How do I get permanent residency in the UK after my Masters as an Indian student?
UK permanent residency, officially Indefinite Leave to Remain, requires switching from your student visa to a Skilled Worker visa and completing 5 continuous years on it. Your Masters and 2-year Graduate visa time do not count. Use the Graduate route to find a sponsored job first.
UK permanent residency is officially called Indefinite Leave to Remain, and the key thing to understand is what counts toward it. Your Masters study and even your Graduate visa years do not count; only 5 continuous years on a qualifying work visa move you toward settlement.
The Step-by-Step Pathway
| Step | Visa | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Graduate Route | 2 years to find a sponsored job, no employer needed |
| 2 | Skilled Worker Visa | Switch before the Graduate visa expires |
| 3 | 5 years on Skilled Worker | Continuous lawful residence that counts toward ILR |
| 4 | Indefinite Leave to Remain | Apply for permanent residency |
Key Requirements to Watch
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Licensed sponsor | Your employer must hold a Home Office sponsor licence |
| Continuous residence | Avoid long absences that break the 5-year clock |
| Life in the UK test | Required at the ILR stage along with English proficiency |
My Advice
Treat the Graduate visa as a job-hunting sprint, because switching to a Skilled Worker role early starts your 5-year ILR clock sooner. Prioritise employers with a proven sponsor licence, keep every absence short and documented, and budget for the visa and Life in the UK test costs well before you apply for settlement.
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