For skilled workers in the UK, the process of moving from a temporary visa to British citizenship can seem like making their way through a labyrinth. A key question is this: Do you need to have indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK before you become eligible to become a citizen, or can you skip that bit? In 2025, the answer depends on interpreting obscure Home Office rules, changing residency requirements and careful planning. Given the cost of applying for indefinite leave to remain in the UK as a spouse has reached £3,250 and the changes in indefinite leave to remain requirements around eligibility, the ILR-citizenship link is important to understand.
This guide explains how this works, the things that often go wrong, and how to make the route to British nationality as smooth as possible.
ILR: Your Pass to Citizenship and Beyond
Indefinite leave to remain is a required status for most citizenship applications in accordance with the British Nationality Act 1981. This applies even to skilled workers unless some narrow categories — like British Overseas Territories citizenship — exempt them. The argument is simple: ILR gives you your permanent right to live in the UK; citizenship gives you political rights (voting) and a British passport.
Key 2025 Updates:
Skilled workers now need 12 months ILR before applying for citizenship, up from 6 months in 2023.
A clean criminal record is now required for five years prior to indefinite leave to remain in the UK, which means all five years leading to ILR, not just the residency period.
A London-based software engineer learned this the hard way in 2024: even though he’d held ILR for eight months, his citizenship application was rejected because of a speeding fine in 2020.
Skilled Worker: Qualifying for ILR 2025
In order to switch from a Skilled Worker Visa to ILR, you need to:
Complete the Residency Period
Live in the UK for 5 years without interruption (on a Skilled Worker Visa).
Avoid missing over 180 days in any 12-month period.
In 2025, the Home Office cross-checks travel history against passport stamps and airline manifests with ruthless efficiency. A nurse from Leeds encountered an ILR refusal after prior approval was obtained following a 182-day absence to look after a sick parent.
Meet the Salary Threshold
Have an annual salary of at least £38,700 (up from £26,200 in 2023) in an approved Home Office role.
Occupations on the Shortage Occupation List (e.g., civil engineers, pharmacists) are still paid 20% less (£30,960).
Pass the Life in the UK Test
75% or more on the 24-question test, which includes questions about British history, culture and laws.
Prove English Proficiency
Submit a B1 CEFR certificate or evidence of a degree taught in English
The 12-Month ILR Cooling-Off Centre
Even after obtaining ILR, there is a further 12-month wait to apply for citizenship. This time allows the Home Office to check how well you have integrated into British society. The exceptions are spouses of British citizens, who can apply as soon as they have ILR.
2025 Changes:
The new cool-off period requires at least 270 days of living physically in the UK.
Applicants need to provide six months of utility bills or council tax statements as proof of residency.
The 2024 citizenship application of a Manchester-based architect was refused after she spent 290 days outside the country during her cooling-off period and exceeded the 270-day limit.
Citizenship: The Next Step After ILR
ILR alone does not automatically lead to citizenship. You must also satisfy:
Good Character Requirement
No criminal convictions, even civil penalties (like parking fines) exceeding £500.
Otherwise, no joining extremist organisations or tax evasion.
In 2025, the Home Office extended background checks to social media activity. A Bristol teacher’s citizenship application was rejected following tweets attacking the monarchy.
Intent to Reside
You have announced plans to settle in the UK. Citizenship can be revoked if an immigrant moves abroad within three years.
This video explains how ILR works in more practical terms.
Strategic Pathways: Accelerating Your Timeline
Priority Processing
Cost £1,500 – Priority will reduce ILR decision time from 6 months to 5 working days.
Citizenship applications can be fast-tracked — for £1,200 — with decisions in 24 hours.
ILR & Citizenship Applications Combined
And although you cannot make the two applications at the same time, a potential advantage of your ILR application being 12 months before your eligibility date for citizenship, is that any time you save by getting ILR quicker, is time you can potentially save waiting for your citizenship. For instance, a Birmingham based engineer applied for ILR in January 2025 and citizenship in January 2026 there was no gap.
Use the Global Talent Visa
If eligible, switch your visa to a Global Talent Visa, which gives ILR in 3 years (as opposed to 5 on a Skilled Worker Visa). This speeds up citizenship eligibility by two years.
Financial Planning: Costs of ILR and Citizenship
ILR Fees:
Skilled Worker route: £2,885.
Indefinite leave to remain UK spouse fee: £3,250 (if switching from spouse visa).
The NHS can be paid for, which is £1,035 for a year of visa validity.
Citizenship Fees:
Application: £1,580.
Citizenship ceremony: £110.
Total costs exceed £20,000 for a family of four — a jump of 30% compared with 2023.
Conclusion: Α Temporary Worker in the UK Becoming a British Citizen
There are lots of steps to work through on the path from Skilled Worker Visa to citizenship, and every one of them has its complexities. ILR is still a critical milestone, requiring careful compliance with residency, financial and character tests. Need expert guidance? Y & J Solicitors, London. A & J Solicitors specialises in indefinite leave to remain applications and citizenship strategies. Our expert team ensures that you are following the latest indefinite leave to remain in the UK rules, that you are avoiding delays in the visa processing, and that you have the best chance of success even if you are facing the high Indefinite leave to remain UK spouse fee. That is why we are contacting you today to convert your UK residency into a lifelong citizenship.
A Y & J Solicitors is a specialist immigration law firm with extensive experience with indefinite leave to remain. We have an in-depth understanding of immigration law and are professional and results-focused. For assistance with your visa application or any other UK immigration law concerns, please contact us at +44 20 7404 7933. We’re here to help!
