Once you have made your move to the UK, what’s next? What happens once it’s time for your Visa to expire? Are you forced to return to your home country? Not necessarily. If your work requires you to stay back in the UK after the expiry period of your Tier 2 Work Visa, you have an option to continue working in the UK. All you have to do is apply for an Indefinite Leave to Remain, also known as the ILR.

It is possible to apply for an ILR through most of the visa categories of the UK, with the guidance of UK Visa consultants. Each category has its set of requirements to be eligible for the ILR. Today we are going to focus exclusively on how to apply for an ILR, should you be in the UK under the Tier 2 Work Visa.

Is anyone on a Tier 2 Work Visa eligible for an ILR post the expiry of their work visa? Almost, but not quite.

To be eligible for the ILR post the Tier 2 Work Visa, an applicant must meet certain conditions.

The conditions to be eligible for the ILR post the Tier 2 Work Visa are compiled below by our UK Visa consultants in Delhi:

  • The applicant must still be in the UK on a valid Tier 2 visa.
  • The applicant must be employed by the same employer as he was at the time of the original visa issue.
  • The salary earned is still adequate to support the applicant during his stay in the UK.
  • You must apply for the ILR from within the UK.

The conditions to be eligible for the ILR post the Tier 2 Work Visa are compiled below by our UK Visa consultants in Delhi

  • The applicant must still be in the UK on a valid Tier 2 visa.
  • The applicant must be employed by the same employer as he was at the time of the original visa issue.
  • The salary earned is still adequate to support the applicant during his stay in the UK.
  • You must apply for the ILR from within the UK.

Timescales for the ILR

The ILR will permit the applicant to stay in the UK for an additional 5 years. Since the original Tier 2 Work Visa has a validity of 1 year, the total amount of time you could stay with a Tier 2 Visa with the help of the ILR is 6 years.

As far as the time taken for the application processing is concerned, the decisions for the ILR are typically made within 8 weeks of the receipt of the online application by the Home Office. The Tier 2 priority applications will be processed within 10 days, and if you avail the premium service, you should be receiving the decision on your ILR application on the very same day that you apply.

I have permanent residence permit to live in UK I am staying in India for last 12 months I now wish to return to the UK but my India passport is expiring in 4 months will it be OK to travel or I need new passport

- Question asked in a forum.
Further, most of the foreign missions/embassies insist on the passport validity of at least of six months to one year before they consider issuing visas. Accordingly, it is advisable to apply for re-issue well before time to avoid last-minute rush. You can also contact concerned authorities before your travel to avoid any glitches.

Making the Smart Move

The Tier 2 Visa along with the ILR for the same is an ideal way for a working-class citizen to achieve their corporate ambitions in an economically diverse and strong nation. Given the stakes involved, our UK Visa consultants in Delhi urge people to ensure that they conduct their immigration procedures in the right way, ensuring minimum chances of complications, hassles and rejections.

The best way to do this is by relying on people who have done these applications countless times before, similar to our associates at The SmartMove2UK who have had extensive experience with UK immigration law, and particularly the Tier 2 Work Visa ILR. Contact our consultants in Delhi today and book an appointment for an initial consultation with us, and we will guide you all the way till the end from there.

Think UK Settlement, Think The SmartMove2UK.

What are the chances of getting an ILR in UK after doing post graduation there?

- Question asked in a forum.
If you are eligible to apply for ILR you can do so after getting the post graduate visa – typically you are eligible for ILR if you have lived in the UK on a settlement visa under the 5 year route and meet all the requirements for indefinite leave to remain.

If you have any comment or want to know anything about getting an ILR after Tier 2 Visa Application then you can connect with us on

Are students under Chevening Scholarship in UK eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain ILR after their studies?

- Question asked in a forum.
To be eligible to apply for settlement, you need to be on a valid visa on the 5-year route to settlement and meet all the requirements of Indefinite leave to remain (ILR).

I have an ILR but have not entered in the UK since the last 2 years due to COVID restrictions do I need to apply for a re-entry online or can I travel with my existing BRP which has a expiry date of October 22 and get a re-entry upon arrival

- Question asked in a forum.
YHolders loose indefinite leave to remain if they’ve been outside the UK for 2 or more continuous years.
They may be able to re-enter the UK and get indefinite leave to remain by applying for a Returning Resident visa.
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