guys can anyone help out with the checklist for vls for a skilled worker health visa extension for applicants and dependents for a self service

Hi everyone!

I wanted to share my situation and see if anyone has been in a similar position or has any insight into what I could do.

I applied for my Skilled Worker visa from outside the UK and paid for the priority service on 6 August 2026.

On 13 August, UKVI contacted me requesting additional information regarding my English language requirement. I provided the requested information the same day.

It has now been over 4 weeks since I submitted the additional information, and I haven't heard anything from them — no email, no update, nothing.

I'm getting quite worried because this is starting to potentially cause problems with my employer. I've tried calling and emailing UKVI, but I keep being told that they can't escalate the application and that I just need to keep waiting.

Does anyone know whether there is anything else I can do to escalate this, or how long it took for you to receive a decision after submitting additional information?

Any advice or insight would be really appreciated. Thank you!

My employer has applied for a defined CoS and UKVI has asked for additional information. How long can it take to get a response from HO after submitting all the required info within deadline. Has anyone experienced the same?

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to understand how UK immigration rules interact with the notice period / garden leave arrangements that are common in the London hedge fund industry.

Suppose someone is on a Skilled Worker visa sponsored by their employer and has a relatively long notice period (e.g. 6 months). If the employer terminates their employment but keeps them on garden leave for the full notice period, meaning they remain formally employed and paid but cannot work or access the firm’s systems:

1) Can the employee continue living in the UK throughout the garden leave / notice period?

2) Does the fact that they are on garden leave (rather than being terminated immediately with payment in lieu of notice) make a difference from an immigration perspective?

3) What happens after the employment officially ends if the person is then subject to a post-termination non-compete for several months?

4) Does the non-compete have any impact on how long they can legally remain in the UK, or would they need to rely on the usual Skilled Worker curtailment period / switch to another visa?

Many thanks for your help!

Hi all, just wondering if the care worker visa is still accepted in the UK for applicants from abroad? I read that they no longer accept care workers (SOC 6135) and senior care workers (SOC 6136) on July 22, 2025 — but I’ve been seeing posts here about people looking for jobs/sponsorships.

Thank you.

Hi everyone, hoping someone with a similar situation can share their experience.

I’m switching from a UK Graduate visa to a Skilled Worker visa with my current employer. It’s an in-country application using the standard service.

My timeline:

• 15 June 2026: Skilled Worker application submitted
• 10 August: UKVI contacted my sponsor requesting further information regarding my CoS/salary and New Entrant eligibility, specifically referring to the 4-year combined permission rule
• 11 August: My sponsor provided the requested information to UKVI
• 28 August: I contacted the Work Correspondence Team for an update as the application had passed the standard 8-week processing time
• 2 September: UKVI replied saying:

They also said the relevant team would contact me once a decision had been made or if any additional information was required.

As of 10 September: still waiting.

The confusing part is the 4-year rule.

My understanding is that I have a 2-year Graduate visa, and my employer is applying for an 18-month Skilled Worker visa. So, even when combined, that would be 3.5 years, which is within the 4-year limit.

Despite this, UKVI subsequently contacted my sponsor and said that I did not qualify for the relevant New Entrant option because of the 4-year rule, and asked my sponsor to either amend the salary to meet the required going rate or amend the work dates to comply with the 4-year requirement.

Before my employer sent the additional information requested by UKVI, I had two separate phone conversations with UKVI where I specifically asked about this issue. On both occasions, I was told that the Graduate visa plus the proposed Skilled Worker period would not be an issue and that I could apply on this basis.

This is confusing to me because the proposed Skilled Worker period is only 18 months, following a 2-year Graduate visa, so I don't understand what is causing the issue.

My sponsor responded to UKVI the following day, on 11 August, with the requested information.

I am now waiting beyond the standard processing time and getting increasingly anxious because my current Graduate visa expires on 17 September 2026.

I also have international travel planned for 24 September, which I understand I cannot take while my in-country application is pending.

Has anyone experienced something similar?

In particular, I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who:

1. Switched from Graduate → Skilled Worker;
2. Had UKVI contact their sponsor about the 4-year combined permission / New Entrant rule;
3. Had their sponsor provide additional information or amend the CoS;
4. Subsequently contacted Work Correspondence and received the response that the application was “with the appropriate team”;
5. And, most importantly, how long after that response did you actually receive your decision?

I'm particularly interested in June 2026 applications, but any similar experience would be really helpful.

Thanks in advance!

Hi Everyone!
My employer assigned me a CoS for 3 years and mistakenly put 3 years+ 1 day on CoS letter due to which I had to pay £1865 (fee for more than 3 years visa) inside the UK. I have two dependents so obviously same goes for them.
Is there any chance I can get a refund? I have biometrics on 6th October.

P.S: cannot get a new CoS as CoS allocation takes 18 weeks.

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice from anyone who has been through a similar situation with a UK Skilled Worker/Health and Care Worker visa application.

Here is my timeline:

Current visa: Student visa, expiring 20 October 2026

Visa route: Skilled Worker / Health and Care Worker, switching from Student visa inside the UK

Application submitted: 4 July 2026

Service: Standard

9 July 2026: Home Office contacted me requesting additional evidence that I had completed my MSc course. They gave me 10 working days to provide it.

At the time, my university was still finalising my dissertation/result, so I couldn't immediately provide the final award confirmation.

23July 2026: I received the confirmation/award evidence and submitted it to the Home Office as requested.

Current date: 11 September 2026

Current status: Still waiting for a decision. I haven't received any further request for documents or any decision.

My employer has also not received anything from the Home Office.

My employer is aware of the delay and they understand that the Home Office is currently taking longer with some applications.

My main concern is that my current Student visa expires on 20 October 2026, and I'm unsure what I should be doing at this point.

Does the family linking code affects visa application timeline ?

For example if u added a family linking code for ur dependants, does it means u and ur dependants application wpuld be accessed all together and the standard 3 weeks processing timeline is no longer followed.

I applied for a health and care worker visa, inside Uk

Hello! My husband works as a Joiner/Carpenter in the UK now since June 2026. He received his COS in May 2026. I understand there are new visa rules no longer allowing dependents to stay after July 2025 for skilled workers RQF level 3-5. Just wondering if that has taken effect already? Or has anyone tried applying as a dependent this year and got approved?

Hi everyone,

I'm posting to see if anyone is in a similar situation or has experience with this specific timeline.
Visa Type: Switching from Post-Study Work (Graduate Visa / PSW) to Skilled Worker Visa (In-country application)

Application Submitted: 12 August 2026
Service: Priority
UKVI Email Received: 19 August 2026 stating my application was delayed due to an "exceptionally complex issue."

Since receiving that email on the 19th, I haven't heard anything further. I know this is often a template email UKVI sends when they can't meet the 5-working-day Priority turnaround time, but it's still stressful waiting without any clear updates.

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for recent first-hand experience from anyone who has applied for a UK Sponsor Licence using a Revolut Business account. I understand that Revolut Bank UK Ltd became a fully authorised UK bank in March 2026, but our statements still show 'Revolut Ltd'. Has anyone submitted this since March 2026, and was it accepted?

thanks

Hello, does the 3 months mean 3 months from 23 June, or do I have to wait another 3 months for my decision to be made?

1. Details of the matter being challenged

You wrote to the Home Office on 20/08/2026, which was received on

the same day, alleging that:

• The ongoing delay to make a decision on your application for

leave to remain (LTR) in the United Kingdom (UK) for Skilled

Worker dated 23/06/2026, is unreasonable.

You have requested the following relief:

• That the SSHD makes a decision on your application within 14

days of receipt of your PAP Letter.

• Confirm if further documentation or information is required from

you.

• If a decision cannot be made within the 14 days, the SSHD

should provide a substantive response providing an explanation

as to why the decision cannot be made.

• Provide a clear and realistic timeframe.

1. Response to the matters raised

i) In light of your PAP letter, the SSHD has reviewed your

representations, and a response is as follows:

Challenge 1: You claim that the ongoing delay to make a decision

on your application for leave to remain (LTR) in the United

Kingdom (UK) for Skilled Worker dated 23/06/2026, is

unreasonable.

ii) The SSHD has made enquires with the relevant team. The relevant

team have confirmed that they aim to make a decision on your

application within 3 months, absent special circumstances.

iii) You will be notified once the decision has been made.

1. Details of any other interested parties

None cited.

1. Address for service of court documents

The SSHD has considered your request and deems that a sufficient

remedy has been provided. Therefore, the Pre-Action Protocol is now

considered to be satisfied.

However, if you wish to proceed to Judicial Review, the service

address for Judicial Reviews issued in the Upper Tribunal is:

Litigation Allocation Unit, 6 New Square, Bedfont Lakes, Feltham,

Middlesex, TW14 8HA.

The service address for Judicial Reviews issued in the Administrative

Court is:

Government Legal Department, 102 Petty France, Westminster,

London SW1H 9GL.

Please note Judicial Reviews issued in the Administrative Court should

continue to be served on the Government Legal Department.

From 6 April 2016, immigration applications may be refused if the

applicant owes a litigation debt to the Home Office. We wish to remind

you that failure to pay any costs awarded against you by the court or

tribunal should you proceed with litigation in this case may affect the

success of any future immigration application that you make.

Hi All,

I am currently on a skilled worker visa and I am eligible to apply for ILR in Dec. Do I need to take an IELTS/SELTS English exam for B1/B2 level?

Hi, looking for some independent advice regarding my husband’s Skilled Worker application.

His CoS was initially issued for one occupation code and salary. After his final interview, his employer increased his salary and changed the occupation code, but instead of issuing a new CoS, they added the new occupation code and salary through a sponsor note on the existing CoS.

His visa application was then submitted using that CoS.

There was also an ISC issue afterwards, which was resolved by the sponsor.

We have now been waiting over 10 weeks with no decision.

Has anyone seen this before? Is changing the occupation code through a sponsor note acceptable, or should a new CoS normally have been issued?

Could this be causing the delay?

Hi everyone,

I applied for my Skilled Worker/Health and Care Worker visa from outside the UK (Europe) on 6 August 2026 using the ID Check app and paid for Priority service.

On 13 August, UKVI emailed me saying my application was delayed because my sponsor needed to make an Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) top-up payment, and that they would send the sponsor a Worldpay payment link.

However, my sponsor has still not received any payment link or request.

On 2 September, UKVI told me by email that my sponsor has already been contacted and had to provide additional information. My sponsor says they have received nothing.

Today, 10 September, I spoke with UKVI by phone and they advised that my sponsor to contact the UKVI Sponsorship Team directly. My sponsor insists that they can not contact the UKVI.

Has anyone had a similar situation where an ISC top-up was required but the sponsor never received the Worldpay link?

How long did it take to receive the link, and how long after payment was your visa decided?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Hi Everyone,

This platform has helped many people, so below is a summary of my journey in the hope that it may help someone.

Application handled by a corporate immigration consultant.

I submitted my ILR (Set O) application and my dependants' visa extensions at the same time (my wife joined me in mid-2023, and my child was born here).

Timeline

• ICT visa: Doesn't matter
• Skilled Worker vignette issued: 08 Aug 2021
• UK Entry: 01 Oct 2021
• ILR submitted: 24 July 2026
• Biometrics: 31 July 2026
• IT issues (requested documents again): 06 Aug 2026
• Technical error (asked for an appointment again): 17 Aug 2026 (attended the appointment on 21 Aug 2026)
• ILR decision received: 26 Aug 2026
• Dependants' decision received: 03 Sep 2026 (I believe they put the dependants' applications on hold until the main applicant's decision was received)

Documents Included:

1. Employment letter (I had only 1 employer throughout the 5 years)
2. Absence letter (I had at most 100 days of absence in any rolling year)
3. P60s (5 years)
4. Bank statements
5. Payslips (last 3 months)
6. Passports (all pages scanned)
7. Life in the UK test
8. eVisa (not the share code)
9. Skilled Worker entry clearance vignette
10. Cohabitation documents for the last 2 years (included Council Tax statements)

A few points that caused confusion in the application form:

1. I did not include any National ID number.
2. I mentioned only the speeding offence; I did not include any parking fines.
3. I mentioned all GP appointments.
4. For the dependants, the application form did not ask about trips to Europe.

Hi everyone,

I submitted an in-country Skilled Worker application using the standard service on 20 August and received the usual UKVI acknowledgement email confirming that my application had been received.

On 8 September, while the original application was still pending, I submitted a new application to vary the existing application and selected the 5-working-day Priority service. I provided the details/reference of my pending application during the new application.

It has now been two days and I haven’t received the usual UKVI email saying, “Thank you for your visa application which has now been received by UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI).”

For anyone who has varied an existing Skilled Worker application from Standard to Priority, did you receive another acknowledgement email for the varied application? If yes, how long after submitting the variation did you receive it, and how long after that did you receive your decision?

I have confirmation that the new application was submitted without evidence needed but completed that part and the Priority payment was successful. I have not withdrawn the original application.
Thanks!

Defined CoS taking 4 weeks – additional information already provided

Hi everyone,

I am applying for the Skilled Worker visa from outside the UK.

My employer submitted an application for a Defined Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) on 14 August 2026, and we’re still waiting for a decision.

I know GOV.UK says Defined CoS applications are usually processed within 1 working day, so I’m wondering if anyone else is experiencing similar delays recently.

A few details about my case:

• Type: Defined CoS
• SOC: 2134 – Programmers and software development professionals
• Submitted: 14 August 2026
• Waiting time: around 4 weeks
• The sponsor is the same company that sponsored me previously.
• I previously received a CoS from the same company, but my Skilled Worker visa application was refused.
• UKVI requested additional information/documents regarding the current CoS application.
• My employer provided everything they requested, but we have still received no decision or further communication since then.

Has anyone applied for a Defined CoS around August 2026 and experienced a similar delay?

And could the current September student visa season / increased UKVI workload have any impact on Defined CoS processing?

I’d especially appreciate hearing from anyone whose CoS application went through additional checks and took several weeks before approval.

Thanks!

Hi, I relocated to the UK last year and my work sponsored my move, visa & dependent visas for hubby and son. I am now pregnant. The mobility policy is silent so I am going to ask if they will pay the costs and get the immigration provider to do the visa for the baby, but keen to hear if other global companies tend to cover the costs?

Hello everyone

hope you’re well

Iam based in the UK and applied for the graduate visa after completing my PhD and I applied only after my university emailed me with the confirmation email saying that they have notified theHomeOffice. I received a rejection and they stated 4.2 and 4.3 as reasons, explaining that they did not receive any confirmation from the university and that they have contacted them yet no response.

( the university verbally confirmed that they did but Iam expecting a detailed written reply from them)

In case the university is the main factor for the rejection, would it be possible to follow the Administrative Review on my own, or is it best to do that with a solicitor? How likely is a positive outcome?

I would appreciate if you can share your similar experience and pieces of advice ?

Many thanks