Use SET(O) or SET(F) for ILR application of a child with skilled worker dependent visa?

[alialhoni]

Hi
Father got ILR based on skilled worker visa.
Mom is still on skilled worker dependent visa.
We have two kids who were born outside the UK (before Father ILR). Both kids are on skilled worker dependent visas. They will be eligible for ILR next year.
Mom needs more time to secure English language requirements for her ILR. So I want kids to get ILR before their Mom...
If father becomes British citizen, would it help to secure kids ILR before their Mom?
Thanks

[zimba]

No, they cannot get ILR. Children do not have any residence requirement for ILR and they settle when both parents settle. They will strictly follow the immigration path of the less privileged parent and will settle with that parent. The father becoming British changes nothing.

[alialhoni]

No, they cannot get ILR. Children do not have any residence requirement for ILR and they settle when both parents settle. They will strictly follow the immigration path of the less privileged parent and will settle with that parent. The father becoming British changes nothing.

Thanks for your detailed response.

[alialhoni]

Hi

Mum and dad both have been granted ILR based on skilled worker visa route. Children are still on skilled worker dependent visa. Now I want to apply for ILR for kids but I don't have enough money.
Is it possible to apply for a fee waiver for my children ILR application?

Another option: would it help if I became British citizen? If Dad became British citizen, would it be possible to apply for fee waiver application for my children ILR application?

Thanks

[CR001]

There is no fee waiver available for the skilled worker and dependent route. You becoming British doesn't change this.

When do their visas expire?

[alialhoni]

There is no fee waiver available for the skilled worker and dependent route. You becoming British doesn't change this.

When do their visas expire?

Hi

Their skilled workder dependent visa ends by the end of 2027 (after two years). At some point, Mum and Dad will probably be British citizens (Dad applicaiton is already in process, and Mum application will follow...).
One option would be: wait until Mum and Dad become british citizens (kids will still be on skilled worker dependent visa), and then apply to "register a child under 18 as a British citizen (MN1) form" and justify that both parents are now British citizens. But I was told that there is a very low success chance in this case. What do you think?

Thanks

[zimba]

Non UK born children do not have any entitlement to British citizenship. They are expected to hold ILR when being registered. As such an application is grant of citizenship via discretion, the home office can easily refuse to grant such application without them securing ILR first

[CR001]

There is no fee waiver available for the skilled worker and dependent route. You becoming British doesn't change this.

When do their visas expire?

Hi

Their skilled workder dependent visa ends by the end of 2027 (after two years). At some point, Mum and Dad will probably be British citizens (Dad applicaiton is already in process, and Mum application will follow...).
One option would be: wait until Mum and Dad become british citizens (kids will still be on skilled worker dependent visa), and then apply to "register a child under 18 as a British citizen (MN1) form" and justify that both parents are now British citizens. But I was told that there is a very low success chance in this case. What do you think?

Thanks

So you have plenty of time to get the money together for their ILR.

No shortcut route for your children born abroad. They need ILR first before they can apply for citizenship.

[alialhoni]

There is no fee waiver available for the skilled worker and dependent route. You becoming British doesn't change this.

When do their visas expire?

Hi

Their skilled workder dependent visa ends by the end of 2027 (after two years). At some point, Mum and Dad will probably be British citizens (Dad applicaiton is already in process, and Mum application will follow...).
One option would be: wait until Mum and Dad become british citizens (kids will still be on skilled worker dependent visa), and then apply to "register a child under 18 as a British citizen (MN1) form" and justify that both parents are now British citizens. But I was told that there is a very low success chance in this case. What do you think?

Thanks

So you have plenty of time to get the money together for their ILR.

No shortcut route for your children born abroad. They need ILR first before they can apply for citizenship.

Many thanks for your response

[secret.simon]

Is it possible to apply for a fee waiver for my children ILR application?

There is no fee waiver available for the skilled worker and dependent route.

To add to the comments already made above, there is no fee waiver at all for any form of ILR application.

Fee waivers only apply to certain specific FLR applications.

applications for permission under the 5-year partner route from applicants who are not required to meet the minimum income threshold because the sponsor is in receipt of a specified benefit relating to disability or caring (see: Appendix FM and Adult Dependent Relative Adequate maintenance and accommodation)

applications for permission under the 5-year parent route

applications for permission under the 5-year private life route

applications for permission under the 10-year partner, parent or private life routes

applications for permission on the basis of other ECHR rights

applications for further permission from applicants granted discretionary leave (DL) following refusal of asylum or humanitarian protection, where the applicant claims that refusal to grant further permission would breach their ECHR rights

applications for permission to stay in the UK as a child under Appendix Child staying with or joining a Non-Parent Relative (Appendix CNP)

Also see this recent (October 2025) refusal of British citizenship for children born outside the UK who did not have ILR, even though both parents had successfully naturalised as British citizens.

[alialhoni]

Is it possible to apply for a fee waiver for my children ILR application?

There is no fee waiver available for the skilled worker and dependent route.

To add to the comments already made above, there is no fee waiver at all for any form of ILR application.

Fee waivers only apply to certain specific FLR applications.

applications for permission under the 5-year partner route from applicants who are not required to meet the minimum income threshold because the sponsor is in receipt of a specified benefit relating to disability or caring (see: Appendix FM and Adult Dependent Relative Adequate maintenance and accommodation)

applications for permission under the 5-year parent route

applications for permission under the 5-year private life route

applications for permission under the 10-year partner, parent or private life routes

applications for permission on the basis of other ECHR rights

applications for further permission from applicants granted discretionary leave (DL) following refusal of asylum or humanitarian protection, where the applicant claims that refusal to grant further permission would breach their ECHR rights

applications for permission to stay in the UK as a child under Appendix Child staying with or joining a Non-Parent Relative (Appendix CNP)

Also see this recent (October 2025) refusal of British citizenship for children born outside the UK who did not have ILR, even though both parents had successfully naturalised as British citizens.

Many thanks

[alialhoni]

Hi

Children are on skilled worker dependent visa.
Mum and Dad (main sponsor) are settled already (they both have ILR).
In this case should we use SET(O) or SET(F) for children ILR application?

Also, if Dad became British citizen while children are still on skilled worker dependent visa, should SET(O) or SET(F) be used for children ILR application?

Please note that, in the begining of a SET(O) application, there is an option to specify if the applicant is a child, so both SET(O) and SET(F) can be used for an individual child application.

thanks

[zimba]

SET(F) is the appropriate application for the child