Skilled Worker ILR Calculator
Check your continuous residence and find your earliest ILR application date on the Skilled Worker route.
The Skilled Worker Route to ILR
The Skilled Worker visa (formerly Tier 2 General) leads to ILR after 5 years of continuous residence. The key considerations for this route are continuous employment with a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) throughout the qualifying period, meeting the salary threshold, and staying within the 180-day rolling absence limit. Changing sponsors is permitted but must not create gaps in lawful leave.
ILR Qualifying Date Calculator
The date your qualifying visa began, or the date you entered the UK (whichever is later).
Add each trip you have made outside the UK during your qualifying period. Both the departure day and return day count as days in the UK and are not counted as absences.
Defaults to today. The Home Office counts rolling windows from the application date, any date up to 28 days after it, or the decision date — whichever is most beneficial. This tool uses the application date (the conservative view).
Permitted absences: Humanitarian or emergency work, travel disruption, and compassionate circumstances can be discounted from the 180-day limit. If you think any of these apply, seek advice from an OISC-registered adviser — this tool does not model them.
Window counting: The Home Office assesses rolling windows counting back from whichever is most beneficial: the application date, any date up to 28 days after it, or the decision date. This tool uses the application date, which is the conservative view.
Other breaks not modelled: Gaps in lawful leave, overstaying, or time in the UK as a visitor break continuous residence and are not counted here.
Crown dependencies: Time with permission in Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man can count toward continuous residence.
Indicative only: This is an indicative planning tool, not immigration advice. Always verify your specific circumstances before applying.
This calculator uses a qualifying period of 5 years (sourced from gov.uk, verified, last checked 24/08/2026) — view source. Long Residence uses a 10-year period with transitional rules applied for absences before 11 April 2024.
What Makes the Skilled Worker Route Different
Continuous employment: Unlike family routes, the Skilled Worker route requires you to be continuously employed by a licensed sponsor. You can change employers, but each new employer must issue a new CoS and you must apply for a new visa before your current one expires. Any gap between visas — even a single day — can break continuous residence.
CoS references: You will need the CoS reference number for each sponsor employer during your qualifying period. The Home Office uses these to verify your lawful employment history. Keep records of all CoS references.
Salary threshold: You must have been earning at or above the salary threshold for your occupation. The threshold is the higher of the general threshold or the ‘going rate’ for your specific SOC code. Check the current figure on gov.uk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get ILR on a Skilled Worker visa?
The qualifying period for Skilled Worker ILR is 5 years of continuous residence in the UK. You can apply up to 28 days before the 5-year anniversary of your visa start date (or the date you entered the UK, if later). Use the calculator above to find your exact date.
Does changing Skilled Worker employers affect my ILR qualifying date?
Changing sponsors does not reset your qualifying period, provided there are no gaps in your lawful leave. However, each new sponsor must have issued a new Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), and you must have applied for and been granted a new visa before your previous one expired. Gaps between sponsors can break continuous residence.
What is the continuous employment requirement for Skilled Worker ILR?
You must have been continuously employed by your sponsor(s) throughout the qualifying period. This does not mean you cannot change jobs — but you must maintain lawful employment with a valid CoS at all times. Your employer letter, payslips, and P60s serve as evidence of this.
Do I need to meet the salary threshold for ILR?
Yes. For Skilled Worker ILR, you must have been earning at or above the salary threshold for your route. The threshold is the higher of the general threshold or the SOC-code 'going rate' for your specific occupation. Check the current threshold on gov.uk.
Need the Full Document Checklist?
See exactly what documents to gather for your Skilled Worker ILR application.
View Skilled Worker Checklist