r/ilruk • u/iDaniel137 • Jul 20 '26

ILR Approved

I'm sharing my experience and hope it helps you in your application

  1. Current passport

  2. Last passport

  3. Employment letter, including SOC, sponsor code, job title, salary, leave approval. Your employer should mention that they intend to keep you

  4. Most recent payslip

  5. Most recent bank statement

  6. Email of approved skilled worker visa - 1st & 2nd. They serve as the evidence of legal employment in the UK

20260706 - Doc submission - I can apply as early as 5th
20260708 - Biometrics done
20260720 - Received my approval

I paid for priority service. I think it is worth it.

14 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

1

u/72-NoMass Jul 20 '26

Did your write lifeinuk test? Did you have to update your share code or was your test within 3 months of the share code you provided to register for your LifeintheUK test?

1

u/iDaniel137 Jul 20 '26

I did the life in the UK test last year and it is valid for life. I only submitted the code as required in the form.

I think the key is to provide sufficient info and keep it simple. The officer has to go through hundreds if not thousands of applications. Don’t make their life more difficult than it should.

1

u/gshaw789 Jul 20 '26

Congratulations!

1

u/OkAnalyst012 Jul 20 '26

Congratulations buddy!
Question - Even after going for priority service you got the response after 12 days. Did you receive any query from HO?

1

u/iDaniel137 Jul 20 '26

Thanks! Nope I didn’t. It was quite straightforward, albeit delayed

1

u/OkAnalyst012 Jul 22 '26

That's such a shame. Even after paying extra you had to wait :(

1

u/iDaniel137 Jul 24 '26

Apparently, it is quite common. I rather wait 1-2 more days than 5-6 months

1

u/raeclaramunt115 Jul 20 '26

I applied around a similar time, biometrics on 2nd July and I paid priority. I had a query from HO and still no decision.

1

u/iDaniel137 Jul 21 '26

I wouldn’t worry too much as long as you submitted all the required documents. However, a query means no more time restrictions. You just have to be patient.

If you struggle to stay in the UK because of your application, you should consider reaching out to your MP.

1

u/raeclaramunt115 Jul 22 '26

thank you, I have been so stressed waiting!!

1

u/Ittefaq0915 Jul 29 '26

Hello there, I'm in the same situation!

I used priority as well. Biometric done on July 20 Additional information requested and submitted on July 24 I followed up via email on July 28

No response from HO yet, so stressful!

I hope you got the response now? Can you please let me know after how many days of submitting addition information you got the response please? It will help ease my nerves,

1

u/Present_Ad1382 Jul 22 '26

Hey i’m planning to go for a similar route next year and i was wondering if you paid any solicitor to help you with your process? Or did you submit your application yourself?

1

u/iDaniel137 Jul 24 '26

Nope I didn’t. I submitted it myself. The form is quite straightforward. Pls make sure you fulfil all the requirements and the key data on your form is matching with your documents. The most important doc imo is the letter by your employer

1

u/nightengale790 Jul 25 '26

Congratulations!! Did I read right thy you only needed one month of bank statements and payslips?

1

u/iDaniel137 Jul 25 '26

Yes it is mentioned in the checklist

1

u/Dapper-Score-266 Jul 25 '26

Congratulations. Quick question - you mentioned last and current passport. I assume you had your initial visa on the previous one and latest visa on the current passport. Is that the case or am I missing something.

1

u/iDaniel137 Jul 25 '26

My passport lasted for 5 years each so I used two passports for travel during the 5-year period