Immigrationboards.com

Dear all,

Just to give some information

I was on Tier 4 visa and started a SWV job on 15 September 2020 (Cos dates 15 September 202-14 September 2025)

Cos issue 4 September 2020
Applied to Tier 2 11 September 2020
Started Job 15 September 2020
Visa received 20 October 2020
Visa expires 28 September 2025

I had a fast visa result as had an ill wife in my home country.

My questions are can I apply to ILR now through use of Covid concession as I started to work on 15 September 2020? My dependants came in May 2021 so I assume they need to apply for 3 year dependant visa the same time as me? I am confused because 1 barrister I met told me that the concession is not applicable as I got my visa within 8 weeks the other told me that it is applicable.

Thank you!

COS issue date is irrelevant. The qualifying period is counted from your first visa application date as per COVID concessions in place. The 28-day concession means you will be eligible for ILR (i.e. ILR can be granted) within 28 days of completing your 5 years. The date of ILR application is also largely irrelevant as the date of ILR decision determines it all. Your dependants apply separately when eligible in 2026.

Read: Applicants can benefit from the date of the ILR decision

There is no 8 week limit and any other nonsensical rubbish like that.
I would not waste time on barristers who do not even know the official guide is clearly telling you about this. Here is the concession in place:

Due to major disruption to UKVI services during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tier 2
(General) and Skilled Worker applicants in the UK were permitted to start work for
their sponsors while waiting for decisions on their applications. This time while they
were waiting, but able to work, also counts towards the continuous 5-year period.
The applicant must have been in the UK with permission (including as a visitor or
with Exceptional Assurance), and the application must have been:

• for permission to stay
• made between 24 January 2020 and 30 June 2021 (inclusive)
• supported by a CoS on the date of application
• granted

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... worker.pdf

Thank you so much zimba! I am just amazed (in a bad way) how people in the area are lack of this knowledge.

So I could have apples to ILR by now it seems.

Unfortunately my dependants' visa also expires on 28 September and as they came later will not qualify for ILR with me. Therefore I assume they need to apply for 3 year dependant extension the same time as I do?

Thank you again!

Your dependants should apply for an extension before visa expiry

Thank you so much! I assume we can apply at the same time?

How to contribute to this website as it is very useful.

Your applications are separate so it does not matter if you apply at the same time or not. For legal reasons, we cannot accept any contributions

Dear zimba thank you very much.

One last questions please. If I could not have benefited from the Covid concession, could have still applied after 22 September using the 28 day rule? Although my visa ends on 28 September 2025, and my 5 year would be fulfilled on 20 October 2025. The problem is I do not have a visa after 28 September but the dates between 22 September and 28 September fall within the 28 day rule.

Yes because section 3C applies and the date of ILR decision is all that matters.

READ this: All you need to know about applying early, the application date, 28-day concession and more

Thank you so much. So even ı will have a a valid visa between 28 September and 20 October I can still beenfıt from the 28 day rule?

Thank you again very much zimba!

Yes

Thank you. I meant not to have a valid visa between 28 September and 20 October.

lastminute007 wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 04, 2025 2:03 pm

Thank you. I meant not to have a valid visa between 28 September and 20 October.

There will be no such visa gap. Read the advice under the link above and try to understand section 3C !!

Thank you so much zimba!

Dear Zimba I will be applying for Set (o) and dependants for three years extension. Date of entry UK is when I varied my visa application from Tier 4 extension (applied 27 August) to Tier 2 (11 September)? Thank you.

lastminute007 wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 09, 2025 4:34 pm

Dear Zimba I will be applying for Set (o) and dependants for three years extension. Date of entry UK is when I varied my visa application from Tier 4 extension (applied 27 August) to Tier 2 (11 September)? Thank you.

The date of entry is when you first entered the UK. The answer to that question has no relevance to calculation of qualifying period for your ILR