Skilled Worker Visa to ILR Requirements and Guidance 2025

As a Skilled Worker visa holder (formerly Tier 2 visa), you may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after you have lived in the UK for 5 continuous years and meet other requirements.

The earliest you can apply for ILR from a Skilled Worker visa is 28 days before you reach the 5-year qualifying period. It is important to apply for ILR before your Skilled Worker visa expires. 

It is possible to combine time in the UK on other visa types to meet the 5 year ILR qualifying period, including the following:

• Tier 1 visa (with the exception of the Graduate Entrepreneur)
• Global Talent visa
• Innovator visa
• International Sportsperson visa or Tier 2 Sportsperson visa
• UK Expansion Worker visa
• Scale-up Worker visa
• Minister of Religion visa or Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) visa

For support with your Skilled Worker Visa to ILR application, please contact our Skilled Worker Visa lawyers at 02037442797.

Skilled Worker visa / Tier 2 visa to ILR requirements

In order to qualify for ILR as a Skilled Worker visa holder, you must satisfy the following requirements:

• Have spent 5 or more continuous years in the UK
• Meet the new salary requirements: £41,700 per year, or the going rate of your job, whichever is higher (In some cases, a lower threshold may apply depending on your role)
• Meet the English language requirements
• Have passed the Life in the UK test
• Still be employed in your sponsored role

5 years continuous residence in the UK

A central requirement for an ILR application is meeting the 5-year continuous residence rule. For Skilled Worker visa holders, ‘continuous residence’ means being physically present in the UK for the qualifying period without lengthy gaps or absences. To meet this requirement, you must show that:

• You have completed 5 years on your Skilled Worker visa
• Your residence in the UK was lawful throughout
• Your absences did not exceed 180 days in any rolling 12-month period during the qualifying period

See our detailed guidance on continuous residence for ILR.

Meet the new salary requirements

When applying for ILR, you must provide evidence that you still meet the Skilled Worker visa minimum salary requirement. For applications made on or after 22 July 2025, you will need to meet the new minimum salary threshold of £41,700 per year, or the going rate for your job (whichever is higher). You can check your job’s going rate in Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupation.

You may be eligible to meet a lower salary requirement if:

• you work in healthcare or education: £25,000 per year or your job’s going rate, whichever is higher
• your job is on the Immigration Salary List: £33,400 per year or your job’s going rate, whichever is higher
• your Skilled Worker CoS was granted before 4 April 2024 and have held Skilled Worker visas since then: £31,300 per year or your job’s going rate, whichever is higher
• you have an International Sportsperson, T2 Sportsperson or Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa: at least £35,800 a year

With the new immigration rules, calculating the minimum salary requirement for ILR can be complex. For tailored advice, contact our immigration lawyers for a free consultation by calling 020 3744 2797 or filling in our enquiry form. 

Meet the English language requirements  

ILR applicants must show that they have an English language qualification at CEFR B1, B2, C1, or C2 level or have a degree that was taught or researched in English. You will not need to meet this requirement if you are over 65 years, have a long-term physical or mental condition, or if you are from a qualifying English-speaking country¹.

How to apply for ILR from Tier 2 / Skilled Worker visa

To apply for ILR as a Skilled Worker visa holder, you will need to complete the following steps:

1. Complete and submit the Tier 2 ILR application form² – note you can add your partner and children to your application if they’re eligible (see below)
2. Pay the required application fee
3. Upload any documents required by the Home Office (the Home Office will tell you which documents to provide) – such as you are still employed (e.g. letter from your employer), how much you are being paid (e.g. recent payslips), and pass certificates for your English language and Life in the UK tests.
4. Book and attend an appointment at a UKVCAS service point to have your photo taken and fingerprints scanned (your biometrics)

ILR applicants should remain in the UK until they receive a decision from the Home Office.

In most cases, ILR applications can take up to 6 months. If you would like a faster decision, you may be able to pay an extra £500 for a decision within 5 working days (priority service) or £1,000 for a decision within 1 working day (super priority service).

Can Tier 2 / Skilled Worker dependants apply for ILR?

As a Tier 2 or Skilled Worker visa holder with dependant family members in the UK, your partner and children will also be able to apply for ILR if they have also been in the UK for 5 or more continuous years. Your dependant partner must:

• Be in the UK as your partner on a dependant visa
• Have lived in the UK with you as your dependant for 5 or more continuous years
• Be in a genuine relationship with you

In addition, you will need to show that you intend to remain living together, you have sufficient income to support yourselves and your dependants, and you do not rely on public funds.

Your dependant child must:

• Be in the UK as your dependant
• Not be married
• Live with you (unless at university or boarding school)
• Not rely on public funds

In addition, you and your child’s other parent must both be applying to settle or already be settled.

References:

¹ GOV.UK: English language exemptions

² GOV.UK: Online application form for Tier 2 to ILR