Key Takeaways
- A Skilled Worker visa is granted for the duration of the Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days, up to a maximum of five years.
- The visa can be extended provided the applicant remains sponsored in an eligible role at the correct salary.
- After five years of continuous residence in the UK under a qualifying visa, most Skilled Workers can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
- Time spent on a Skilled Worker visa counts towards the ten-year continuous lawful residence route to ILR.
- The visa lapses if employment with the sponsor ends. Workers must either find a new sponsor quickly or leave the UK.
- Dependants of Skilled Workers are normally granted leave for the same duration as the main applicant.
A Skilled Worker visa doesn’t grant indefinite permission to live and work in the UK. Instead, it’s granted for a fixed period. Understanding how long that period is, what happens when it ends, and how to extend or convert to permanent status is essential for both workers and the employers who sponsor them.
Initial Visa Duration
A Skilled Worker visa is granted for the period set out on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) assigned by the employer, plus an additional 14 days (up to a maximum of five years). In practice, most Certificates of Sponsorship are issued for roles on an ongoing basis and the visa is therefore granted for the maximum five-year period.
Where the CoS covers a fixed-term contract or a role of shorter duration, the visa will be granted for a correspondingly shorter period. The 14-day buffer at the end gives the worker a short window after their employment ends before their leave expires.
Extending a Skilled Worker Visa
A Skilled Worker visa can be extended, provided the applicant remains sponsored in an eligible role at the correct salary. Extension applications follow the same points-based assessment as initial applications. The worker must continue to:
- Score 70 points
- Meet the RQF Level 6 skill requirement (subject to any transitional arrangements)
- Satisfy the English language standard
- Be paid at or above the going rate
There’s no fixed limit on the number of times a visa can be extended, provided the applicant qualifies. Many workers extend once, twice or more before either applying for ILR or choosing to leave the UK.
Extension applications must be made before the current visa expires. An applicant who lets their visa lapse before extending will lose their lawful status and may face removal or a gap in their continuous residence record.
Changing Employer on a Skilled Worker Visa
A Skilled Worker visa ties the holder to the specific sponsor named on the CoS. If a worker changes employer, the new employer must hold a valid sponsor licence and assign a new Certificate of Sponsorship. The worker must then make a further Skilled Worker application, which effectively extends or varies their leave, before starting work for the new employer.
The original sponsorship might end, for example, through redundancy or resignation. While the worker’s visa doesn’t automatically expire at that moment, they are expected to leave the UK or find a new sponsor promptly. The Home Office will be notified by the original sponsor within 10 working days of the employment ending.
The Path to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
After five years of continuous residence in the UK under a qualifying visa (including time spent on a Skilled Worker visa), most applicants become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). ILR is permanent settlement: it carries no time limit and removes the requirement to maintain sponsorship.
To qualify for ILR, the applicant must:
- Demonstrate five years of continuous lawful residence
- Not have been absent from the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period during those five years
- Still be employed in a qualifying Skilled Worker role at the point of application
- Pass the Life in the UK test
The salary requirement for ILR is the same as for an extension. The applicant must be earning at or above the going rate for their occupation at the point of the ILR application.
The Ten-Year Route to ILR
Some workers might not complete five continuous years under the Skilled Worker route. For example, they may spend time on a different visa category. However, there is an alternative: the ten-year continuous lawful residence route to ILR.
Time spent on a Skilled Worker visa counts towards this ten-year total. This route doesn’t require ongoing sponsorship at the point of application, though all periods of residence must have been lawful.
British Citizenship
Once ILR is granted, a worker can apply for British citizenship after a further 12 months of residence in the UK, provided they meet the additional naturalisation requirements. This includes not being absent from the UK for more than 90 days in the 12 months immediately before the application.
Dependants on a Skilled Worker Visa
A spouse or civil partner, unmarried partner and dependent children under 18 can normally apply to join or remain with a Skilled Worker visa holder. Dependants are granted leave for the same duration as the main applicant. They can work for any employer (there is no restriction on the type of employment) and can study. They can also follow the main applicant’s path to ILR.
Note that following changes introduced in July 2025, some categories of Skilled Worker dependants face additional requirements. You should definitely seek legal advice if dependant applications form part of your planning.
Absence From the UK
Skilled Workers need to be careful about time spent outside the UK. Absences of more than 180 days in any rolling 12-month period can break the continuous residence required for ILR.
Short trips for holidays, business travel or family visits are generally not a problem. However, extended absences should be monitored carefully, particularly during the five years before an ILR application.
Speak to an Immigration Solicitor Today
Osbourne Pinner’s immigration team advises Skilled Workers and their employers on visa duration, extension timing, ILR applications and the path to British citizenship. We also assist with complex cases involving gaps in residence, employment changes mid-visa and dependant applications.
Please note that this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. We always recommend speaking to a qualified solicitor for advice tailored to your specific circumstances.
If you have questions about your Skilled Worker visa duration or next steps, our immigration team is ready to help.
We offer a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your situation. You can speak with us via video call or visit our offices in Harrow, Canary Wharf, Piccadilly Circus or Manchester. To arrange your consultation, call 0203 983 5080, email [email protected] or complete the form below.
