u/Background_Pianist41 — reddlx

Hi all, sharing my ILR experience as a Skilled Worker in case useful.

The application was made through Fragomen, my company's immigration contractor.

Timeline:

Entered the UK: June 2021
Visa/BRP validity started before my first entry, around late April / early May 2021. Fragomen treated 26 April 2021 as my 5-year residence start date, so I was eligible to apply from 29 March 2026.
Application submitted: 2 April 2026
Biometrics: Thursday 16 April 2026, 10:30am
Approval email: Wednesday 22 April 2026

Fees:

My company paid for the ILR application + priority service, around £3,500 total.
Application was submitted via the priority route, expected processing up to 5 business days after biometrics. Without the £500 priority fee, expected turnaround time is 6 months.

Biometrics:

I live in Birmingham but Birmingham appointments were only available from end of April.
Earliest slot Fragomen found was Wolverhampton Library UKVCAS Service Point, so I went there instead.
Appointment was straightforward: passport/ID check, fingerprints, photo. Took ~15m.

Documents / prep:

Uploaded passport, current eVisa screenshot, previous UK visa/BRP/approval letters, payslips, bank statements showing salary deposits, P60s, Life in the UK pass confirmation, and absence spreadsheet.
Employer support letter and letter certifying absences from my current employer, was handled by Fragomen.
I uploaded my P45 from my previous employer. I asked if I needed a previous employer letter for absences, but Fragomen confirmed I did not.
For travel history in the online form, Fragomen told me not to enter all 10 years. I entered the latest trip and added a comment saying to refer to the enclosed Schedule of Absences.
I disclosed a bus lane fine under penalties, as Fragomen advised including traffic fines if unsure.

Life in the UK:

After approval: