A skilled worker can apply for an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) by living in the UK for at least 5 years with a UK Skilled Worker Visa. With an ILR, you get a permanent settlement in the UK, allowing you to live and work indefinitely without limitations. As a skilled worker in the country, you must apply for an FLR (Further Leave to Remain) to extend your visa. With a FLR, you can remain in the country for an extended period before gaining eligibility for an ILR.
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Eligibility Criteria for Skilled Workers to Apply for a UK ILR
To be eligible for an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as a Skilled worker, you must fulfill the below list of criteria:
- Meet the residency requirements: Live and work in the UK for 5 years
- Salary criteria: Fulfill the salary requirements
- £25,600 per year
- £10.10 per hour
- Salary must align the ‘going rate’ for the type of work you do
- Job requirements: You must continue working the job while also meeting the salary requirements even after getting the ILR.
- Life in the UK test: You must clear the Life in the UK test if you aged between 18-65
*To know more about the UK ILR, also read…
How do you switch from a Skilled Worker Visa to ILR?
The decision to switch from a Skilled Worker Visa to an ILR cannot be granted sooner than 28 days before reaching the 5-year residence period.
You can refer to the below steps to apply to switch from a Skilled Worker visa to an ILR:
Step 1: Submit an online application to swap from a Skilled Worker to ILR
Step 2: Schedule an appointment for re-submission of the biometrics
Step 3: Gather the required documents, including an active passport, travel document, and a confirmation letter from your employer or sponsor in the UK, as well as pay slips.
Step 4: Submit the requirements
Step 5: Wait for the application status, which may take up to 6 months.
*To know more about the UK Visa options for Indians that lead to an ILR, you may also read…
ILR Processing Fee & Time
The Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) costs around £2,885 per applicant. You can expect to receive a decision on your ILR application within 6 months. To get a faster decision on your application, you can opt for priority processing by paying an additional fee of £500 and £1,000 for super-priority processing.
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