Salary requirement for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Application Set O

[Sp1190]

Thank you, Appreciate your response!

[Sp1190]

Dear Zimba,

Thank you for your response.

Based on your explanation, if the date of the ILR application is not a critical factor, would it be acceptable for me to submit my application early at the end of March 2026 to remain under the current ILR rules, for example, on 31st March 2026? I would then delay the biometric appointment by 45 working days, which would fall around 5th June 2026, and opt for the priority service. This way, I could potentially receive the ILR decision by 8th or 9th June 2026.

For reference, my first BRP was issued on 21st June 2021. Considering the 5-year qualifying period minus 28 days, my qualifying date would be 24th May 2026.

Do you think this approach is appropriate and relevant?

Thank you for your guidance.

Dear Zimba,

Thank you for all your guidance, if I follow this approach and is it Ok, to go for priority service and get decision by 8th or 9th June 2026(Considering the 5-year qualifying period minus 28 days, my qualifying date would be 24th May 2026.) or decision should come after 21st June 2026(5 years to my first visa issues/BRP date)?

Many Thanks

[zimba]

What is the 28-day concession ?

The 28-day concession means you will be eligible for ILR (i.e. ILR can be granted) within 28 days of completing your qualifying period.
In a nutshell, this means you can get ILR without fully completing your full qualifying period.
This is a procedural concession offered by UKVI that applies to all ILR applications. It is not part of the immigration rule

READ --> All you need to know about applying early, the application date, 28-day concession and more

[Sp1190]

What is the 28-day concession ?

The 28-day concession means you will be eligible for ILR (i.e. ILR can be granted) within 28 days of completing your qualifying period.
In a nutshell, this means you can get ILR without fully completing your full qualifying period.
This is a procedural concession offered by UKVI that applies to all ILR applications. It is not part of the immigration rule

READ --> All you need to know about applying early, the application date, 28-day concession and more

Dear Zimba,

Thank you very much for your continued support and for kindly addressing my reporting-related questions. I am feeling slightly anxious about my timelines and would appreciate your confirmation that my below proposed approach is acceptable.

Below is the ILR timeline I am planning to follow:

First BRP issue date: 21 June 2021

21st June 2021- 5 years - 28 days: 24 May 2026 (earliest eligible date to apply for ILR)

Planned early ILR application date: 30 March 2026, in order to remain under the current ILR rules

Application type: Priority service (5 working days)

Biometric appointment: 3 June 2026
(Approximately 40–45 working days after the application date, intentionally delayed)

Expected ILR decision date: 10 June 2026
(This date falls after 24 May 2026, thereby completing the qualifying residence period)

My understanding is that the 28-day concession allows an ILR application to be submitted up to 28 days before completing the full five-year qualifying period. As such, I understand that I do not need to wait until 21 June 2026, and that ILR can be granted provided the qualifying period( 24th May 2026) is completed by the date of decision.

I would be grateful if you could please please confirm whether this approach will work as intended???

Apologies for the repeated queries, just anxious and trying to get everything write and not get confused with comments from other moderators.

Many thanks for your support.

[zimba]

I have confirmed this several times now. Not sure why you keep doubting this

[Sp1190]

I have confirmed this several times now. Not sure why you keep doubting this

Dear Zimba,

I would like to clarify that I am not doubting your advice or the comments provided by the moderators. Previously, I had been considering different dates, and I am now asking a new question based on a revised set of dates. I would therefore appreciate your confirmation that the approach outlined below is acceptable.

Specifically, I am proposing to:

Submit my ILR application early on 30 March 2026

Intentionally delay my biometric appointment by approximately 45 working days, to 3 June 2026

Receive the ILR decision on or around 10 June 2026, which is after my ILR qualifying date of 24 May 2026

Could you please confirm whether this approach is acceptable under the ILR rules?

Thank you very much for your continued support

[Sp1190]

Dear Zimba,

Would really appreciate your response on above?

Many Thanks

[zimba]

The logic remains the same, change of date do not change the advice I already advised you on this

[Sp1190]

Thanks Zimba!

[Sp1190]

Dear Zimba,

New Query regarding the SOC Codes. My both COS was assigned to me before 4th April 2024 and SOC code used was 2133 on both, which is now changed to 2132 under SOC 2020.

Please can you let me know for my ILR application what SOC, I should use, 2132(New SOC 2020) or 2133(Old SOC 2010? Should I use SOC as per my COS for ILR Application?

Note: Salary is not the problem, as its above both SOC's going rates.

Many Thanks

[zimba]

The SOC 2020

[Sp1190]

Many Thanks!

[Sp1190]

Dear Zimba,

I am writing to seek clarification regarding the salary requirement for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under Set O (Skilled Worker route).

Both of my Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) were issued prior to April 2024, and my role falls under SOC code 2133. I am employed by the NHS and receive a guaranteed Inner London allowance (HCAS).

The Inner London allowance is paid monthly and is subject to National Insurance, income tax, and pension deductions. On my payslip, my base salary is shown separately under “Salary/Wage” (£40,823.00 per annum), with two line items in the earnings description: one for basic monthly pay and a separate line item for the monthly Inner London allowance.

My current remuneration is as follows:

Base annual salary: £40,823.00

Inner London HCAS: £8,164.60

Total annual salary: £48,987.60

Under the Skilled Worker (SOC 2020) guidance, the lower going rate for SOC code 2133 is £42,400 per annum (£21.74 per hour).

I would be grateful if you could confirm whether the Inner London allowance can be included and whether I meet the salary requirements for ILR?

I would appreciate your guidance on this matter.

Kind regards,

[zimba]

Under paragraphs SW 14.1. to SW 14.2., you can generally only include guaranteed basic gross pay. You can also include other payments, such as London weighting, but only where the sponsor has confirmed they are guaranteed and are treated the same as basic gross pay for tax, pension and national insurance purposes.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... accessible

[Sp1190]

Dear Zimba,

Appreciate your response, if I ask the employer to confirm the London allowance in Employment letter, that would do and also attached the cover letter explaining it?

Should I ask employer to write employment letter in exact words, like for tax, NI etc?

Also in ILR application should I use the full amount or only basic salary?

Many Thanks

[zimba]

You should enter full salary that you are claiming

Read --> All you need to know about the sponsor letter for Skilled Worker route

[Sp1190]

Thank you Zimba!

[Sp1190]

Dear Zimba,

Hope you are well!

I have question on below advice by you in yellow to calculate the data of decision for ILR.

My First Visa approval date is 04/05/2021, based on that I can apply for ILR on 04/05/2021+5 years - 28days= 06/04/2026

But when calculating the date for ILR decision: If I apply on 06/04/2026, Bio Priority Service - 07/04/2026

So my date of ILR decision comes: 07/04/2026-5years-28days = 10/03/2021

The above new date is not after my first visa approval date which is 04/05/2021

Please what do you suggest here?? Your response is highly appreciated.

Thanks

So, how can you calculate your earliest date of ILR eligibility ??

1. You will assume a date of ILR decision (this can be the date of your biometrics if applying for priority service)
2. You then subtract (Your ILR qualifying period - 28 days) from that date, so counting backwards. Your ILR qualifying period could be 3, 5 or 10 years, depending on your immigration route.
3. This new date should be on or after the date of first visa approval.

[zimba]

Your calculation is wrong.

Wrong -- > 07/04/2026-5years - 28days = 10/03/2021
Correct -- > 07/04/2026- (5years - 28days) = 05/05/2021

May advice was get your date of ILR decision and subtract (Your ILR qualifying period - 28 days)

Date of ILR decision - (5years - 28 days) ---> 07/04/2026 - (5years - 28days)

Your ILR qualifying period could be 3, 5 or 10 years, depending on your immigration route.

[Sp1190]

Dear Zimba,

Thank you for clarification, now it all makes sense! Small misunderstanding and incorrect simple mathematical calculation can create a lot of confusion.

I really appreciate your patience and responses received.

Many Thanks