Earliest Eligibility Date for ILR

[Kuser0422]

Dear Admins,

I would like to seek clarification regarding my Skilled Worker visa extension, including my family (partner and twin children).

I have held a Skilled Worker visa since November 2020 and have been residing in the UK since then. During this period, I applied for my family's dependant visas, which were granted in April 2021. However, due to COVID-related travel restrictions imposed by the UK government on my home country, India, they were unable to travel immediately.

After the restrictions were lifted, they arrived in the UK in September 2021 and have been living here since.

I was sponsored by my previous company (ABC) under a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) until May 2022. After that, I was sponsored by another company (XYZ), for which I received a new COS, valid until May 2025. I have now initiated the process to extend my visa for another year, which may make me eligible for ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain).

My question: Since my dependants are on my visa, if I extend their visas for one year based on my current extension, their visas will be valid until May 2026. Given that their visas were granted in April 2021 but they could only travel in September 2021 due to COVID restrictions, would they need to wait until September 2026 to be eligible for ILR? If so, would they also need to extend their visas for an additional four months?

I would appreciate your guidance on this matter, as I am short on time and need to request my current company (XYZ) for a visa extension period that aligns with my family's visa requirements. Please kindly advise if possible.

Thank you for your time and assistance.
KK

[zimba]

Any extension granted to you will be based on the date on your COS. Any dependant extension will be strictly issued in line with your visa expiry too. So it is not up to you to request a visa extension for a specific length of time.

Also, the qualifying period for ILR is counted from the date of the first visa issue date. The date of the first entry is irrelevant, so your dependant will not need to wait and can qualify in 2026

[Kuser0422]

Thank you for your reply @Zimba!! and Just to clarify, if my current company processes my visa extension for one year, would that be sufficient for my family to meet the eligible length for ILR? Appreciate your help!

[zimba]

Yes. They can extend in line with your visa expiry.

[Kuser0422]

Yes. They can extend in line with your visa expiry.

Thank you so much @ Zimba !! Much appreciated

[Kuser0422]

Yes. They can extend in line with your visa expiry.

Hi Zimba,

Apologies for following up again—I just want to ensure I’m not missing anything.

I wanted to do a quick check regarding my family's ILR eligibility. Today, my company's immigration team confirmed that I have been granted a one-year extension until May 2026. As I mentioned earlier, my family's dependent visa was approved in April 2021. However, due to COVID-related restrictions, we went through a vignette extension(July 2021- 90 days period) and arrived in the UK in September 2021(Due to India being on redlist for travel restrictions) and receiving the family BRP that same month (Sep 2021)

Could you please advise whether my family will have completed five years by April 2026, or would they need to wait until September 2026 for ILR eligibility?

Additionally, if their visa is valid until April 2026, would that be sufficient, or would I need to apply for an extension until September 2026?

Thank you for your time and assistance. I appreciate your patience on this.

[zimba]

As I mentioned above, no extension is needed for them. They qualify based on the first visa issue date.

Applicants can benefit from the date of the ILR decision

[Kuser0422]

As I mentioned above, no extension is needed for them. They qualify based on the first visa issue date.

Applicants can benefit from the date of the ILR decision

Perfect! Thanks much Zimba!!

Much appreciate your generous help—it saves so much time and relieves a lot of stress. Your support makes a real difference for many.
Heartfelt thanks and best wishes Zimba