If you’re in the UK as the partner or child of a Skilled Worker, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) – also known as permanent settlement. Below is a complete guide to help you understand the process, eligibility rules, and requirements.
Who qualifies as a Skilled Worker dependant?
Dependants of a Skilled Worker can include:
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A husband, wife, civil partner, or unmarried partner
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Children under 18 years old
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Children over 18 who were last granted permission as dependants
ILR requirements for dependant partners
To qualify as a dependant partner, you must:
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Be aged 18 or over
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Hold a valid dependant visa as a partner of a Skilled Worker
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Prove that your relationship is genuine and ongoing
If you are not married, you must show that you’ve lived together in a relationship similar to marriage or a civil partnership for at least two years before applying.
You must either apply at the same time as the Skilled Worker or after they’ve obtained ILR. If the Skilled Worker has become a British citizen, they must have had permission as a Skilled Worker when they settled.
In addition, you’ll need to complete five years of continuous residence in the UK as a dependant and meet both the English language and Life in the UK test requirements.
ILR criteria for dependent children
Children under 18 are eligible to apply as dependents if:
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They are not married or in a civil partnership
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They are not living independently
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They normally live with their parents (unless studying full-time away from home)
Children over 18 can apply if they already hold dependant status and continue to meet the above conditions.
Both parents are normally required to be settled or applying for settlement at the same time unless:
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One parent has died (sole surviving parent)
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One parent has sole responsibility for the child
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One parent is a British citizen or has indefinite leave to remain
Children born in the UK must provide a full UK birth certificate.
Continuous residence requirement
You must have lived in the UK continuously for five years as a dependant. During this time, you should not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12 months, unless specific exceptions apply.
English language and Life in the UK test
Dependants aged 18 to 64 must meet both the English language and Life in the UK test requirements.
You may be exempt if you’re under 18, over 65, or unable to meet the requirements due to a disability.
You can meet the English requirement if you:
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Are a national of an English-speaking country
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Hold a UK degree (or equivalent taught in English)
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Have passed an approved English language test at CEFR level B1 or above
To meet the Life in the UK requirement, you must pass the Life in the UK test and provide your digital reference number.
If you do not yet qualify for ILR
If you haven’t completed the required 5 years or don’t meet all the ILR conditions, you can extend your dependant visa. You’ll still need to show that your relationship is genuine and ongoing, and that you continue to meet the age, care, and residence requirements.
If you’ve been in the UK for over 12 months, you’re not required to meet the financial requirement again.
Applying for British citizenship after ILR
After obtaining ILR, you may later be eligible to apply for British citizenship through naturalisation or registration.
You must usually:
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Be over 18
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Meet the English language, Life in the UK, and good character requirements
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Have been present in the UK exactly five years before the date of application
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Have not spent more than 450 days outside the UK in those five years and no more than 90 days in the final 12 months
Once approved, you’ll officially become a British citizen, gaining full rights to live, work, and study in the UK without restrictions.
How LawSentis can help
At LawSentis, our experienced UK immigration advisors provide end-to-end support for families applying for ILR as Skilled Worker dependants. Whether you need help checking eligibility, preparing documents, or ensuring your application is error-free, our experts can guide you through each step.
We handle complex cases, including those involving absences, children over 18, or mixed immigration status between parents.
Book a consultation now with LawSentis to secure your family’s future in the UK with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How long do I need to stay in the UK before applying for ILR as a dependant?
You must have lived in the UK continuously for five years as a dependant of a Skilled Worker.
2. Can I apply for ILR if the main Skilled Worker has already become a British citizen?
Yes, as long as they had permission under the Skilled Worker route when they settled.
3. Do children over 18 qualify for ILR as dependants?
They can, if they were last granted permission as dependants and continue to live with their parents.
4. What happens if I fail the Life in the UK test?
You can retake the test as many times as needed before submitting your ILR application.
5. Is there a financial requirement for dependants applying for ILR?
No, if you’ve lived in the UK for more than 12 months as a dependant, the financial requirement is automatically met.
6. Can I apply for ILR at the same time as the Skilled Worker?
Yes, dependant partners and children can apply alongside the Skilled Worker once all conditions are met.
7. What documents are required for ILR as a dependant?
You’ll need proof of relationship, residence, valid passports, English language evidence, and Life in the UK test results.
8. What if I have been outside the UK for more than 180 days?
Excessive absences may break your continuous residence unless you can show exceptional circumstances.
9. Do I need to pass the English language test again if I passed it before?
No, if you already met the required level in a previous successful application.
10. How can LawSentis support my ILR application?
LawSentis provides expert advice, reviews your documents, and ensures your ILR application meets all Home Office standards for the best possible outcome.