Switching from a Skilled Worker Visa to ILR: Updated 2025 Step-by-Step Guide

If you’ve been working in the UK under the Skilled Worker Visa, your next big goal is likely Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) — also known as permanent residency.

From 2025 onwards, several rule updates have come into effect that affect both the qualifying period and salary thresholds for Skilled Worker visa holders.

This comprehensive guide explains how to switch from Skilled Worker to ILR, what documents you’ll need, and how to avoid common refusal reasons.

At AHJ Immigration, we help professionals and families complete this final step toward settlement with confidence and accuracy.

What Is ILR and Why It Matters

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) allows you to:

• Live and work in the UK without visa restrictions
• Access benefits and healthcare
• Sponsor eligible family members
• Apply for British Citizenship after 12 months (in most cases)

It’s the final step before citizenship — and one of the most important immigration milestones for Skilled Worker visa holders.

Eligibility: Who Can Apply for ILR After a Skilled Worker Visa

To qualify for ILR, you must meet the following conditions:

• Have lived continuously in the UK for 5 years under a valid Skilled Worker Visa
• Be employed by an approved sponsor when you apply
• Continue to meet the minimum salary threshold (updated for 2025)
• Have no serious breaches of immigration laws
• Pass the Life in the UK Test and meet English language requirements

Updated Salary Thresholds for ILR (2025)

As of 2025, the minimum salary requirement for ILR has been updated to align with the new Skilled Worker framework.

Tip: If your salary falls slightly short, your employer may issue a new Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) with updated pay before your ILR application.

Continuous Residence Requirement

You must have completed 5 years of lawful residence under a combination of eligible visas, such as:

• Skilled Worker
• Tier 2 (General)
• Health and Care Worker

You cannot include time spent under:

• Student Visa
• Graduate Visa
• Visitor or other temporary categories

Absence limit:
No more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period.

Keep records such as flight tickets or work assignments to prove legitimate absences (business trips, compassionate reasons, etc.).

Documents You’ll Need for the Application

Prepare the following before applying:

1. Passport and Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
2. Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) confirmation letter
3. Payslips and bank statements for the last 6 months
4. Employer letter confirming ongoing employment and salary
5. Life in the UK Test pass certificate
6. English language test (B1 or above) or degree taught in English
7. Proof of continuous residence (travel records, tenancy, bills)

Application Process: Step-by-Step

Step 1 – Check eligibility

Use the official Home Office ILR checker or consult an OISC adviser.
If unsure about absences or salary, resolve them before applying.

Step 2 – Gather documents

Start collecting your payslips, tax returns, and letters at least 3 months in advance.
Errors in dates or mismatched job titles are common causes of refusal.

Step 3 – Submit online application

Go to the Home Office portal and select “Settle in the UK on a Work Route (ILR)”.
Complete your form and pay the £2,885 application fee (as of 2025).

Step 4 – Book biometrics

Attend a UKVCAS centre for fingerprints and photos.
You can upload documents online before your appointment.

Step 5 – Wait for a decision

• Standard service: Up to 6 months
• Priority: 5 working days (£500 extra)
• Super Priority: Next working day (£1,000 extra)

Common Reasons Skilled Worker ILR Applications Get Refused

1. Gaps in residence (missing months or excessive absences)
2. Salary below threshold at time of application
3. Incorrect SOC code or expired Certificate of Sponsorship
4. Documents not matching payroll or tax records
5. Incomplete proof of English or Life in the UK Test
6. Late submission or expired BRP

Even small clerical errors can cause rejection. Always double-check every detail.

Dependants: Can Your Family Apply with You?

Yes — your spouse and children can apply for ILR at the same time if:

• They’ve lived in the UK as your dependants for 5 years, and
• You all still meet the relationship and cohabitation requirements.

If your family members joined later, they can apply separately once they complete their own 5-year residence.

Switching from Skilled Worker to ILR: Timeline Example

Apply no earlier than 28 days before completing your 5-year stay.

Can You Combine Skilled Worker Time with Other Visas?

You can combine periods from:

• Tier 2 (General)
• Skilled Worker
• Health and Care Worker

But you cannot combine with:

• Student, Graduate, or Youth Mobility visas.

Always confirm with your adviser before assuming eligibility.

What Happens After ILR Is Granted

Once approved, you’ll receive:

• A digital immigration status (eVisa system replacing BRP)
• Permission to live and work in the UK without restrictions
• The right to apply for British Citizenship after 12 months

Keep your status details safe, as they will replace physical BRPs by the end of 2025.

How AHJ Immigration Can Help

At AHJ Immigration, we’ve helped numerous Skilled Worker visa holders secure ILR and settle permanently in the UK.

Our team provides:

• Full eligibility checks and salary assessments
• Application preparation and document reviews
• Fast-track guidance for priority submissions
• Dependants and family support

💬 Book your consultation: https://ahjimmigration.co.uk/book-consultation

Switching from a Skilled Worker Visa to ILR is a major achievement — but also a complex process that demands accuracy and preparation.

With the new 2025 rules, even minor mistakes in salary evidence or timing can result in costly delays.
Working with a qualified OISC adviser ensures your case is compliant, clear, and correctly submitted.

Take control of your future in the UK — start planning your ILR application today.