When can I apply for indefinite leave to remain on a Skilled Worker visa, and what does it cost?

Checked on 2026-10-25

A Skilled Worker can apply for indefinite leave to remain after 5 continuous years in the UK, from 28 days before reaching 5 years. You must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months, must meet the Life in the UK and salary requirements, and pay a fee of £3,226.

Key facts

What	The rules say	Source
Qualifying period	A continuous 5 years in the UK with permission (not as a dependant) on Skilled Worker or other listed routes	Immigration Rules, Appendix Skilled Worker, SW 21.1–21.2
Absences	No more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period	Appendix Continuous Residence, CR 3.1
Earliest application	28 days before you reach 5 years	GOV.UK Skilled Worker ILR guide, When to apply; Appendix Continuous Residence, CR 1.1
Salary	Sponsor confirms it still needs you; in most cases at least £41,700 a year and the going rate (lower thresholds in some cases)	Appendix Skilled Worker, SW 24.1–24.3
Life in the UK	Must meet Appendix KOL UK; the guide says ages 18–64 must pass the test	SW 23.1; GOV.UK guide
English	No new proof now; from 26 March 2027, B2 in speaking and listening unless exempt	GOV.UK guide; SW 22A.1
Fee	£3,226 per person	Home Office fees table, 8 October 2026
Decision	Usually within 6 months of biometrics; priority £500 extra, super priority £1,000 extra	GOV.UK guide, Fees and how long it takes

The 5 years

Appendix Skilled Worker requires a continuous 5-year period in the UK. It can combine time on Skilled Worker with Global Talent, Innovator Founder, T2 Minister of Religion, International Sportsperson, Representative of an Overseas Business, Tier 1 (except Graduate Entrepreneur) and Scale-up, but not time as a dependant (SW 21.2).

Appendix Continuous Residence counts the period back from whichever is best for you: the date of application, any date up to 28 days after it, or the date of decision (CR 1.1). That is why GOV.UK says the earliest you can apply is 28 days before you reach 5 years; applying earlier may lead to refusal.

Time abroad

To keep continuous residence, you must not be outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period (CR 3.1). This is a different and stricter test than the 450-day total used later for citizenship.

Your most recent sponsor must still be licensed on the date of decision and must confirm it needs you for the foreseeable future and pays you at least the required salary (SW 24.1–24.2). In most cases that is at least £41,700 a year and the going rate for the job; the table in SW 24.3 sets lower general thresholds in some cases, for example £33,400 for jobs on the Immigration Salary List.

English: a change from 26 March 2027

GOV.UK currently says you do not need to prove English again when settling from a Skilled Worker visa. The rules already include a new requirement: for applications made on or after 26 March 2027, you must show English at CEFR level B2 in speaking and listening, unless an exemption applies (SW 22A.1).

While you wait

GOV.UK says you must not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision, or your application will be withdrawn.

Reform under discussion

The Home Office ran a consultation called “Earned settlement” (closed 13 February 2026), saying settlement will no longer be granted automatically after a fixed period and migrants will need to earn it. The Immigration Rules on GOV.UK, as published on the date of this page, still set the 5-year period above.

Sources

Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Worker, paras SW 19.1–24.3 (GOV.UK) checked 2026-10-25
Immigration Rules Appendix Continuous Residence, paras CR 1.1 and 3.1 (GOV.UK) checked 2026-10-25
GOV.UK: Indefinite leave to remain if you have a Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, T2 or Tier 2 visa, section "Eligibility" (UK Visas and Immigration) checked 2026-10-25
Home Office immigration and nationality fees, 8 October 2026 (GOV.UK) checked 2026-10-25
GOV.UK: Earned settlement, consultation (Home Office, closed 13 February 2026) checked 2026-10-25

Change history

2026-10-25: Page created

This is general information, not legal advice, and Lumen is not a law firm. Rules change and offices differ: check the official sources above before you act. Found something wrong or out of date? Write to support@lumen.observer.