Master prompt
ILR via Skilled Worker — 5-year settlement application
Drafts the SET (Settlement) application via Skilled Worker 5-year route including continuous residence + KOL + salary checks.
UKILRSkilled WorkerSettlementAppendix Skilled WorkerAppendix CR
For [CLIENT_NAME], applying for ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) via the Skilled Worker 5-year continuous residence route, drafted under Appendix Skilled Worker (settlement provisions SW 12+) and Appendix Continuous Residence (CR 1-6). §1 — ELIGIBILITY OVERVIEW (100-120 words) ILR via Skilled Worker requires: ▪ 5 years continuous residence in UK on Skilled Worker / Tier 2 General visa(s) ▪ Continuous residence per Appendix CR (max 180 days absence per 12-month period — see §3) ▪ Currently sponsored by an A-rated sponsor with valid CoS ▪ Salary at the higher of GBP 38,700 OR going rate for SOC code at the time of ILR application ▪ KOL: Life in UK test passed + English at B1 CEFR ▪ No more than 30 days "broken" status in qualifying period ▪ Suitability: no adverse criminal / immigration history (Appendix FM-SE 8 grounds) For [CLIENT_NAME] starting Skilled Worker on [FIRST_SW_START_DATE]: 5-year qualifying period ends on [FIRST_SW_START_DATE + 5 years]. §2 — TIME COMPUTATION + STATUS CHAIN (120-150 words) Time on Skilled Worker / Tier 2 General can be combined: ▪ Time on Tier 2 General (pre-December 2020) counts ▪ Time on Skilled Worker (December 2020+) counts ▪ Time on Health and Care Worker (overlay of Skilled Worker) counts ▪ Time on certain GBM routes does NOT count (GBM is NOT a settlement route) ▪ Time on Student / Graduate Route / Visitor does NOT count (different routes) For [CLIENT_NAME]: ▪ First Skilled Worker / Tier 2 start date: [FIRST_SW_START_DATE] ▪ Earliest ILR application date: [FIRST_SW_START_DATE + 5 years - 28 days] (can apply up to 28 days before 5-year completion) ▪ Continuous status chain verified — no gaps in visa coverage Status gaps: ▪ Up to 30 days "out of time" / overstayer absences = forgiven (Appendix CR 4.1) ▪ Beyond 30 days gap = reset 5-year clock §3 — ABSENCES UNDER APPENDIX CR (150-180 words) Continuous residence definition (Appendix CR 4): ▪ Maximum 180 days absence from UK in any rolling 12-month period ▪ Calculated as: count absence days in any consecutive 12-month window during the qualifying period ▪ Even ONE 12-month window with 181+ days absence = breach [ABSENCES_HISTORY] analysis: ▪ List each absence: departure date, return date, days absent, reason ▪ Calculate cumulative absences in rolling 12-month windows ▪ Flag any 12-month window with absences approaching 180 days Acceptable absence reasons (do NOT exempt from 180-day limit but help framing): ▪ Annual leave / personal travel ▪ Business trips ▪ Family emergencies (medical, bereavement) ▪ Indian-specific: weddings, religious ceremonies (Diwali, Christmas family visits), parental care UKVI does NOT exempt absences based on reason (general rule). Specific exceptions: ▪ Serious / compelling family reason — limited discretionary ▪ Pandemic / travel ban (during COVID years 2020-2021 — limited grace) ▪ Compelling employment reason — limited discretionary For Indian applicants: parental care + family events common reasons; document carefully but expect strict 180-day enforcement. §4 — KOL — LIFE IN UK + ENGLISH (100-120 words) Appendix KOL requires: Life in UK Test: ▪ 45-minute computer-based test at official test centre ▪ 24 questions on British history, culture, politics, geography ▪ Pass mark: 75% (18+/24 correct) ▪ Booking via lifeintheuktest.service.gov.uk ▪ Fee: GBP 50 ▪ Test result valid INDEFINITELY (no expiry) ▪ For [CLIENT_NAME]: [LIFE_IN_UK_TEST] English at B1 CEFR: ▪ Same standards as Skilled Worker entry ▪ Acceptable: prior degree taught in English (most Indian Bachelor's qualify) + ENIC-UK letter if non-UK degree, OR IELTS UKVI Academic 4.0 each skill, OR nationality (not applicable for India) ▪ For [CLIENT_NAME]: [ENGLISH_EVIDENCE] §5 — SALARY CHECK AT ILR (80-100 words) At ILR application date: ▪ Applicant must be employed by A-rated Skilled Worker sponsor ▪ Salary must be at the higher of GBP 38,700 (current threshold) OR going rate for SOC code ▪ If applicant in role with lower salary at time of ILR: cannot apply For [CLIENT_NAME] at [CURRENT_EMPLOYER] earning [SALARY]: ▪ Compare against current GBP 38,700 + SOC code going rate ▪ If below: defer ILR application; negotiate salary increase or wait for SOC going rate update Common issue: ▪ Salary thresholds change in April annually (Statement of Changes) ▪ April 2024 increase from GBP 26,200 to GBP 38,700 caught many applicants §6 — SUITABILITY GROUNDS (100-120 words) UKVI checks suitability under FM-SE 8 (Mandatory) and 9 (Discretionary): Mandatory refusal grounds: ▪ Conviction for offence with 4+ years imprisonment ▪ Conviction for offence with 12 months+ where time elapsed since end of sentence < 10 years ▪ False representation / deception (Section 9 false rep — 10-year ban) Discretionary refusal grounds: ▪ Lower-level criminal convictions ▪ Civil debt to Home Office (e.g. NHS debt > GBP 500) ▪ Unpaid taxes / National Insurance gaps ▪ Bankruptcy ▪ Customs declaration breaches For [CLIENT_NAME]: ▪ Run mandatory check (driving offences, civil penalties, criminal record) ▪ India PCC + UK ACRO Police Certificate ▪ Address any NHS bills outstanding ▪ Tax compliance check via HMRC + India ITR §7 — APPLICATION DOCUMENTS (80-100 words) □ Passport bio page + current visa (BRP / eVisa) □ Job offer letter + current employer letter confirming continued employment + salary □ Sponsor employment reference □ Recent payslips (last 12 months) □ HMRC employment record □ Life in UK test certificate □ English language evidence □ Police certificates (UK ACRO + India PCC) □ Absences calendar with supporting documents (boarding passes, hotel bookings, etc.) □ Dependants' relationship + immigration evidence (if applying together) §8 — FEES + TIMELINE (60-80 words) Application fee: GBP 2,885 [VERIFY] Priority service: +GBP 500 (5 working days) Super Priority: +GBP 1,000 (next working day) Standard processing: 6 months After ILR grant: ▪ BRP / eVisa updated showing settled status ▪ Free movement in/out of UK without visa ▪ Can apply for British Citizenship after 12 months on ILR (and 5 years continuous residence) End with: "DRAFT — for OISC/IAA-registered adviser or solicitor review. The 180-day rolling absence rule is unforgiving; meticulous calendar reconstruction is mandatory. For Indian applicants, family travel patterns often breach the 180-day rule in years with weddings or parental illness — flag at start of qualifying period. Salary at ILR application date is the binding figure; April Statement of Changes can shift the threshold."
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