If you have resided in the UK continuously with sponsored status for at least 5 years, you may be able to change your visa status from a Skilled Worker Visa to Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Visas for skilled workers can be issued for a term of up to five years at a time. At the conclusion of this visa period, you have the option of applying to have the duration of your visa extended or applying for indefinite leave to remain in the country.

The permanent settlement, which is often referred to as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), bestows upon those who apply for it the privilege of remaining in the United Kingdom for an indefinite period of time and the unrestricted ability to engage in a gainful job or further their education. The status of a permanent resident is required in order to be eligible for a British passport. This is due to the fact that candidates for naturalisation as British citizens are required to be settled in the United Kingdom.

How to gain ILR from a Skilled Worker visa?

You must prove that you satisfy the ILR standards in order to seek to change from a Skilled Worker Visa to an ILR status. Understanding these regulations will be essential for both visa holders and UK sponsors to ensure a seamless transition from a Skilled Worker visa to ILR once an applicant has been in the UK for five years. So that any application to transfer is approved and the employee may stay in the UK eternally, employers and migrants can coordinate in advance.

The conditions for skilled worker visa holders to apply for ILR are as follows:

Eligibility Requirements

Meeting the applicable qualifying term, demonstrating continuous residency, demonstrating proficiency in the English language and passing the ILR wage barrier are all prerequisites for eligibility.

• 5 years of continuous residence: A skilled worker immigrant may apply for settlement, or Indefinite Leave to Remain (or “ILR”), after 5 years of lawful residence in the UK, the most recent 3 of which were spent as a skilled worker.
• Valid Sponsor License: Before applying for ILR as a migrant skilled worker, the candidate must satisfy a number of requirements, including having a valid sponsor licence. The present sponsor must still possess a valid Sponsor licence for the applicable category, which is a crucial condition to be aware of (or have an application for renewal under consideration by the Home Office).
• Meet the salary requirements: Satisfy the wage requirements If you have a skilled worker visa, you often need to be paid a minimum wage. Typically, you must get a salary that is at least equal to the highest of the following:
•  An annual income of £25,600
• Income of minimum of £10.10 per hour
• The going rate for the kind of job you are doing. (each occupation code has its own annual going rate.)
• Life in the UK test: All applicants are required to have a strong command of the English language and to have completed the Life in the UK test.

Standards for suitability

Meeting the general grounds to remain in the UK is important in order to upgrade your Skilled Worker visa to Indefinite Leave to Remain. An application may be rejected even though all validity and eligibility standards have been satisfied if the applicant is deemed unsuitable for ILR.

This may be due to:

• In their application, the applicant provided inaccurate or erroneous information.
• The candidate either has a criminal history in the UK or another nation.
• The applicant has violated UK immigration laws, such as having overstayed their visa.

Requirements for validity

This refers to obeying the ILR application and process rules. You must make sure all your documents are updated and submit the same for verification. The application must satisfy each of the following validity conditions in order to properly transition from Skilled Worker to ILR status:

• Any charge has to be paid.
• The candidate must have supplied any biometric data.
• To prove their identity and nationality, the applicant must have presented a current passport or other kinds of travel documentation, and
• Additionally, the applicant must be present in the UK on the application date.

Any application that does not adhere to these guidelines will be deemed void for settlement as a skilled worker. This implies that the application could be turned down and ignored.

These are referred to as general reasons for rejection. However, due to the length and complexity of these regulations, it is usually advisable to consult a lawyer before submitting an application. Prior to applying, it is advisable to get advice on any other potential problems, such as whether applicants have already reached or are on the verge of exceeding the maximum number of permitted absences and what supporting documents should be offered.

How to complete an ILR application for skilled workers?

No earlier than 28 days before the conclusion of the qualifying residence period, a skilled worker must apply online to change their status from skilled worker to indefinite leave to remain. The application must be made using the designated form, “Settle in the UK in various immigration categories: Form SET(O),” which may be found on the GOV.UK website.

Before applying, a candidate should always confirm their eligibility. If they are qualified, they may discover online instructions on how to complete their application and the supporting documentation they must provide. This will contain the applicant’s passport or other valid travel documents that adequately verify their identity and nationality, as well as documentation from their UK sponsor demonstrating their employment and compensation. Evidence of any absences outside the UK that last more than 180 days should also be included.

A biometric residence permit application is a part of an ILR application. After submitting an application, the applicant must provide their biometric data, which includes a digital photo of their face and a fingerprint scan.

Within six months, the petitioner should learn whether or not they have been awarded ILR. Where the application is complicated, this might take longer. It may be necessary to verify their supporting papers, they may need to go through an interview, or it may be necessary due to their unique circumstances, such as the fact that they have been convicted of a crime.

Contact A Y & J Solicitors for assistance

As part of our ILR service, we will fully assist you in preparing your application for submission to the Home Office and will walk you through the whole procedure. Our committed immigration attorneys have a proven track record of expertly managing and completing all UK visa applications, and extensions, advising on UK settlement possibilities.