ILR after Skilled Worker

Application for indefinite leave to remain is an exciting step towards the British citizenship. If you've been living in the UK under the Skilled Worker Visa, you may be eligible to apply for ILR after meeting certain criteria. In this article, we'll provide an overview of the different routes to ILR after a Skilled Worker Visa and the requirements you need to fulfil.

If you hold a Skilled Worker Visa, you can apply for ILR after living in the UK for a continuous period of 5 years. During this time, you must meet specific requirements related to your employment, including salary thresholds and the type of work you're engaged in.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for ILR, you must meet the following general eligibility criteria:

1. Time in the UK: You must have lived in the UK for 5 years before you can apply for indefinite leave to remain.

2. Financial Requirements: You need to meet specific financial criteria.

You will need to be paid at least whichever is the highest out of the following:

• £25,600 per year
• £10.10 per hour
• the ‘going rate’ for the type of work you’ll be doing

The exception is when you work in some healthcare or education jobs, where the going rate is based on national pay scales.

3. Time Outside the UK: During the qualifying period, you should have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period.

4. Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK: If you are between 18 and 64 years old, you must pass the Life in the UK Test.

Fees and Processing Time

Application Fee

The fee for applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is £2,885 for each person applying. This fee covers the processing of your application.

Biometric Information

As part of the application process, each applicant will need to provide biometric information, including fingerprints and a photo. Fortunately, there is no additional fee for this biometric data collection.

Processing Time

If you apply using the standard service, you can usually expect to receive a decision on your ILR application within 6 months. The processing time may vary depending on the complexity of your case and the current workload of the Home Office.