In the world of immigration, the UK's Skilled Worker Visa opens doors to new opportunities. It invites people from afar to work and live in the UK for up to five years. But beyond this, there's another goal - achieving Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), the key to permanent life in the UK.

Let's explore whether achieving ILR through the Skilled Worker Visa is a straightforward and smooth path.

A Skilled Worker Visa applicant must be proficient in English (level B1) and have a job offer from a sponsor-licensed employer. This is the most important requirement. After five years of continuous residence in the UK and completing specific additional requirements, the individual can apply for ILR.

However, the applicant must consider several potential obstacles to obtaining permanent residency, or ILR, including:

• Employment Loss: The visa relies on employment, as you are tied to your employer for five years. If you lose your job and wages, you must find another one within a specific time limit or risk leaving the UK.
• Sponsorship Licence Issues: If the employer (sponsor) loses its licence to employ foreign workers as a holder of a Skilled Worker Visa, your stay and path to ILR may be jeopardised.
• Absences from the UK: Extended absences from the UK may threaten the continuity required for ILR.
• Changes in immigration regulations: Immigration regulations may change throughout five years, impacting your eligibility for ILR.

Taking these things into account, you could find yourself in situations where:

• You wish to change jobs but are hesitant due to the administrative burden.
• You want to safeguard your status because of potential layoffs or job loss.
• You aspire to establish your own business, but your Skilled Worker visa restricts this possibility.

In such situations, people often face a tough decision: how to stay in the UK and protect their progress towards ILR, all while ensuring the visa status of their dependents.
Our recommendation: Explore the possibility of applying for a business visa. The Innovator Founder visa shines as a beacon of opportunity among these options. The Innovator Founder Visa, introduced in April 2023, provides a chance for people experiencing difficulties with the Skilled Worker Visa.

The Innovator Founder Visa brings strong advantages.
3-year Path to ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain): You can secure Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK within three years without combining it with previous visas.

• Flexibility of Employment: You can work for another company while developing your business.
• Opportunity for Further Education: You can pursue educational opportunities to enhance your skills and qualifications.

The attractiveness of the Innovator Founder Visa is that it emphasises the entrepreneur's competencies rather than employment dependence, thereby providing a more stable path to ILR. While the Skilled Worker Visa allows professionals to work and live in the United Kingdom, the uncertainties connected with employment and sponsorships may make the ILR journey difficult. Switching to the Innovator Founder Visa is possible, especially for those with a business mindset.