Obtaining the work permit after started the work during COVID.

[Nawar89]

As an international, you cannot work for an employer unless you have applied for and received a valid work visa. However, during COVID-19, there was an exception where you can start work for your employer as long as you have a certificate of sponsorship and have submitted the visa application already. On April 29th, 2020, I switched to Tier 2 visa and began working on May 1st, 2020. However, I submitted my biometrics in July and received the BPR later with issue date of 19/07/2020.
On the 30/04/2025, I will finish the 5 years working in the UK but being on a work visa will be short of 2 months (being on a work visa for full 5 years will be on 19/07/2025). I cannot wait until then as my current visa expires on 14/05/2025 as it was given based on the start date on the certificate of sponsorship. Having worked for 5 years and considering the COVID restrictions, will this impact my ILR application, which requires five years of continuous work (which I have been but do not have 5 years work BRP? or I need to extend my current work visa until 19/07/2025 and then apply after that date?

Many thanks in advance.

[zimba]

DO NOT tag your queries on other topics.

There is no requirement of 5 years of continuous work, you seem to have made it up yourself.
The COS start date is irrelevant for ILR. The ILR qualifying period starts from your first visa issue date

UKVI now allows skilled workers to count the time since their initial application submission date towards their ILR, assuming they applied between 24 January 2020 and 30 June 2021 and were subsequently granted a visa:

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

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... worker.pdf

[Nawar89]

Many thanks, Zimba. Your comment was very clear and really helped me with my application. Much appreciated.