Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is a key milestone for Skilled Worker visa holders in the UK. However, since the Immigration Rules changed in April 2024, many applicants now face higher salary thresholds when applying for settlement.
At Visaway Immigration, our experienced UK immigration advisors in Dartford regularly support Skilled Worker migrants—to understand and meet these updated requirements.
This guide explains the ILR salary requirements where the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) was issued on or after 4 April 2024, and how professional advice can help avoid refusal.
If your first Skilled Worker Certificate of Sponsorship was issued on or after 4 April 2024, the Home Office applies the new settlement salary threshold.
£41,700 per year, or
100% of the standard going rate for your occupation code (SOC)
🔴 Important:
At the ILR stage, there are no discounted salary options or tradeable points, including:
New entrant salary discounts
PhD or STEM concessions
Immigration Salary List reductions
Many Skilled Worker ILR refusals occur because applicants rely on outdated pre-April 2024 rules.
If you are applying for ILR on a Health and Care Worker visa, different salary thresholds may apply depending on your occupation.
You must be paid the higher of:
£31,300 per year, or
The lower going rate for your occupation code, or
The national pay scale rate (for NHS or eligible education roles)
Our Nepali immigration advisors in the UK frequently assist healthcare professionals with these complex requirements.
For ILR purposes, the Home Office will only consider:
Salary from your main sponsored role
Pay calculated up to 48 hours per week (if paid hourly)
❌ The following cannot be included:
Overtime above 48 hours
Bonuses or allowances
Second jobs or supplementary employment
Completing five years in the UK does not guarantee settlement. Applications are commonly refused due to:
Salary below the required ILR threshold
Incorrect or mismatched occupation code
Sponsor licence or compliance issues
Applying too early
Failure to meet post-April 2024 salary rules
Taking advice from a regulated immigration advisor or solicitor in the UK is essential.
Visaway Immigration provides professional and reliable UK immigration advice to clients nationwide including Dartford and London.
Skilled Worker to ILR applications
Salary and going-rate assessments
Sponsor compliance checks
Dependant settlement applications
Application review and refusal prevention
If you are searching for a Nepali Immigration Advisor, Nepali Lawyer in the UK, Nepali Solicitor in the UK, or a trusted Immigration Advisor in UK, Visaway Immigration is here to help.
ILR applications are highly technical, and small errors can lead to refusal or delays. Early professional advice can make the difference.
📍 Based in Dartford, UK
🌍 Serving clients across the UK
🗣️ Nepali, Hindi & English speaking advisors
👉 Contact Visaway Immigration today for a Skilled Worker ILR eligibility assessment.
If your Certificate of Sponsorship was issued on or after 4 April 2024, you must be paid at least the higher of £41,700 per year or the standard going rate for your occupation code. No salary discounts or tradeable points apply at the ILR stage.
No. Completing five years in the UK does not automatically guarantee ILR. You must still meet all Home Office requirements at the time of application, including salary, sponsorship, absence limits, and compliance rules.
No. The Home Office only counts salary from your main sponsored role, and only up to 48 hours per week. Overtime, bonuses, and second jobs cannot be included when calculating ILR salary.
Yes. Health and Care Worker visa holders may be subject to different salary thresholds, including:
£31,300 per year, or
The lower going rate for the occupation, or
The national pay scale rate (for NHS or eligible roles),
whichever is higher.
No. If your CoS was issued after April 2024, Immigration Salary List discounts do not apply at the ILR stage. You must meet the full settlement salary threshold.
You can apply up to 28 days before completing 5 years of qualifying residence. Applying too early can result in a refusal.
Yes, dependants can apply at the same time if they meet their own residence and absence requirements. Each dependant must submit a separate application.
Common refusal reasons include:
Salary below the required threshold
Incorrect occupation code
Sponsor licence compliance issues
Applying too early
Relying on outdated pre-April 2024 rules
Professional advice can significantly reduce the risk of refusal.
ILR applications are legally complex. Advice from a regulated immigration advisor or solicitor in the UK helps ensure compliance with the Immigration Rules and avoids costly mistakes.
Yes. Visaway Immigration is based in Dartford and provides trusted UK immigration advice nationwide , face to face from Dartford and remotely, including Skilled Worker to ILR applications.
You can contact Visaway Immigration for a Skilled Worker ILR assessment by phone, email, or online enquiry. We support clients across the UK, including those searching for a Nepali immigration advisor, Nepali lawyer in the UK, or immigration advisor in Dartford.
