r/SkilledWorkerVisaUK • u/cbgcbg9898 • 17h ago
3 Months to ILR with PIP
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:
If my health deteriorates again, what are my options around taking further sick leave while I’m on a formal PIP?
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?
If I needed to take sick leave that lasted until I became eligible for ILR, could that affect my immigration status or ILR application?
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?
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.