Can Redundancy Affect Your ILR Application on a Skilled Worker Visa?

You've worked hard, completed 5 years on a Skilled Worker visa, and you're finally ready to apply for ILR. Then your employer drops a bombshell: redundancy is on the table, your name is in the pool, and they've mentioned it in your ILR support letter. This is an understandably stressful situation — so let's look at what it actually means for your application.

What Does the Home Office Check for ILR?

For ILR on the Skilled Worker route, the Home Office primarily checks that:

• You have completed 5 years continuous lawful residence
• You have been employed in a qualifying role throughout
• Your employer confirms your employment at the time of application
• You meet the salary threshold and other requirements

The key phrase is at the time of application. ILR is assessed on your current circumstances when you submit, not on speculation about what might happen in the future.

Does Being "At Risk" of Redundancy Affect the Decision?

Being in a redundancy pool does not automatically affect your ILR application, as long as you are still employed at the time you submit. The Home Office assesses your status on the date of application — if you are still employed and your employer confirms this, your application can proceed normally.

However, the mention of potential redundancy in your employer letter is unusual and could raise questions. Ideally, your ILR employer letter should simply confirm your employment, job title, salary, and support for your application — without volunteering information about internal HR processes.

What Should You Do?

• Submit as soon as possible while you are still employed. Do not wait to see how the redundancy process plays out.
• Ask your employer to reissue the letter without the redundancy reference if possible. The letter only needs to confirm your current employment — future uncertainty is irrelevant to the Home Office assessment.
• Do not delay — if you are made redundant after submitting, your application is assessed on your status at submission date. If you are made redundant before submitting, your situation changes significantly.

What If You Are Made Redundant After Submitting?

If redundancy occurs after your ILR application is submitted, you should notify the Home Office. However, the general position is that ILR on the Skilled Worker route is assessed at the point of application. Seek legal advice immediately if this happens, as the situation can be complex.

Key Takeaways

• Submit your ILR application while you are still employed — do not wait
• Being at risk of redundancy does not disqualify you if you are still employed at submission
• Ask your employer to provide a clean letter confirming employment without referencing redundancy
• If made redundant before submitting, seek immigration legal advice urgently

Timing is everything here. Act quickly, get a clean employer letter, and submit while your employment status is secure.