Your pathway to ILR (Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visas): requirements, costs and what to do now

ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain, or "settlement") lets you live and work in the UK with no time limit, and it's the step before British citizenship. Here's how it works under today's rules for Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visa holders. 💚 The requirements • 5 years living and working in the UK. Time on different qualifying work visas can be added together. Time as a dependant doesn't count. • No more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months. • Salary: usually the higher of £41,700 or your job's going rate. Healthcare and care roles have separate salary rules (floors of £25,000 or £31,300 depending on your job and sponsorship date), so check your occupation code on GOV.UK. • Your employer must confirm you're still needed in the job and will still meet the salary after you get ILR. • Life in the UK Test, if you're 18 to 64. • English: for this route you don't send separate evidence now, because you proved it at visa stage. Heads-up: a higher English level (B2) is confirmed for settlement applications from 26 March 2027, so if your date falls after that, check GOV.UK early. The costs (per person) • ILR application: £3,226 (partner and children can be on the same form; each pays) • Life in the UK Test: £50 • Biometrics: no fee • Optional faster decision: +£500 (5 working days) or +£1,000 (next working day) • Usual decision: within 6 months of your biometrics Must do now 1. Work out your earliest date. You can apply no more than 28 days before your 5-year point. Don't wait for your visa to expire; if it will expire first, renew it. 2. Count your days abroad over every rolling 12 months, and keep a travel log. 3. Book the Life in the UK Test: 24 questions in 45 minutes, studying only the official Guide for New Residents. Book at least 3 days ahead. Your name must exactly match your ID. 4. Ask your employer for the sponsor confirmation document. 5. After you apply, don't leave the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you have a decision, or your application is withdrawn. Still only proposed: the 10-year "earned settlement" model is not law. Until new rules are published, the 5-year route applies. Sources: gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain-tier-2-t2-skilled-worker-visa gov.uk/life-in-the-uk-test gov.uk/government/consultations/earned-settlement General information only, not legal advice. Rules change, so always check the official source. Where are you on the ILR journey: planning, preparing, or applying? (Please don't share personal case details.)