~Skilled Worker - Settlement
ILR for Skilled Worker & Tier 2 Holders
5-Year Route to UK Settlement
Applying for ILR for Skilled Worker & Tier 2 Holders allows eligible individuals to secure permanent UK residence after five years of continuous stay.
Why Apply for Settlement?
Obtaining Indefinite Leave to Remain grants permanent residence in the UK, removing sponsor ties and the ongoing need for visa extensions.
Key Eligibility Criteria
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Continuous Residence: You must complete 5 years of continuous residence without exceeding 180 days of absence in any rolling 12-month period.
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Employer Sponsorship: Your sponsor must provide an official letter confirming they still require you for the foreseeable future at or above the settlement salary threshold.
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Current Immigration Rules: Salary thresholds and eligibility requirements are assessed against the active Home Office rules on your application date.
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Combined Qualifying Time: Time spent on a Tier 2 (General) visa can be combined with time on a Skilled Worker visa toward your 5-year timeline, provided your leave remained continuous.
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Application Form: Settlement applications under this route must be submitted online using the SET(O) form up to 28 days before completing your qualifying period.
Continuous Residence & Absence Calculator
Track your trips outside the UK to ensure you don't breach the 180-day rolling absence limit for ILR.
~Requirements
STILL CURRENT – NOT YET CHANGED
A move to a 10-year standard qualifying period has been proposed and consulted on, with the consultation closing in February 2026. As of now, final Immigration Rules implementing that change have not been published—5 Year Route to Settlement UK remains the current requirement for securing ILR for Skilled Worker & Tier 2 Holders. We will update this guidance immediately if Home Office policy changes.
What has to be true to qualify.
~Fees
What ILR costs.
~Documents
~Our Process
Four steps, start to finish.
~FAQ
Frequently asked.
| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION | ANSWER & DETAILS |
|---|---|
| When should I apply for ILR for Skilled Worker & Tier 2 Holders? | You can submit your application up to 28 days before completing your qualifying 5-year period. Applying earlier than this 28-day window can result in an immediate refusal with no Home Office fee refund. |
| What form do I use for ILR for Skilled Worker & Tier 2 Holders? | You must complete and submit the online SET(O) application form. This covers work route settlement, including the transition from former Tier 2 (General) permissions. |
| Can I combine Tier 2 (General) and Skilled Worker visa time for ILR? | Yes, time spent under Tier 2 (General) counts towards securing ILR for Skilled Worker & Tier 2 Holders alongside your Skilled Worker visa, provided your residence has remained continuous. |
| How are salary thresholds assessed for ILR for Skilled Worker & Tier 2 Holders? | Salary rules are checked fresh on your application date against active Home Office rules. Your employer must confirm you are paid at or above the relevant going rate for your SOC code. |
| Do I still need an employer sponsor for settlement? | Yes, your sponsor must provide an official letter confirming they still require you for the foreseeable future at or above the required settlement salary threshold when submitting an application for ILR for Skilled Worker & Tier 2 Holders. |
| What is the maximum allowed absences outside the UK? | To qualify for ILR for Skilled Worker & Tier 2 Holders, you must not exceed 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period across your 5-year qualifying period. |