How to apply for an ILR in the UK on a Senior or Specialist Worker visa?

In this blog, we will discuss the different options that are available for an applicant to apply for an ILR in the UK on a Senior or Specialist Worker visa.

Our UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa Experts based in India – Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore have received many queries on – how to apply for an ILR in the UK on a Senior or Specialist Worker visa?

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in simple terms means Permanent Residence in the UK.

• The UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa replaced the UK Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) visa – Long-term Staff visa, from 11th April 2022. This visa is for overseas workers undertaking temporary work assignments in the UK.
• The salary threshold for the Senior or Specialist Worker visa has been updated several times in recent years. Guidance previously listed thresholds such as £45,800 and £48,500, but the Home Office sponsor guidance published in July 2025 confirms that the general salary threshold is now £52,500, or the “going rate” for the specific occupation, whichever is higher. Some transitional rules may still apply depending on when a worker was first sponsored. As these figures are subject to change, it is always important to check the most recent Home Office sponsor guidance and the going-rates table before submitting an application.
• The applicant is permitted to bring a partner and children (under 18 years) to the UK on this visa. However, the UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa DOES NOT permit Settlement in the UK.

There is a way out for UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa holders to apply for an ILR even though the visa falls under the Non-Settlement category.

• The applicant can apply to switch to a UK Skilled Worker visa or a UK Innovator visa or a UK Global Talent visa , while they are still in the UK.
• The applicant must switch to another visa category before their current visa (Senior or Specialist Worker visa) expires.
• The Skilled Worker, Innovator and Global Talent visas permits Permanent Residence i.e. Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK.

• The applicant must apply online to switch their visa category from within the UK.
• Also, the job role offered to the applicant must qualify for a UK Skilled Worker visa .
• For Skilled Worker applications made from 22 July 2025, the UK sponsor must pay a minimum of £41,700 per year, or the occupation’s going rate, whichever is higher (with specified exceptions and transitional rules)
• Most importantly, the UK-based employer must provide a fresh Certificate of Sponsorship to the applicant.
• The applicant, without fail, must inform the Home Office about switching from one visa category to the other.
• Bonus: If a person on a UK Skilled Worker visa qualifies for an ILR, then so will their family members (if they join the main applicant to the UK).

• The applicant must apply online to switch their visa category from within the UK.
• UK Innovator visa is an ideal route for individuals who have a business/business idea that is Innovative, Viable & Scalable.
• They must receive an endorsement from an approved endorsing body in the UK.
• The endorsing body must be satisfied that the business idea is innovative, viable, and scalable, and that the applicant has access to sufficient funds to deliver the business plan.
• Bonus: If a person on a UK Innovator visa qualifies for an ILR, then so will their family members (if they join the main applicant to the UK).

• Applicants are required to obtain an endorsement from one of six UK Home Office-approved endorsing bodies.
• If the applicant is applying for endorsement in the field of Science, Engineering, Medicine, Social Science, Humanities, or other job roles and research, then the UK Home Office will forward the application to the Royal Society, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Royal Academy of Engineering, or the British Academy.
• One of these endorsing bodies will then make an endorsement decision based on the applicant’s profile and the evidence provided.
• If the applicant is applying for endorsement in non-academic fields like Arts and Culture, and Digital Technology, then the application will be forwarded to Arts Council England or Tech Nation.