ILR For Skilled Worker & Tier 2 Visa in UK – Requirements

Ilr skilled worker status is a crucial step for those on a Tier 2 visa aiming to settle in the UK. It grants permanent residency, lifting restrictions tied to work permits and visa renewals. Whether you’re on a Skilled Worker route or the Health and Care Visa, understanding the process is key. From eligibility checks to salary thresholds and application fees, this guide breaks it all down.

We’ll explore every aspect — from visa types to British citizenship — to help you plan your move with confidence.

Eligibility for ILR Skilled Worker and Tier 2 Visa Holders

Ilr skilled worker applicants must meet strict criteria before they can apply for permanent residence in the UK. Those currently on a Skilled Worker visa, Health and Care visa Tier 2, or legacy Tier 2 visa may be eligible if they meet the following conditions:

• Residency Period: You must have lawfully lived in the UK for five continuous years under a Skilled Worker, Tier 2, or Health and Care visa. Short breaks abroad are allowed, but no more than 180 days in any 12-month period.
• Salary Threshold: The ilr salary requirements generally require an annual income of £38,700 or the “going rate” for your job role. If you work in healthcare or education, lower thresholds may apply, subject to role-specific exceptions.
• Language and Integration: You must pass the Life in the UK Test and prove English proficiency through an approved test or by holding a degree taught in English.
• Work Permit Validity: Your current UK work permit or Skilled Worker visa must still be valid at the time of application.

Meeting these criteria is essential before submitting an application for indefinite leave to remain in the UK. Failure to meet even one condition could delay or reject your leave to remain UK request.

ILR Salary Requirements for Skilled Workers and Tier 2 Visas

To qualify for ilr skilled worker status, meeting the right salary level is critical. The UK Home Office expects applicants to earn the higher of the two:

• £38,700 per year, or
• The standard going rate for your specific job role

Still, there are key exceptions depending on your profession or visa history:

• Health and Care visa Tier 2 holders: Minimum salary is £23,200
• Education sector roles: Pay is aligned with national pay scales
• Immigration Salary List jobs: Minimum threshold is £30,960
• Tier 2 visa holders sponsored before 4 April 2024: Salary must be at least £29,000

These exceptions help support vital sectors while maintaining fair access to indefinite leave to remain UK routes. The skilled worker visa ILR salary check is strict, so always verify your role’s rate via the official Home Office tables.

Failing to meet the ilr salary requirements may lead to a refusal, even if all other conditions are met. Therefore, early planning is essential when preparing your application for indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

ILR Skilled Worker Application and Fees

The process of applying for ilr skilled worker status must be planned carefully to avoid delays or refusals. Here’s how to manage both timing and costs effectively.

When and How to Apply

• You can apply 28 days before completing five continuous years in the UK
• Applications for indefinite leave to remain UK must be submitted online
• Provide key documents like your work permit, salary records, and proof of employment

You must still hold a valid Skilled Worker visa or Tier 2 visa at the time of your application. Late or incorrect applications can impact your path to UK indefinite leave to remain.

ILR Application Fee and Biometric Requirements

• Standard application fee for indefinite leave to remain in the UK: £2,885 per applicant
• You may include your partner and children in the same application
• Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) are required via a UKVCAS appointment

Visa Processing Time and Priority Options

Standard processing time: Up to 6 months

• Priority service: +£500 for a decision in 5 working days
• Super priority service: +£1,000 for a decision within 1–2 working days

Do not travel outside the UK while awaiting a decision. Doing so withdraws your application automatically.

Proper submission ensures you stay on track toward UK citizenship in the future.

ILR Rules on Time Spent in the UK for Skilled Workers

Your path to ilr skilled worker status depends not just on time, but on how that time is spent. The UK Home Office requires five continuous years of lawful residence — but with strict rules.

Absences from the UK

To maintain eligibility for indefinite leave to remain, you must not:

• Spend more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period
• Break your continuity with long or unapproved absences

This rule applies to all applicants under the Skilled Worker visa ILR route, including those on a Tier 2 visa or Health and Care visa Tier 2.

Counting Time from Other Visas

In some cases, time spent on other visas may count toward your application for indefinite leave to remain in the UK, including:

• Tier 1 (General)
• Global Talent visa
• Scale-up Worker visa

Switching between these categories is allowed, but you must ensure your time remains unbroken and within leave to remain UK rules.

Planning your journey carefully ensures you meet the eligibility for ILR and stay on track for British citizenship.

ILR for Dependants and Life After ILR Skilled Worker

Once you secure ilr skilled worker status, your immediate family may also qualify for indefinite leave to remain UK, provided they meet specific conditions.

Bringing Dependants with You

Your partner and children can apply if they:

• Have lived in the UK as dependants on your Skilled Worker visa or Tier 2 visa for at least five years
• Remain in a genuine relationship with you
• Meet all financial and public funds restrictions

For children aged 18 or older, the rules are stricter. They must:

• Have held dependent visa on student visa, Skilled Worker, or other permitted categories before turning 18
• Not lead an independent life (e.g., not married or employed full-time)
• Pass the Life in the UK Test and meet the English language standard

This ensures all family members qualify under the same leave to remain UK standards.

After Getting Indefinite Leave to Remain

Securing ilr skilled worker status is a major milestone on your journey in the UK. It offers long-term security, opens the door to UK citizenship, and removes most restrictions tied to your previous Skilled Worker visa or Tier 2 visa.

Once you hold indefinite leave to remain in UK, you can:

• Work, launch a business, or pursue education without sponsorship
• Access essential services like healthcare and schooling
• Receive benefits and pensions, subject to eligibility
• Apply for British citizenship after 12 months of holding ILR

However, it’s important to stay connected to the UK. Spending more than two years abroad could lead to the loss of your ILR and require a new work permit or skilled migrant visa application.

The visa processing time can vary, so always apply early, meet all ilr salary requirements, and ensure your UKVCAS appointment and documentation are complete. With the right preparation, your application for indefinite leave to remain in the UK will move you one step closer to becoming a full citizen.

If you hold a Skilled Worker, Health and Care visa Tier 2, or Tier 2 visa, applying for ilr skilled worker status is a vital move toward permanent residence in the UK. Make sure you meet the salary thresholds, follow the residency rules, and submit your application with all supporting documents on time.

For accurate, up-to-date guidance, visit the UK Home Office or seek personalised help from Citizens Advice.

Source / Ref.: Gov.uk  Contains public sector information licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0.

Written by [Ketan Borada / British Portal Team] – Founder of British Portal, dedicated to providing accurate and up-to-date information on UK public services and benefits.