I’m hoping to get some clarity on this situation—any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I’m due to renew my Skilled Worker visa with my employer, but there’s a bit of a debate about the extension length. UKVI and my employer are insisting on a 2-year extension, but I’d prefer a 2.5-year extension (which is what some of my colleagues have received). Here's my situation:
CoS Details:
Date assigned: 14 March 2022
Work dates: 03 May 2022 – 14 March 2025
Visa Details:
Visa stamped: 04 April 2022
Entry into the UK: 13 May 2022
Concern: If I get a 2-year extension, my visa will end on 04 April 2027. My understanding is that my 5-year count starts from my entry date (13 May 2022), which leaves me 1–2 months short for ILR eligibility if I need to apply based on continuous residence.
UKVI guidance suggests:
Based on this, it seems my 5 years will be complete on 04 April 2027, and I can apply for ILR 28 days before that (07 March 2027).
My Questions:
Should I push my employer for a 2.5-year extension just to be safe (in case of delays with my ILR application or any unforeseen issues)?
Does a 2-year extension cover me sufficiently, given that the time between my visa stamp and entry is counted as lawful residence?
I want to avoid any gaps or last-minute issues, so I’d love to hear from anyone who’s been in a similar situation or knows how this works.
Thanks in advance for your help!
