you are applying for and the type of service you are using such as ‘standard service‘, ‘super priority service‘, or ‘priority service‘.

Here are some common costs associated with applying for an indefinite leave to remain:

£2,885 Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application fee
£0.00 Biometrics fee (there’s no fee for this)
£50 Life in the UK test fee (unless you are exempt)
£150 approx. English language test fee (unless you are exempt)
£1,000 in addition to the application fee if using the “super priority service” to get faster decisions within 24 hours (optional)
£500 in addition to the application fee if using the “priority service” to get faster decisions within 5 working days (optional)
£800-£1,000 Our immigration lawyer fees (if using our full legal services to maximise your chances of success & avoid mistakes)

Please note that the above is a general list of costs associated with UK visa applications. There may be additional costs such translation fee depending on your circumstances.

Immigration lawyer fees

Our expert UK immigration lawyer will guide you through every step of the UK visa application process including advice about legal requirements and eligibility criteria.

At Rex Law Chambers, our immigration lawyer charges a fixed fee between £800-£1000 for our complete legal services in relation to your UK visa application. The agreed fixed fee will depend on the complexity of the matter and the casework involved in the matter.

How can our immigration lawyer help you?

As part of our immigration services for your immigration application, our expert immigration lawyer will:

assess your eligibility for the relevant visa type by fully considering your circumstances;
advise you on the required supporting documents to be submitted in support of your immigration application;
assess all the documents to ensure that the documents you provide are as per the requirements of the Immigration Rules;
advise you on strengths and potential weaknesses in your visa application and how you can overcome such weaknesses if any;
complete the online immigration draft application form to share it with you for cross-checking;
submit your application online and schedule your biometrics appointments with the relevant commercial partner of the UKVI;
prepare a detailed cover letter in support of the immigration application explaining in detail how you are meeting all the requirements of the Immigration Rules so that you have the maximum chances of succeeding in your visa application;
upload all the supporting documents online in support of the immigration application in their correct format and order;
dealing and responding to any caseworker enquiries or correspondence from the Home Office caseworker for any further documents or information concerning your pending immigration application;
do all the follow-up work on your immigration application until a decision is received from the Home Office UKVI.

Need legal advice or help from an immigration lawyer?

Call us on 0161 989 9370 or fill in the enquiry form to get legal advice or help with your UK visa application. Our UK immigration lawyer is ready to assist you.

At Rex Law Chambers, we specialise in a wide range of UK visas and nationality applications and our principal immigration lawyer has a wealth of experience and expert knowledge to deal with all types of UK visas and immigration applications. He has successfully handled many complex and high-profile cases and also represented clients in their immigration matters.

Free immigration advice online

Our immigration lawyer can provide one-off FREE general legal advice online via live chat or through the enquiry form. The FREE advice does not cover the advice in relation to complex legal issues or advice about documents to be submitted in support of the application.

If you would like to get detailed immigration advice then please schedule an in-person, Zoom, or phone consultation by using our appointment request form.

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A Skilled Worker visa is a type of long-term work visa that allows overseas skilled workers to come to the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer.

Once granted, the Skilled Worker visa is typically issued for a period of up to five years, allowing the individual to live and work in the UK. During this time, they can switch employers and change job roles within the same occupation, as long as the new employer is also a licensed sponsor and issues a new Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

The application process and requirements for the Skilled Worker visa may change over time, It’s advisable to seek legal advice to ensure you have the most up-to-date information and guidance for your specific circumstances.

If you need legal advice or help with your UK Skilled Worker visa application, our experienced immigration lawyer can provide you with the help you need.

Call Rex Law Chambers on 0161 989 9370 or fill in our enquiry form for immigration advice and help with your Skilled Worker visa application.

What is a Skilled Worker visa?

The UK Skilled Worker visa (formerly known as ‘Tier 2 (General) Work visa‘) is a long-term work visa that allows overseas highly skilled workers to come to the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer that holds a sponsorship licence.

It was introduced as part of the UK’s new points-based immigration system, which came into effect on December 1, 2020, following the UK’s departure from the European Union.

To be eligible for the Skilled Worker visa, an applicant must have a job offer from a UK employer that is on the list of eligible occupations and meet certain other requirements, including minimum salary thresholds and English language proficiency. The employer must also be a licensed sponsor and must provide a certificate of sponsorship.

The Skilled Worker visa allows successful applicants to live and work in the UK for up to five years. After that time, they may be eligible to apply for settlement in the UK. The visa also allows visa holders to bring their dependents, including spouses and children, to the UK.

Overall, the Skilled Worker visa is designed to attract skilled workers who can contribute to the UK’s economy and fill shortages in certain occupations.

What are the Skilled Worker visa requirements?

To be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa in the UK, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

The applicant must have a job offer from a UK employer.
The employer must provide a certificate of sponsorship.
The applicant must be paid at least the minimum salary threshold for the job they are offered.
The job must be at RQF level 3 or above.
The applicant must meet the financial requirements
The applicant must meet English language requirements (at least CEFR level B1).
The applicant must not have any criminal convictions or a history of unacceptable behaviour.

Read this comprehensive guide for more information about Skilled Worker visa requirements.

Skilled worker visa points calculator

To calculate Skilled Worker visa points, an individual needs to meet certain eligibility criteria and score a minimum of 70 points in total. Here is how the points are calculated:

Requirements	Mandatory	Points
Offer of a job by a Home Office approved sponsor	Yes	20
Job at appropriate skill level	Yes	20
Speaks English at the required level	Yes	10
Salary of £20,480 to £23,039 or at least 80% of the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher)		0
Salary of £23,040 to £25,599 or at least 90% of the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher)		10
Salary of £25,600 or above or at least the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher)		20
Job in a shortage occupation as designated by the Migration Advisory Committee		20
Education qualification: PhD in a subject relevant to the job		10
Education qualification: PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job	Yes	20

To calculate the total points, the individual should add up the points they score for each criterion. They must score at least 70 points in total to be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa.

Skilled Worker minimum salary requirement

The Skilled Worker visa has a minimum salary requirement that an employer must pay to sponsor a migrant worker. The minimum salary requirement varies depending on the job the individual is applying for and their skill level.

The current annual general salary threshold for a Skilled Worker visa is £26,200 per year or £10.75 per hour, whichever is higher.

Each occupation code has its own annual going rate. Check the going rate for your job in the going rates table.

Financial maintenance requirement

The financial maintenance requirement is an important eligibility criterion for the Skilled Worker visa, which requires that an individual must be able to support themselves while living in the UK.

The applicant must have enough money to cover their living costs, including accommodation, food, and other expenses, without relying on public funds.

You’ll usually need to have at least £1,270 for a period of 28 days if they are applying from outside the UK, or £945 for a period of 90 days if they are applying from inside the UK.

Certificate of sponsorship requirement

The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a key requirement for the Skilled Worker visa. It is an electronic document that is issued by the employer who has offered the individual a job in the UK.

To obtain a Skilled Worker visa, the individual must have a valid CoS from their sponsoring employer. The CoS serves as evidence that the employer has met the requirements to sponsor an individual under the Skilled Worker visa category and that the individual has a genuine job offer in the UK.

To apply for a Skilled Worker visa, the individual will need to provide their CoS reference number, which will be included in the CoS. The CoS will also include details about the individual’s job, including the job title, the job duties, and the salary.

English language requirement

The English language requirement for a Skilled Worker visa is an important eligibility criterion that an individual must meet in order to be granted a visa.

To meet the English language requirement, an individual must:

Pass an approved English language test: The individual must take an approved English language test and achieve at least CEFR level B1 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The approved tests include the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic, or the Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test.
Have a degree taught in English: If the individual has completed a degree-level course that was taught in English, they may be exempt from the English language test requirement.
Be a national of a majority English-speaking country: If an individual is a citizen of a country where English is the majority language, they will automatically meet the English language requirement.

Required documents for the Skilled Worker visa application

To apply for a Skilled Worker visa in the UK, an applicant must provide several supporting documents, including:

A valid passport or other travel documents
Certificate of Sponsorship
Evidence that you meet the financial requirement
Evidence of your knowledge of the English language
Proof of any dependent family members (if applicable)
Tuberculosis (TB) test results (if applicable)
Criminal record certificate

This is a general list of documents. Depending on type of application and your personal circumstances, you might also need to provide additional documents.

Please contact us for an initial assessment to determine your eligibility, and find out the required list of documents in support of your application.

It is recommended that you consult the immigration lawyer on applying for a Skilled Worker visa to ensure that you provide all the necessary documents for your application.

Read the guidance for the full list of documents you’ll need to provide in support of your Skilled Worker visa application.

How to apply for a Skilled Worker visa?

To apply for a Skilled Worker visa in the UK, an applicant must follow these steps:

Check if you are eligible
Get a certificate of sponsorship
Collect the necessary documents
Fill out the application form and apply online
Book & attend a biometric appointment
Wait for a decision

Read this comprehensive guide to learn more about the UK Skilled Worker visa application process in detail.

It’s important to note that the application process and requirements for the Skilled Worker visa may change over time, so applicants should always consult the immigration lawyer to get the latest information.

Extend your Skilled Worker visa

If an individual is currently in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa and wants to extend their stay, they may be able to apply for a visa extension or renewal. The application process will depend on their circumstances.

To extend a Skilled Worker visa, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

You must apply before your current visa expires.
You have the same job as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK.
Your job is in the same occupation code as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK.
You’re still working for the employer who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship.

Applicants must provide a new certificate of sponsorship from their UK employer and meet the same requirements they met when they applied for their initial visa, including English language proficiency, financial requirements, and skill level.

Read the guidance for how to extend your UK Skilled Worker visa and the requirements.

Switch to a Skilled Worker visa

You can switch to a Skilled Worker visa from certain other visa categories while in the UK, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. You must have a job offer from a UK employer who is a licensed sponsor.

It’s important to note that switching to a Skilled Worker visa from some other visa categories may not be possible. Applicants should always consult an immigration lawyer for the most up-to-date information and specific eligibility requirements for switching to a Skilled Worker visa.

Read this guidance for how to switch to a UK Skilled Worker visa and the requirements.

ILR as a Skilled Worker

As a skilled worker, you may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after you have spent 5 continuous years in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa.

Read this guide about how to apply for ILR as a Skilled Worker and the eligibility requirements.

Family members (PBS dependent visa)

Your family members (a partner or children) will need to apply for the Skilled Worker dependent visas separately. Your dependents can either apply at the same time as you or at any time before their current visa expires.

The family members include your husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried/same-sex partner or your child under 18 years old (including if they were born in the UK during your stay).

Read the guidance about the PBS Dependent visa and the requirements.

UK Skilled Worker visa processing time

Once you have applied online and attended your biometrics appointment, you’ll usually get a decision on your Skilled Worker visa within:

3 weeks, if applying from outside the UK using standard service
8 weeks, if applying from inside the UK using standard service
5 working days, if applying using priority service
24 hours, if applying using super priority service

Super Priority Service

You may be eligible to use the ‘super priority service‘ to get a faster decision by the end of the next working day (within 24 hours). You’ll need to pay £1,000 in addition to the UK visa application fee.

Priority Service

You may be able to choose the ‘priority service‘ when you apply for a UK visa to get a faster decision within 5 working days. You’ll need to pay £500 in addition to the UK visa application fee.

When you apply, you might be eligible to choose the ‘super priority service‘ or ‘priority service‘ to get your visa faster depending on the type of application and what country you’re in.

Applicants are advised to check the latest information about UK visa application processing time on the official UK government website either applying from inside the UK or outside the UK.

UK Skilled Worker visa application fees

How much does it cost to apply for a Skilled Worker visa in the UK?

The cost of a UK visa application varies depending on the type of visa you are applying for, your location and the type of service such as ‘standard service‘, ‘super priority service‘, or ‘priority service‘.

Here are some common costs associated with applying for a UK visa:

£625 to £1,423 Skilled Worker visa application fee
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
£19.20 Biometrics fee (if applying from inside the UK)
£1,000 in addition to the visa fee if using the super priority service
£500 in addition to the visa fee if using the priority service
English language test fee (if required)
Immigration lawyer fees (if using legal services to boost your chances of success & avoid mistakes)

Please note that these fees are subject to change, and you should always check the most up-to-date information on the UK government’s official website before applying for a visa.

Immigration lawyer fees

Our expert UK immigration lawyer will guide you through every step of the UK visa application process including advice about legal requirements and eligibility criteria.

At Rex Law Chambers, our immigration lawyer charges a fixed fee between £800-£1000 for our complete legal services in relation to your Skilled Worker visa application. The agreed fixed fee will depend on the complexity of the matter and the casework involved in the matter.

How can an immigration lawyer help you?

As part of our immigration services for your immigration application, our expert immigration lawyer will:

assess your eligibility for the relevant visa type by fully considering your circumstances;
advise you on the required supporting documents to be submitted in support of your immigration application;
assess all the documents to ensure that the documents you provide are as per the requirements of the Immigration Rules;
advise you on strengths and potential weaknesses in your visa application and how you can overcome such weaknesses if any;
complete the online immigration draft application form to share it with you for cross-checking;
submit your application online and schedule your biometrics appointments with the relevant commercial partner of the UKVI;
prepare a detailed cover letter in support of the immigration application explaining in detail how you are meeting all the requirements of the Immigration Rules so that you have the maximum chances of succeeding in your visa application;
upload all the supporting documents online in support of the immigration application in their correct format and order;
dealing and responding to any caseworker enquiries or correspondence from the Home Office caseworker for any further documents or information concerning your pending immigration application;
do all the follow-up work on your immigration application until a decision is received from the Home Office UKVI.

Contact our experienced and friendly immigration lawyer on 0161 989 9370 or fill in our enquiry form to get reliable & confidential immigration advice and legal assistance with a UK visa application or any other immigration matter.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How do I get a Skilled Worker visa UK?

To be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa, you must have a confirmed job offer in a UK company that holds a sponsorship licence. You must meet all the eligibility requirements depending on your circumstances.

When can I apply ILR after Skilled Worker visa?

You may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) (known as 'Settlement'), once you have completed 5 continuous years in the UK as a Skilled Worker.

How to apply for a Skilled Worker visa?

You must apply online for a UK Skilled Worker visa. You need to upload all the supporting documents, attend biometric appointment and pay the correct visa application & IHS fees.

How can I get help with Skilled Worker visa application?

Call Rex Law Chambers on 0161 989 9370 for confidential legal advice and help with your Skilled Worker visa application. You can get help from our immigration lawyer in person, over the phone, via WhatsApp, email or live chat.

Need legal advice or help from an immigration lawyer?

Call us on 0161 989 9370 or fill in the enquiry form to get legal advice or help with your UK visa application. Our UK immigration lawyer is ready to assist you.

Free immigration advice online

If you would like to get detailed immigration advice then please schedule an in-person, Zoom, or phone consultation by using our appointment request form.

Skilled Worker visa to ILR