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Earliest date to apply for ILR - Skilled Worker Visa - Outside UK

Only for queries regarding Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Please use the EU Settlement Scheme forum for queries about settled status under Appendix EU

Moderators: Casa, archigabe, CR001, push, JAJ, ca.funke, Amber, zimba, vinny, Obie, EUsmileWEallsmile, batleykhan, meself2, geriatrix, John, ChetanOjha

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Sp1190
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India

Earliest date to apply for ILR - Skilled Worker Visa - Outside UK

Post by Sp1190 » Mon Dec 01, 2025 3:51 pm

Hello All,

I hope you're doing well. I need assistance calculating my Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) eligibility date based on my 5-year Skilled Worker Visa application made outside UK. I

Here are the relevant dates:

1st SW Visa Application Date Outside UK: 25/04/2021

1st Visa Decision Date: 04/05/2021

Date on Vignette on Passport : 05/07/2021- 03/10/2021

Entry in UK Date: 06/07/2021

BRP Start Date: 21/06/2021 - 23/05/2024

2nd BRP Start Date: 01/05/2024 - 22/05/2026

Many Thanks

razergd1
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Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2022 10:51 pm
Israel

Re: Earliest date to apply for ILR - Skilled Worker Visa - Outside UK

Post by razergd1 » Mon Dec 01, 2025 5:45 pm

If you meet the conditions as far as I understand the rules it will be 5/7/26 (28 days before).
I guess that the system will be overhauled in 4/26, so you will need to review the rules in force at the time of the application.
I am not a lawyer or immigration advisor. My statements/comments do not constitute legal advice.
I take no responsibility for following them.

Sp1190
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Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2025 3:51 pm
India

Re: Earliest date to apply for ILR - Skilled Worker Visa - Outside UK

Post by Sp1190 » Wed Dec 03, 2025 9:40 am

Dear Razergd1,

Thank you for your response.

Just to confirm—does this mean I will need to extend my Skilled Worker visa for a third time, even if only for a few months, since it expires on 22/05/2026, which is before the eligibility date you mentioned?

Also, am I allowed to use the decision letter date instead?

I would appreciate further clarification from the moderators as well.

Many thanks.

lolo2
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Posts: 1207
Joined: Thu Oct 24, 2019 8:14 pm
Venezuela

Re: Earliest date to apply for ILR - Skilled Worker Visa - Outside UK

Post by lolo2 » Wed Dec 03, 2025 11:09 am

You don't need to apply for another visa.

This is the relevant date:
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.

Sp1190
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Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2025 3:51 pm
India

Re: Earliest date to apply for ILR - Skilled Worker Visa - Outside UK

Post by Sp1190 » Wed Dec 03, 2025 11:25 am

Thank you!
If that the case and if I calculate,
21-06-2021 + 5 years -28 days = 24/05/2026, still short of 2 full days, 2nd BRP Expiry date is 22/05/2026.
do I need to apply for extension, in that case?
Your response is highly appreciated.
Many Thanks

lolo2
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Posts: 1207
Joined: Thu Oct 24, 2019 8:14 pm
Venezuela

Re: Earliest date to apply for ILR - Skilled Worker Visa - Outside UK

Post by lolo2 » Wed Dec 03, 2025 11:32 am

No.

Read again.
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
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India

Re: Earliest date to apply for ILR - Skilled Worker Visa - Outside UK

Post by Sp1190 » Wed Dec 03, 2025 1:49 pm

Thank you!

Dear Zimba and Other Moderators,
Please can you confirm on above post and replies and your guidance is highly appreciated.
Many Thanks

razergd1
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Israel

Re: Earliest date to apply for ILR - Skilled Worker Visa - Outside UK

Post by razergd1 » Wed Dec 03, 2025 4:08 pm

I missed your BRP start date
@Sp1190 is correct.

Sorry for the confusion...
Please read my signature.
I am not a lawyer or immigration advisor. My statements/comments do not constitute legal advice.
I take no responsibility for following them.

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zimba
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Re: Earliest date to apply for ILR - Skilled Worker Visa - Outside UK

Post by zimba » Thu Dec 04, 2025 10:33 pm

Sp1190 wrote:
Wed Dec 03, 2025 1:49 pm
Thank you!

Dear Zimba and Other Moderators,
Please can you confirm on above post and replies and your guidance is highly appreciated.
Many Thanks
The advice is correct above

Read --> All you need to know about applying early, the application date, 28-day concession and more
Advice is given based on my personal research and experience only. Do NOT contact me via private message for immigration advice

Sp1190
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India

Re: Earliest date to apply for ILR - Skilled Worker Visa - Outside UK

Post by Sp1190 » Fri Dec 05, 2025 5:21 pm

Many thanks! I appreciate all your comments and responses.

Dear Zimba,

Based on the guidance you provided:

I can use the date on my first BRP to calculate the 5-year ILR eligibility period. This would be 5 years from that date, minus 28 days before I can apply.

1st BRP date: 21/06/2021
+ 5 years
– 28 days

Eligible application date: 24/05/2026

My current BRP expires on 22/05/2026.

If I submit my application before 22/05/2026—for example, on 20/05/2026—and then delay my biometric appointment by around 30–35 days, the biometric date would be approximately 24/06/2026. Using priority service (5-day processing), my ILR decision would likely fall around 29/06/2026, which is after 21/06/2026.

Please let me know if my calculation is correct. I truly appreciate your help and guidance. Many thanks!

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zimba
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Re: Earliest date to apply for ILR - Skilled Worker Visa - Outside UK

Post by zimba » Sat Dec 06, 2025 11:07 am

Yes that is a perfectly fine approach
Advice is given based on my personal research and experience only. Do NOT contact me via private message for immigration advice

Sp1190
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India

Re: Earliest date to apply for ILR - Skilled Worker Visa - Outside UK

Post by Sp1190 » Sat Dec 06, 2025 2:18 pm

Thank you Zimba! Really appreciate your guidance!

Few people in other groups mentioned that I can use my 1st Visa decision date -28 days.

Which is 04/05/2021 - 28 days = 07/04/2026.

Not sure how people tend to apply logic in above case, even when the 1st SWV application was made outside UK.

Many Thanks

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zimba
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Re: Earliest date to apply for ILR - Skilled Worker Visa - Outside UK

Post by zimba » Sun Dec 07, 2025 3:30 pm

Because the qualifying period starts from very first visa approval date
Advice is given based on my personal research and experience only. Do NOT contact me via private message for immigration advice

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