Earliest Date to Submit Skilled Worker ILR Application

I would like to ask about the earliest date to submit my Skilled Worker ILR application.Hope anyone can help！

I graduated in October 2019 and started working full-time immediately.
In February 2020, I applied for my Skilled Worker visa, completed my biometrics on 25 February 2020, and received visa approval on 12 March 2020.
However, the start date on the CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship) for my first Skilled Worker visa was 23 March 2020.
I understand that during the COVID-19 period, the application date counts towards the 5-year period. Could you confirm the earliest date I can apply for ILR?

Would it be 25 February 2025 minus 28 days, which is 28 January 2025? Or is there another date I should calculate from?

A quote from Uk gov is as below“
Due to major disruption to UKVl services during the COVlD-19 pandemic, Tier 2(General) and Skilled Worker applicants in the UK were permitted to start work fortheir sponsors while waiting for decisions on their applications. This time while theywere waiting, but able to work, also counts towards the continuous 5-year period.The applicant must have been in the UK with permission (including as a visitor orwith Exceptional Assurance), and the application must have been:
for permission to stay
made between 24 January 2020 and 30 June 2021 (inclusive)supported by a CoS on the date of application
Page 56 of 75 Published for Home Office staff on 22 November 2024
Thank you!

You're eligible for ILR on visa decision date + 5 years - 28 days, e.g. 12 March 2020 + 5 years - 28 days.

The work start date on the CoS and the date you actually started working are irrelevant for this.

Hi Lolo2

Thanks for your kind reply.
I saw the information released by the UK government on 22 November 2024, which says the time of my application falls within the COVID time frame. Can I start counting the 5 years from when I submit my biometrics?

Tier 2(General) and Skilled Worker applicants in the UK were permitted to start work fortheir sponsors while waiting for decisions on their applications. This time while theywere waiting, but able to work, also counts towards the continuous 5-year period.

lolo2 wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 20, 2024 2:11 pm

You're eligible for ILR on visa decision date + 5 years - 28 days, e.g. 12 March 2020 + 5 years - 28 days.

The work start date on the CoS and the date you actually started working are irrelevant for this.

Alright, I saw you submitted your application in February 2020 so you might count that time for ILR purposes then.

See: https://www.immigrationboards.com/indef ... 46105.html