Skilled Worker to ILR: Timeline

Updated 27 March 202612 min read

What you need to know

The Skilled Worker to ILR route takes 5 years of continuous residence. You must maintain valid sponsorship throughout, meet the salary threshold at the time of your ILR application, pass the Life in the UK test, prove English at B1 level, and not have been absent for more than 180 days in any 12-month period. Transitional salary arrangements apply for visa holders who were granted leave before April 2024.

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The 5-Year Timeline

The Skilled Worker visa is typically granted for up to 5 years at a time. To reach ILR, you need 5 years of continuous residence in the UK on this route (or its predecessor, Tier 2 General). Here is the typical timeline:

  • Year 0 — Initial Visa: Your employer sponsors you on a Skilled Worker visa. You begin accumulating qualifying residence.
  • Years 1-4 — Working and Residing: You work for your sponsor, maintain continuous residence, and ensure your salary meets the threshold. If you change employers, each new employer must sponsor you.
  • Before visa expiry — Extension (if needed): If your initial visa was granted for less than 5 years, you will need to extend before it expires.
  • Year 5 — ILR Application: Once you have completed 5 years of continuous residence, you can apply for ILR.

Salary Thresholds

The salary threshold for Skilled Worker ILR has changed significantly. The threshold that applies to you depends on when your visa was first granted.

New Applicants (Visa Granted From April 2024)

If your Skilled Worker visa was first granted from April 2024 onwards, the salary threshold for ILR is the higher of:

  • £38,700 per year (general threshold), or
  • The going rate for your specific occupation code

Transitional Arrangements (Visa Granted Before April 2024)

If you were granted your Skilled Worker or Tier 2 visa before April 2024, transitional salary thresholds may apply. These are generally lower than the new thresholds. The exact transitional rate depends on your occupation code and when your visa was granted.

Check the GOV.UK Skilled Worker page for the specific going rate for your occupation code and whether transitional arrangements apply to you.

What If Your Salary Is Below the Threshold?

If your salary at the time of your ILR application is below the required threshold, your application will be refused. See our ILR refusal guide for what to do. Options include negotiating a pay increase, finding a higher-paying role with a new sponsor, or waiting until your salary meets the requirement.

Continuous Residence

You must maintain continuous residence throughout the 5-year qualifying period. The key rule is that you must not be absent from the UK for more than 180 days in any rolling 12-month period.

Permitted absences that do not break continuous residence include:

  • Business trips abroad on behalf of your UK employer (within reason)
  • Annual leave and holidays
  • Family emergencies

However, all absences count toward the 180-day total, regardless of the reason. The only exceptions are for Crown service (military or diplomatic postings abroad) and certain compassionate circumstances, which require evidence.

Keep a detailed travel log from day one. Record every trip with exact dates of departure and return.

Changing Employers During the Qualifying Period

You can change employers during the 5-year qualifying period without resetting the clock, provided:

  • Each new employer holds a valid sponsor licence
  • Your new employer issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for you
  • You apply for a new Skilled Worker visa with the new employer before starting work
  • The new role meets the salary threshold and skill level requirements

Gaps between employers can be problematic. If your sponsorship ends and you do not have a new sponsor lined up, you have 60 days to find one. If you cannot, your visa may be curtailed. Plan job changes carefully to avoid gaps.

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Documents for the ILR Application

Your Skilled Worker ILR application requires comprehensive documentation. For the full list, see our ILR documents checklist. Key documents specific to this route include:

  • Current passport and BRP
  • Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
  • Employer letter confirming current salary, job title, and start date
  • Payslips for the most recent 12 months
  • P60 certificates for each complete tax year
  • Contract of employment
  • Life in the UK test pass notification
  • English language evidence at B1 level
  • Absence record for the full 5-year period

Life in the UK Test and English Language

You must pass the Life in the UK test before applying for ILR. Book and pass this test well in advance of your planned application date.

For English language, you need CEFR B1 level. The good news is that the Skilled Worker visa already requires B1 English, so if you passed a SELT at B1 or above for your visa application and it is still valid, you can use the same result. If your test has expired (most SELT results are valid for 2 years), you will need to take a new test. See our English language guide.

Redundancy and Sponsorship Issues

Losing your job on a Skilled Worker visa is stressful because your visa is tied to your employer. Here is what happens:

  • Your sponsor reports the change: Your employer is legally required to report to UKVI when your employment ends.
  • 60-day grace period: You have 60 days (or until your visa expires, whichever is shorter) to find a new sponsor and submit a new visa application.
  • During the grace period: You can work for your new employer once you have submitted your new Skilled Worker visa application (under Section 3C leave, if your visa has not yet expired).
  • If you cannot find a new sponsor: You must leave the UK, switch to another visa route if eligible, or explore other options with legal advice.

The time spent looking for a new sponsor does not count against your continuous residence, provided you remain in the UK. However, if your visa is curtailed and you do not make a new application, you could become an overstayer. See our overstaying guide.

After ILR

Once you receive ILR, you are no longer tied to a specific employer. You can:

  • Work for any employer without sponsorship
  • Be self-employed or start a business
  • Access public funds and benefits
  • Apply for British citizenship after 12 months

However, remember that ILR can be lost if you spend more than 2 continuous years outside the UK. If you plan extended time abroad, consider applying for citizenship first, as citizenship cannot be lost through absence. See our ILR vs citizenship comparison.

Planning Your Route to ILR

Start planning for ILR from the moment you receive your Skilled Worker visa:

  1. Keep a travel log recording every absence from the UK with exact dates
  2. Save all payslips, P60s, and employment contracts
  3. Monitor your salary against the threshold for your occupation code
  4. Book and pass the Life in the UK test at least 3 months before your planned ILR application
  5. Check whether your English language test is still valid and retake if needed
  6. Request a Subject Access Request for your travel history if your passport lacks stamps
  7. Apply for ILR at least 28 days before your visa expires to allow processing time

This guide is general information, not immigration advice. Immigration rules change frequently. For advice on your specific situation, consult an OISC-registered adviser or immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the latest rules.

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