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Hi
Slight variation in my case.
I had a job in UK using my tier 2 dependent visa
But i went to India on 15th March 2020 to attend my 23rd march 2020 tier 2 general skilled visa appointment. This was cancelled due to COVID a days before. I was stuck there, had CoS and everything in place , continued working for same employer remotely. later in July 2020 I was contacted for appointment and visa was issues on 13th aug 2020. After that I travelled back to UK in sept 2020, still containing the same job.

My question: since VFS cancelled my appointment on 23rd March due to COVID lockdown and later I was given appointment in July followed by visa on 13th aug. All the time before that while being stuck in India, I had valid CoS and worked for the same employer remotely. Will my ILR qualifying period get any benefit from COVID visa concession scheme to allow me apply sooner?

Thanks and regards
R

I have split your question into its own thread (this one). Please keep your questions on this topic in this thread.

I do not think the Covid concession applies in your case, because you were not resident in the UK during Covid.

Skilled Worker caseworker guidance wrote:(Page 55)
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

Why did you leave the UK and make the application in India when you were already in the UK and could have just make the Skilled Worker application within the UK?

COVID concession is only for people who applied inside the UK. It is NOT for applicants who applied for an entry clearance outside the UK

Hi
Thanks for your reply.
Time my employer booked my tier 2 appointment and trip to India, there was no COVID loack down or possibility to apply switch from tier 2 dependent to tier 2 main within UK.
A day before appointment in India, it was cancelled by VFS due to lockdown.

Travelled to India on 14th march 2020
Before this I was already in UK working for my same employer on tier 2 dependent visa, I only went out to India to get my new tier general 2 main visa.
VFS appointment on 23rd march 2020, cancelled a day before.

For vfs
Pls advice.

BR
R

The covid concession does NOT apply to you.

Joyjii wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 19, 2025 4:20 pm

Hi
Thanks for your reply.
Time my employer booked my tier 2 appointment and trip to India, there was no COVID loack down or possibility to apply switch from tier 2 dependent to tier 2 main within UK.
A day before appointment in India, it was cancelled by VFS due to lockdown.

Travelled to India on 14th march 2020
Before this I was already in UK working for my same employer on tier 2 dependent visa, I only went out to India to get my new tier general 2 main visa.
VFS appointment on 23rd march 2020, cancelled a day before.

For vfs
Pls advice.

BR
R

You have now been told several times this does NOT apply to people who applied outside the UK. Why are you repeating yourself ??

Hi
I have few queries on similar note.

I am completing my skilled worker 5-year ILR route on 16th July 25.

My family joined me in UK little later and their ILR qualification starts on 20th Sept 25 as per 5-year rule but all of us have visa expiry same day of 26th Aug 25.
And as you can see visa end date is slightly earlier than my families’ ILR qualification.

Below are my queries if you guys could advice pls?

1. Is there a legitimate process / workaround that could be followed with home office in this case to avoid visa extension cost (by possibility of holding extension application on request and then vary to ILR)?

2. If there is no option to hold and vary the application, then how much minimum extension can be requested for dependent to minimize the cost on extension?

3.Can we file ILR straight before visa expiry for family too and not do their biometric until they become eligible by 20th Sept? is that safe bet? Will system allow to file ILR before their visa expiry, even before their eligibility to keep their legal immigration status intact?

4.ILR qualification period gets counted from date of application? or date of Biometric or the date home office starts accessing application?

5.Is letter of support from employer acceptable proof of funds for both ILR and Visa extension?
Document/ format guidance needed for absence record?
Number of mandatory documents needed to prove spouse relationship for ILR?

6.Is priority service for ILR, open to all application? or this option comes conditionally appears during the application filing journey online based on application content/ criteria?

Thanks lot in anticipation.

BR
Joy

Hi All


I am completing my skilled worker 5-year ILR route on 16th July 25

My family joined me in UK little later and their ILR qualification starts on 20th Sept 25 as per 5-year rule but all of us have visa expiry same day of 26th Aug 25. And as you can see visa end date is slightly earlier than my families’ ILR qualification.

Below are my queries if you guys could advice pls?

Is there a legitimate process / workaround that could be followed with home office in this case to avoid visa extension cost (by possibility of holding extension application on request and then vary to ILR)?

If there is no option to hold and vary the application, then how much minimum extension can be requested for dependent to minimize the cost on extension?

Can we file ILR straight before visa expiry for family too and not do their biometric until they become eligible by 20th Sept? is that safe bet? Will system allow to file ILR before their visa expiry, even before their eligibility to keep their legal immigration status intact?

ILR qualification period gets counted from date of application? or date of Biometric or the date of home office start or final assessment date of application?

Is letter of support from employer acceptable proof of funds for both ILR and Visa extension?

Document/ format guidance needed for absence record?

Number of mandatory documents needed to prove spouse relationship for ILR?

Is priority service for ILR, open to all applications all the time? or this option comes conditionally appears during the application filing journey online based on application content? Or priority service is purely based on available slots?

Types of documents for change of employment needed? due to original sponsor splitting into three companies on 2 different time intervals and my employment kept moving right to new legal entity along with payroll. Company followed TUPE and other legal processes; new legal entity had required sponsorship license before my employment was moved.

Bank statement's payroll transactions having employer name of last legal entity while on papers and pay slip it has changed to new legal entity after company split. Is that a problem?

Thank in anticipation.

1. Yes is possible. The earliest date of eligibility is (first visa issue date + 5 years - 28 days). Your dependants can apply for ILR close to their visa expiry, then delay the biometrics appointment until their eligibility date. They get up to 45 working days. They do not need to get an extension.

Read how and why this is possible here: Applicants can benefit from the date of the ILR decision

2. An extension is not needed. An extension visa length is fixed for 3 years

3. Yes, see above. The date of decision is all that matters

4. From date of ILR decision and counting backwards !

5. You do not need any employment or relationship evidence for your dependant. Their visa depends on your status, not your sponsor. There is no need to provide evidence of absence. You simply need an employer letter from current sponsor

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

6. It is available but has limited slots.

Read: There’s a limit on how many people can apply for a faster decision

Thank you @Zimba.
Truly appreciate your help.