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 applicant for a UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by the UK employer, along with a minimum of £42,400 as a salary.
• 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 .
• The UK-based employer (Sponsor) must pay the applicant a minimum of £25,600 annually as a salary.
• 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.
• It is mandatory to have £50,000 as investments, to fund the set up of the new firm in the UK.
• 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.