Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for Work Visa Holders  

Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as a work visa holder can be a complex and detailed process, as it requires strict compliance with UK immigration rules. Any errors or omissions in an application may lead to delays or refusal. 

Sunrise Solicitors provides professional legal support to work visa holders seeking ILR. Our experienced immigration solicitors assess eligibility, identify potential issues at an early stage, and prepare applications in accordance with current Home Office requirements. We also offer free immigration advice to help individuals understand their options and the steps involved in the settlement process. Call us Today or book an appointment to receive tailored legal guidance from our immigration law specialists. 

What is ILR for work visa? 

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is a form of permanent immigration status that allows a non-British national to remain in the UK without any time limit on their stay. For work visa holders, ILR is the stage at which a person moves from temporary permission to stay to settled status under UK immigration law.  

Work visa holders on eligible routes, such as the Skilled Worker route and certain other sponsored employment categories, may apply for ILR after completing the required period of lawful and continuous residence in the UK, which varies depending on the specific visa route. 

Once ILR is granted, the individual is no longer required to extend or renew a work visa. ILR also forms the basis for a future application for British citizenship, subject to meeting the relevant legal requirements. 

What Is the Application Process for ILR for Work Visa Holders?

The application process for ILR for work visa holders involves submitting an application to the Home Office once the required qualifying period of lawful residence has been completed. The applicant must apply from within the UK before their current visa expires. 

As part of the process, the applicant must complete the relevant online ILR application form, pay the required application fee, and provide supporting documents to demonstrate eligibility. This includes evidence of lawful residence, compliance with visa conditions, employment details where required, and proof of meeting the Life in the UK Test and any applicable English language requirements. 

Applicants are also required to enrol their biometric information (fingerprints and photograph) as part of the application. Once submitted, the Home Office will assess the application against the Immigration Rules and make a decision, usually within the standard processing timeframe.

Most common ILR applications for work visa holders

The following routes lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under the current UK Immigration Rules, subject to meeting the relevant requirements: 

• ILR as a Skilled Worker  

• ILR as a Health and Care Worker  

• ILR as a T2 Minister of Religion or Tier 2 (Minister of Religion)

• ILR as an Innovator Founder (and existing Innovator visa holders)  

• ILR as a Global Talent Migrant  

• ILR as a Tier 1 Investor (for existing visa holders only, subject to the settlement deadline of 17 February 2028)

• ILR as a Sole Representative of an Overseas Business (for existing visa holders) 

What are the requirements for work visa ILR?

To apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, a work visa holder must have completed the required qualifying period of continuous and lawful residence in the UK on an eligible work route. 

The applicant must meet the suitability requirements and must not fall for refusal under Part Suitability, including applicable grounds relating to criminality or breaches of immigration law. 

Most applicants must pass the Life in the UK Test unless an exemption applies. They must also meet any English language requirement applicable to their specific settlement route, unless an exemption applies or the Immigration Rules provide that the requirement does not need to be demonstrated again. 

The applicant must ensure that absences from the UK during the qualifying period remain within the permitted limits. If these requirements are met, and any additional settlement requirements specific to the applicant’s work visa route are satisfied, an application for ILR may be made. 

What is the ILR application fee for work visa holders?  

The ILR application fee for work visa holders is £3,226 for the main applicant and each dependant applying from within the UK. 

Processing time for ILR Applications

According to the Home Office, applicants will usually receive a decision on an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application within six months of providing their biometric information. 

Are there any restrictions for ILR for work visa?

After being granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) through a work visa route, there are no restrictions on employment, study, or residence in the UK. However, certain legal conditions still apply in order to keep ILR status. 

An ILR holder must generally not remain outside the UK for more than two continuous years, as ILR may lapse if this absence limit is exceeded, subject to limited exceptions. This rule generally applies to individuals who obtained ILR through the work visa routes covered on this page. 

ILR may also be revoked if it was obtained by deception or in certain circumstances where the individual is liable to deportation but cannot be removed from the UK for legal reasons. ILR will also be invalidated if the individual is deported from the UK. 

How can Sunrise Solicitors help?

Sunrise Solicitors supports work visa holders throughout the ILR process by providing clear and reliable legal guidance tailored to each individual case. We assess eligibility, review employment and residence history, address any potential issues that could affect an application, and prepare and submit ILR applications in line with current Home Office requirements. Our solicitors also provide ongoing advice and representation where needed, helping clients navigate the settlement process with confidence and compliance.