ILR eligibility date when applied during COVID concession period

[mnabaci]

Hi everyone,

Bit of a confusing one and hoping someone’s been through something similar.

I applied for a Skilled Worker visa on 26 February 2021 switching from ECAA visa, and it was granted on 7 April 2021 (so during that COVID concession period). I didn’t start working until after the visa was approved.

According to the Skilled Worker appendix, if you applied between 24 Jan 2020 and 30 Jun 2021, your 5-year ILR clock starts from the application date, not the grant date.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration ... led-worker

I’ll be applying for ILR with priority service, and planning to submit the application on 29 January 2026, which is 28 days before the 5-year point from my first SW application date.

Does the usual “apply up to 28 days early” rule still apply in this case, since the 5-year period is counted from the application date? So, did I calculate my ILR application date as 29 January 2026 correctly, considering that I will be using priority service?

Also, my wife applied as my dependent on the same date - would her 5-year period start from that same day (26 Feb 2021) or from when her visa was granted (7 Apr 2021)?

Would really appreciate if anyone who’s been through this could share what happened with theirs

[zimba]

There is no such a thing as “apply up to 28 days early” rule. This is a misconception held by many. There is 28-day concession when it comes to calculate the qualifying period for ILR. The date you apply for ILR is largely irrelevant.

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

The COVID concession only applies to the main applicants as per the rules, however many reported that when applied together, they got ILR

[mnabaci]

Thanks a lot for the detailed explanation, that really helps!

Just to make sure I’ve got this right — based on the calculation below, would it be fine if I apply with priority service aiming for a decision date around 29 January 2026?

1. Assume the ILR decision date (or biometrics date if using priority service).
2. Subtract (5 years – 28 days) from that date.
3. The new date should be on or after the first visa approval date.

In my case:
• Decision date: 29 Jan 2026
• Qualifying period: 5 years
• First visa approval: 7 Apr 2021
• Application submitted: 26 Feb 2021 (during COVID concession)

So by that logic, my qualifying period started from 26 Feb 2021, meaning I should be fine to apply with a decision date around 29 Jan 2026, right?

Also good to know about the COVID concession being for main applicants.

Thanks again for the clarification!

[zimba]

Correct

[mnabaci]

Thank you!