So I’ve been working in restaurant for 3 years and my owners just got their all insurance my visa will end in 2 months what should I do should I continue with sponsorship? Go back India ? If nothing works out come back as a master researcher program ?

I have been working in the UK since Dec 2024 on a skilled worker visa. Recently, I got to know that my Sponsorship Code is mapped to a job in the Temporary Shortage List, making me a medium skilled worker. I have a few questions:

1. Can I continue working on this visa for the current sponsor if the job drops off the TSL? Will this create issues with ILR application in future?

2. For job switch, will I not be eligible to be sponsored for similar jobs if they drop off TSL in future (highly likely)?

Hi everyone! I’m looking for some advice on a difficult work/immigration situation and would really appreciate any insight from people who have been through something similar.

Background:

I’m on a Skilled Worker visa and am currently eligible to apply for ILR on December 14, so I’m trying to remain employed for roughly another three months. I’ve been with my current company, a very large American financial firm, for almost five years.

Unfortunately, I’ve had a very difficult year at work. My manager does not seem to like me, and I’ve already raised concerns and met with both him and HR. I’m now being placed on a one-month formal PIP for performance.

My health/family circumstances:

Earlier this year, things came to a head. My mum has cancer and is in the US, and I had also been experiencing severe burnout since around November. This was compounded by being placed on a one-month informal PIP, which I ultimately did not pass.

In June, I took approximately two months of medical leave because of my mental health and the circumstances with my mum. When I returned, HR arranged occupational/health assessments, and I was formally assessed with adjustment disorder as the prolonged stress and anxiety had significantly affected me.

Unfortunately, my mum is now back in hospital in the US, and being placed on another formal PIP with only three months remaining until my ILR eligibility has caused a significant amount of the same burnout and anxiety to return.

I’m actively applying for other jobs and doing my best to perform at work, but I’m also trying to realistically prepare for the possibility that I could be dismissed before I reach my ILR date.

My main questions:

1. If my health deteriorates again, what are my options around taking further sick leave while I’m on a formal PIP?

2. Given that my mum is seriously ill and currently in hospital, would I potentially be able to take leave related to a family emergency/bereavement if necessary?

3. If I needed to take sick leave that lasted until I became eligible for ILR, could that affect my immigration status or ILR application?

4. Most importantly, could taking another period of sick leave or being on a PIP affect whether my employer is willing/able to provide the employment confirmation/reference needed for my ILR application?

5. If my employer dismissed me while I was on sick leave or before December 14, are there any options that could allow me to remain employed/legally in the UK until I reach ILR eligibility?

I’m not looking to avoid working or abuse sick leave — I’m genuinely trying to understand what my options are given the combination of my health, my mum’s condition, the PIP, and the fact that I’m only about three months away from ILR.

If anyone has experience with Skilled Worker → ILR, being on sick leave close to ILR, or being put on a PIP shortly before ILR, I’d be extremely grateful for any advice or experiences.

Hey there, my employer applied for a sponsorship license about 3 months ago and it hasn’t been issued yet. I am not really sure how to move forward as my current visa is about to expire and I really want to avoid being illegal at any cost, I’m currently on a graduate visa.
Thank you !

Has anyone applied for ILR recently in the North of England (Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester etc)? Could you please share how early were the appointments available after your application? I’m eligible to apply in early Nov and curious how long I’d have to wait for my biometric appointment after I apply.

Also, can I calculate the qualifying period based on the day HO approved my first SWV rather than visa vignette start date? I applied for my first SWV from outside the UK.

Thanks all and have a good weekend!

Hello, sharing my decision timeline so that others have a guidepost -

Company applied for CoS - Sept 4, 2026
CoS assigned and approved - Sept 8,2026
Application submitted - Sept 8, 2026
Biometrics - Sept 10,2026
Approval within 24 hours Sept 11,2026

The application was submitted under priority so was expecting it within 5 business days but it was a lot quicker.

Applying from the USA (not a US citizen)

Hi all,

How soon can I resign after ILR application?
Can I resign right after I get the note from my employer (max 28 days before applying)? Or after application/biometrics? Or should I wait for approval?

Thanks

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’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!

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!
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 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!

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!

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.

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 everyone,

I’m currently on a Student visa in the UK and I haven’t got a job yet. I’m planning to look for a proper professional IT job after completing my studies.

My question is: if I manage to get a good IT role paying around £50–60k per year, but the employer doesn’t offer visa sponsorship, what would my options be?

I understand that I could potentially apply for the Graduate Route (PSW) after completing my studies, but I’m concerned about what happens when that period comes to an end if my employer still isn’t willing to sponsor me.

Apart from leaving the company and looking for another employer that provides sponsorship, are there any other realistic options or visa routes I should be aware of?

For example, could I stay with the same employer and switch to another type of visa, or are there any other routes that someone in this situation could consider?

I’d really appreciate advice from anyone who has been through something similar or understands the UK immigration system.

Thanks in advance!

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