Earliest date for ILR application

Hi All,

I m planning to apply ILR soon through dependant tier 2/skilled worker route, however I m confused in calculating my earliest eligibility.

My first BRP issue date which show on the BRP card "place and Date of issue" : 18/05/2021

Visa sticker date was valid from 01/06/2021 to 30/08/2021

Physical entry was 01/06/2021

Given the latest policy changes about dependent would need to be calculated separately, I want to apply the ILR ASAP.

I m not sure which date to use to count for the earliest application If choose brp date then I can apply from 20/04/2026 considering the 28 days period (please correct of wrong).

Or should I use the visa or physical entry date-28 days to apply.

Also, my hushand is now a british citizen so not sure if I am still under the "dependent of work visa" route in the proposed policy...

Please guide.
Many thanks.

You should use the BRP issue date. Your date of entry is irrelevant.
Apply using form SET(O) as a skilled worker dependant

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

DO NOT apply using form SET(M) if you are a dependent of someone under a work related route

zimba wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 23, 2025 1:49 am

You should use the BRP issue date. Your date of entry is irrelevant.
Apply using form SET(O) as a skilled worker dependant

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

DO NOT apply using form SET(M) if you are a dependent of someone under a work related route

Thank you so much for your response, Zimba.
If I use the BRP issue date, then earliest she can apply is 20/04/2026 considering the 28 days period.

Given the current policy proposed changes, I might be impacted as the policy might start acting from April 2026 which the ILR period will be calculated separately from my partner, which is something really worrying.

My second question is from the section 23.1 Qualifying period of Skilled Worker visa: caseworker guidance, I am aware of some skilled worker ILR application can use the application date during the covid-19 pandemic. I applied the dependent skilled worker visa during April 2021 which within the period between 24 January 2020 and 30 June 2021 as stated in the guidance. Would this covid exception applies to my dependent visa ? Thank you.

I cannot comment on any potential changes that may happen in the future. Advice can only be given based on the current rules. The COVID concession only applies to the main applicants as per the rules, however many reported that when applied together, they got ILR

zimba wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 23, 2025 4:17 pm

I cannot comment on any potential changes that may happen in the future. Advice can only be given based on the current rules. The COVID concession only applies to the main applicants as per the rules, however many reported that when applied together, they got ILR

Thanks Zimba. Appreciate it.
When you said many reported that when they applied together, they got ILR. Do you have the link of those who shared this case? And I wonder from their case, the main applicant and the dependent applied the skilled worker visa and dependent visa together as a whole family. Such that they could applied the ILR at the same time using the covid concession.
As my partner already became british citizen 2 years ago, so we didn't apply both the skilled worker visa and dependent at the same time, so not sure whether I can use this COVID concession.

Here is one case where the dependant got ILR on their own: viewtopic.php?t=354494#p2194662

zimba wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 24, 2025 1:30 am

Here is one case where the dependant got ILR on their own: viewtopic.php?t=354494#p2194662

Thank you for your information, Zimba.
But majority of their cases are the main applicant did apply the work visa during between 24 January 2020 and 30 June 2021 (inclusive) as stated in the casework guidance. However, for my case here is our details.

my partner : work visa granted : Sept 2017
ILR approved: 2022
Became British citizen : 2023


Myself as Dependant of my partner's work visa
Visa approval letter date: 21 April 2021
First BRP issue date : 18 May 2021
Visa sticker date was valid from 01/06/2021 to 30/08/2021
Physical entry was 01 June 2021

From the 28-day concession, I can apply as early as on 20 April 2026, however, given that the changes are expected from April 2026. Can I also apply it earlier given the COVID concession, i.e. apply it based on the visa approval date (21 April 2021)? Given that my partner (main applicant actually didn't apply the work visa during the COVID concession period).

My second question, I came across other topics that I can apply the ILR in March 2026 but book the biometric in April 2026 instead, which date would the home office consider as the application date? is it the submission date or the biometric date? Thank you so much.

The dependants do not benefit from the date of application as there is no COVID concession. That has always been the case.

The 28-day concession is NOT about when to apply.

Please read the advice given as I explained everything in detail

Read --> All you need to know about applying early, the application date, 28-day concession and more