Clarification on COVID Concession (ICT-SKW) and Dependent Application

Hello all,

I’d really appreciate some clarification on a few points regarding the COVID period concession.

I originally came to UK on ICT visa in 2019. Then switched to Skilled Worker visa, which I applied for in 10 May 2021 (Fee payment date) and was approved on 8th June 2021 (same date show in BRP as Date of Issue).

However, my new job under this visa started on 1st August 2021 (Had 90 days notice period).

According to the covid concession in case worker guidance, eligibility applies to those who applied between 1st January 2021 and 30th June 2021. Since my application and approval both fell within this period, but my work started about two months later, am I still eligible for the COVID period concession? I was not working for my SKW sponsor, but was working with with my previous ICT sponsor only during my notice period.

It says

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.

Also, I have a dependent child. When we applied for the Skilled Worker visa, we submitted and received approval together.

Can myself and my child apply for ILR together or is the concession only applicable to the main applicant?

Just hoping to plan early if the ILR rule doesn't change by then

Thank you!

Work start date is irrelevant for ILR. The rules mention this so-called concession for main applicants only but some reported that when applied with their dependants they all got ILR together. Also note that your child can only get ILR with you if the other parent is setting too or is already settled, as children cannot settle when only one parent settles

zimba wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 06, 2025 12:25 pm

Work start date is irrelevant for ILR. The rules mention this so-called concession for main applicants only but some reported that when applied with their dependants they all got ILR together. Also note that your child can only get ILR with you if the other parent is setting too or is already settled, as children cannot settle when only one parent settles

Thanks for the update.

So, I assume I could apply on 10th April 2026? Yeah, the other parent is settled. We both have separate sponsors and the child is my dependent.

Can we send a mail to home office and ask for clarification on this matter? Do they respond normally?

In that case, what more clarifications do you need ??
You are the main applicant and can benefit from the concession. Your child is entitled to be settled with you and the concession has no relevance there. Children do not have any residence requirement, they simply settle when both parents settle so the COVID concession is irrelevant.

Apply in April 2026 and you are good to go

zimba wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 06, 2025 1:34 pm

In that case, what more clarifications do you need ??
You are the main applicant and can benefit from the concession. Your child is entitled to be settled with you and the concession has no relevance there. Children do not have any residence requirement, they simply settle when both parents settle so the COVID concession is irrelevant.

Apply in April 2026 and you are good to go

Oh.. great.. Thanks for the clarification and sorry for the late response.

I want to make sure about this point:

"but some reported that when applied with their dependants they all got ILR together"

Thanks for the confirmation. Very much appreciate and thanks for being a great support to everyone in the community

rylandgrace wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 12, 2025 10:45 pm

zimba wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 06, 2025 1:34 pm

In that case, what more clarifications do you need ??
You are the main applicant and can benefit from the concession. Your child is entitled to be settled with you and the concession has no relevance there. Children do not have any residence requirement, they simply settle when both parents settle so the COVID concession is irrelevant.

Apply in April 2026 and you are good to go

Oh.. great.. Thanks for the clarification and sorry for the late response.

I want to make sure about this point:

"but some reported that when applied with their dependants they all got ILR together"

Thanks for the confirmation. Very much appreciate and thanks for being a great support to everyone in the community

Not relevant to you as you have no dependant spouse, just a child