If you currently have leave to be in the UK on a Tier 2 Work Visa, you may be considering your options for Permanent Residence in the future. If so, you may be able to switch from your Tier 2 to ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain). The Tier 2 General Visa can be extended for up to six years, providing you still have a job with a registered UK sponsor. If you want to stay in the UK for longer, you can apply to switch from your Tier 2 General to ILR after five years.

Once you are granted ILR, you will have permanent residence in the UK and no longer be subject to the same restrictions as the Tier 2 Visa. This means that you will no longer need to work for a company with a Sponsor License or work in a position with a skills shortage if you do not want.

How can IAS help?

Our immigration lawyers can help you switch from your Tier 2 to ILR. Our expert lawyers can help you every step of the way. They will advise you on the Life in the UK test and the English Language test. This test only applies to nationals from non-English speaking countries.

Your lawyer will produce a Letter of Representation. This is a legal document referencing your case and any UK immigration law that might support it. He/she will also provide a full document check to ensure your evidence is sufficient. Call us on +1844 290 6312 or make an inquiry online to speak to an expert lawyer about your Tier 2 to ILR application.

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FAQs

What are the Tier 2 General to ILR requirements?

You will be eligible to switch from Tier 2 to ILR if you have been working in the UK for at least five years. You will also need to:

  • Be earning £35,500 per year or more;
  • Have no unspent convictions;
  • Have been living and working in the UK;
  • Still be employed by a registered Tier 2 Sponsor who is able to hire foreign workers

What is the process of switching from Tier 2 to ILR?

You can start your application to switch to ILR before your current visa expires. You will need to submit this application from the Home Office website.

To begin the application process, you will need to pass the Life in the UK test. This is a test about British values, culture history, and current affairs. You may also need to prove your English Language ability if you are not a national of an English-speaking country. These tests are vital to applying to change from Tier 2 General to ILR.

Can Tier 2 ICT lead to ILR?

The Tier 2 Intra-company Transfer Visa is used by those who are looking to transfer to a UK branch of their multinational company. It has similar requirements to the Tier 2 General Visa, such as minimum salary, CoS, and evidence of maintenance.

However, any time spent in the UK on the Tier 2 ICT Visa will not count towards settlement.

This means that workers on a Tier 2 ICT Visa who would like to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain will have to switch to the Tier 2 General Visa and then live in the UK for five years before applying for permanent residence.

What services does IAS offer?

The IAS lawyers have experience helping clients get their permanent residence after their Work Visas. An application for ILR is very difficult and requires attention to detail and a lot of preparation.

Our services include:

  • Assessing your eligibility for ILR;
  • Preparing you for the Life in the UK test;
  • Ensuring you have the right documents on your immigration history;
  • Completing every stage of your application forms for you;
  • Undertaking a full document check and organizing your evidence;
  • Liaising with the Home Office throughout;
  • Writing a Letter of Representation. This describes the merits of your case with reference to UK immigration laws.

Contact us today on +1844 290 6312 or use our online contact form to speak to an experienced immigration lawyer about your options for switching from Tier 2 General to ILR.

Make an enquiry

Our Indefinite Leave to Remain Packages

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Comprehensive immigration advice tailored to you, with written confirmation

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Full assistance throughout your entire application process

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A premium service which allows your application to take priority position in your lawyer's workload

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Appeal Package

Full representation through your appeal, including physical representation if your case is heard by a tribunal

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A few of

our experienced

immigration lawyers

Case studies

We are very proud that we have changed so many of our client’s lives for the better. Here are a few of their stories:

Moira: Tier 2 and Dependant Extension

Moira was an Australian National who had been working in the UK under a Tier 2 Visa and brought her husband over as a dependant.
Her Work Visa was… Read More

Linda: Visitor Visa for Fiance

Martin is a UK national who met Linda, his partner, in Nigeria while he was traveling.
The pair quickly hit it off and decided to get engaged.
Linda applied to enter the… Read More

Gaston: Switching from Tier 2 to Tier 4

Gaston had been working in the UK for two years and decided that he wanted to stay in the UK and study.
He was unclear about the process and the… Read More

Stanislav: Permanent Residence

Stanislav is an Estonian National who was accepted into a University in the UK.
Due to Brexit, Stanislav wanted to understand the procedures and steps he needed to take to… Read More

Fiance Visa for Thai partner

John (a UK national) met Vitchita (a Thai national) online and stayed in contact with her for many months.
After they met in person, they decided that there was something special… Read More

Isabella: British Citizenship

Isabella, a Greek National, was working in the UK and intended to return to Greece for a summer holiday before becoming a student again.
She wanted to become a British… Read More

Latest reviews

Chris
Recently, I had engaged Nasreen Ali to assist in the successful application for UK citizenship for my daughter. Prior to… Read More
Graeme

Ms Houri Zahedi had endless patience during our telephone consultation and gave us high quality advice!

Richard

Accurate, up to date information with very useful advice.

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