Salary requirement for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Application Set O

Thank you, Appreciate your response!

Sp1190 wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 23, 2025 2:54 pm

Dear Zimba,

Thank you for your response.

Based on your explanation, if the date of the ILR application is not a critical factor, would it be acceptable for me to submit my application early at the end of March 2026 to remain under the current ILR rules, for example, on 31st March 2026? I would then delay the biometric appointment by 45 working days, which would fall around 5th June 2026, and opt for the priority service. This way, I could potentially receive the ILR decision by 8th or 9th June 2026.

For reference, my first BRP was issued on 21st June 2021. Considering the 5-year qualifying period minus 28 days, my qualifying date would be 24th May 2026.

Do you think this approach is appropriate and relevant?

Thank you for your guidance.

Dear Zimba,

Thank you for all your guidance, if I follow this approach and is it Ok, to go for priority service and get decision by 8th or 9th June 2026(Considering the 5-year qualifying period minus 28 days, my qualifying date would be 24th May 2026.) or decision should come after 21st June 2026(5 years to my first visa issues/BRP date)?

Many Thanks

What is the 28-day concession ?

The 28-day concession means you will be eligible for ILR (i.e. ILR can be granted) within 28 days of completing your qualifying period.
In a nutshell, this means you can get ILR without fully completing your full qualifying period.
This is a procedural concession offered by UKVI that applies to all ILR applications. It is not part of the immigration rule

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

zimba wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 01, 2026 11:04 pm

What is the 28-day concession ?

The 28-day concession means you will be eligible for ILR (i.e. ILR can be granted) within 28 days of completing your qualifying period.
In a nutshell, this means you can get ILR without fully completing your full qualifying period.
This is a procedural concession offered by UKVI that applies to all ILR applications. It is not part of the immigration rule

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

Dear Zimba,

Thank you very much for your continued support and for kindly addressing my reporting-related questions. I am feeling slightly anxious about my timelines and would appreciate your confirmation that my below proposed approach is acceptable.

Below is the ILR timeline I am planning to follow:

First BRP issue date: 21 June 2021

21st June 2021- 5 years - 28 days: 24 May 2026 (earliest eligible date to apply for ILR)

Planned early ILR application date: 30 March 2026, in order to remain under the current ILR rules

Application type: Priority service (5 working days)

Biometric appointment: 3 June 2026
(Approximately 40–45 working days after the application date, intentionally delayed)

Expected ILR decision date: 10 June 2026
(This date falls after 24 May 2026, thereby completing the qualifying residence period)

My understanding is that the 28-day concession allows an ILR application to be submitted up to 28 days before completing the full five-year qualifying period. As such, I understand that I do not need to wait until 21 June 2026, and that ILR can be granted provided the qualifying period( 24th May 2026) is completed by the date of decision.

I would be grateful if you could please please confirm whether this approach will work as intended???

Apologies for the repeated queries, just anxious and trying to get everything write and not get confused with comments from other moderators.

Many thanks for your support.

I have confirmed this several times now. Not sure why you keep doubting this

zimba wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 02, 2026 10:27 am

I have confirmed this several times now. Not sure why you keep doubting this

Dear Zimba,

I would like to clarify that I am not doubting your advice or the comments provided by the moderators. Previously, I had been considering different dates, and I am now asking a new question based on a revised set of dates. I would therefore appreciate your confirmation that the approach outlined below is acceptable.

Specifically, I am proposing to:

Submit my ILR application early on 30 March 2026

Intentionally delay my biometric appointment by approximately 45 working days, to 3 June 2026

Receive the ILR decision on or around 10 June 2026, which is after my ILR qualifying date of 24 May 2026

Could you please confirm whether this approach is acceptable under the ILR rules?

Thank you very much for your continued support

Dear Zimba,

Would really appreciate your response on above?

Many Thanks

The logic remains the same, change of date do not change the advice I already advised you on this

Thanks Zimba!

Dear Zimba,

New Query regarding the SOC Codes. My both COS was assigned to me before 4th April 2024 and SOC code used was 2133 on both, which is now changed to 2132 under SOC 2020.

Please can you let me know for my ILR application what SOC, I should use, 2132(New SOC 2020) or 2133(Old SOC 2010? Should I use SOC as per my COS for ILR Application?

Note: Salary is not the problem, as its above both SOC's going rates.

Many Thanks

The SOC 2020

Many Thanks!

Dear Zimba,

I am writing to seek clarification regarding the salary requirement for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under Set O (Skilled Worker route).

Both of my Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) were issued prior to April 2024, and my role falls under SOC code 2133. I am employed by the NHS and receive a guaranteed Inner London allowance (HCAS).

The Inner London allowance is paid monthly and is subject to National Insurance, income tax, and pension deductions. On my payslip, my base salary is shown separately under “Salary/Wage” (£40,823.00 per annum), with two line items in the earnings description: one for basic monthly pay and a separate line item for the monthly Inner London allowance.

My current remuneration is as follows:

Base annual salary: £40,823.00

Inner London HCAS: £8,164.60

Total annual salary: £48,987.60

Under the Skilled Worker (SOC 2020) guidance, the lower going rate for SOC code 2133 is £42,400 per annum (£21.74 per hour).

I would be grateful if you could confirm whether the Inner London allowance can be included and whether I meet the salary requirements for ILR?

I would appreciate your guidance on this matter.

Kind regards,

Under paragraphs SW 14.1. to SW 14.2., you can generally only include guaranteed basic gross pay. You can also include other payments, such as London weighting, but only where the sponsor has confirmed they are guaranteed and are treated the same as basic gross pay for tax, pension and national insurance purposes.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... accessible

Dear Zimba,

Appreciate your response, if I ask the employer to confirm the London allowance in Employment letter, that would do and also attached the cover letter explaining it?

Should I ask employer to write employment letter in exact words, like for tax, NI etc?

Also in ILR application should I use the full amount or only basic salary?

Many Thanks

You should enter full salary that you are claiming

Read --> All you need to know about the sponsor letter for Skilled Worker route

Thank you Zimba!

Dear Zimba,

Hope you are well!

I have question on below advice by you in yellow to calculate the data of decision for ILR.

My First Visa approval date is 04/05/2021, based on that I can apply for ILR on 04/05/2021+5 years - 28days= 06/04/2026

But when calculating the date for ILR decision: If I apply on 06/04/2026, Bio Priority Service - 07/04/2026

So my date of ILR decision comes: 07/04/2026-5years-28days = 10/03/2021

The above new date is not after my first visa approval date which is 04/05/2021

Please what do you suggest here?? Your response is highly appreciated.

Thanks

So, how can you calculate your earliest date of ILR eligibility ??

1. You will assume a date of ILR decision (this can be the date of your biometrics if applying for priority service)
2. You then subtract (Your ILR qualifying period - 28 days) from that date, so counting backwards. Your ILR qualifying period could be 3, 5 or 10 years, depending on your immigration route.
3. This new date should be on or after the date of first visa approval.

Your calculation is wrong.

Wrong -- > 07/04/2026-5years - 28days = 10/03/2021
Correct -- > 07/04/2026- (5years - 28days) = 05/05/2021

May advice was get your date of ILR decision and subtract (Your ILR qualifying period - 28 days)

Date of ILR decision - (5years - 28 days) ---> 07/04/2026 - (5years - 28days)

Your ILR qualifying period could be 3, 5 or 10 years, depending on your immigration route.

Dear Zimba,

Thank you for clarification, now it all makes sense! Small misunderstanding and incorrect simple mathematical calculation can create a lot of confusion.

I really appreciate your patience and responses received.

Many Thanks

Sp1190 wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 02, 2026 9:25 am

Dear Zimba,

Thank you for clarification, now it all makes sense! Small misunderstanding and incorrect simple mathematical calculation can create a lot of confusion.

I really appreciate your patience and responses received.

Many Thanks

Hi Sp1190, hope you are well.

I am in the same situation like your that I have done so many research on this forum. I am also confused about whether I should use the visa decision date or the BRP issue date as the start date for the 5 years. Can I ask you which date do you choose in the end?

zimba wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 26, 2026 5:40 pm

Your calculation is wrong.

Wrong -- > 07/04/2026-5years - 28days = 10/03/2021
Correct -- > 07/04/2026- (5years - 28days) = 05/05/2021

May advice was get your date of ILR decision and subtract (Your ILR qualifying period - 28 days)

Date of ILR decision - (5years - 28 days) ---> 07/04/2026 - (5years - 28days)

Your ILR qualifying period could be 3, 5 or 10 years, depending on your immigration route.

Dear Zimba,

Hope you are well!

I used exact above dated for my ILR application. Used Skilled Worker Decision Date on Letter. is 4th May 2021 to calculate the qualifying period. 5th July 2021 is the date on Visa Vignette on passport.

Application Date: 07/04/2026, Application Type: Priority(5Days)
Biometric Date: 08/04/2026
Application Update: Received today - On Hold Application, below is the reply from home office in email.

I think I need to wait until 7th June and hold the application. Please what do you recommend in this case. This is really frustrating.

Thanks



"We are in receipt of a Settlement Application for the above named applicants.

Our records show that you originally applied for Entry Clearance as a Skilled Worker on 28 April 2021, this was decided on 04 May 2021 and was valid from 05 July 2021, therefore, you do not yet meet requirements to be granted Settlement in this category.
The earliest you would be eligible is 07 June 2026.

Due to this, if we were to continue with your application at this time, it is unlikely that it would lead to a favourable outcome for yourself.

We are therefore offering you the following options:

We can put your application on hold until this date and consider your application at this point in time or;

You can vary your application and re-apply for permission to stay under a suitable route.

If you choose to vary your application, due to how our system works we are not able to change an application type, therefore, in order for us to be able to complete this option you will need to submit a new application.

Should you require any advice, it is recommended that you seek an accredited immigration adviser.

The 5 year qualifying period for Settlement doesn’t begin until the date your granted leave is valid from, because before this time you are not considered to have valid permission on that route and are not able to enter the United Kingdom on your permission until that date.
We can accept applications 28 days prior to the 5 year qualifying date, therefore, as stated above you have not completed your 5 year eligibility until 07 June 2026.

If you do choose to hold your application until it is eligible we require further information from you in order to assess your application. "

Their response suggests that your visa was in fact approved on 5th July 2021. Just let them hold your application and it will be decided in June. Nothing really problematic

Thank you Zimba for quick response. I have SARU from home office, it clearly says Issued date: 4th May 2021, but still.

I have provided all the documents very clearly. Also they are saying that if I hold the application, I need to provide revised Employment Letter within next 10 days. I have provide letter which mentions everything, then as well they are asking again. I have paid extra 500 for priority application and now I need to wait for another 2 months for status of application, This is unfair, they did not mention anything about the refund of priority fee.


"If you do choose to hold your application until it is eligible we require further information from you in order to assess your application.

The letter confirming your employment does not contain all the required information for us to be able to assess your application, please provide a new letter from your employer confirming all of the following details;
Job Title;
Full Salary;
Confirmation you will be paid that salary for the foreseeable future;
SOC code that your role falls into;
Whether your employment is required for the foreseeable future;

Please send this evidence as a scanned attachment within 10 working days "

Why did you apply and provided biometrics outside your eligibility period for ILR? You were advised about this in December when you asked!

lolo2 wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 03, 2025 11:09 am

Sp1190 wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 01, 2025 3:51 pm

BRP Start Date: 21/06/2021

You will be eligible for ILR on 21-06-2021 + 5 years - 28 days.

The application can be submitted before current visa expiry date and ensure the ILR decision is taken on that date or after - provided the current rules regarding time remain in place.

lolo2 wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 03, 2025 11:32 am

ensure the ILR decision is taken on that date or after

You must apply before visa expiry date and then arrange biometrics etc in a way so that the ILR decision is taken on the date you calculated or later.

Sp1190 wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 13, 2026 12:45 pm

I have paid extra 500 for priority application and now I need to wait for another 2 months for status of application, This is unfair, they did not mention anything about the refund of priority fee.

Most likely you'll not be eligible for a refund of the priority fee as the reason for the delay is not attributable to UKVI but to you.