Existing Skilled Migrant Forum (ESM) - 2025

We came to the UK with a promise. Now that promise is being broken.

As skilled workers under the Skilled Worker visa route, we made the life-changing decision to move to the UK with the understanding that after 5 years of lawful work and residence, we’d be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

That 5-year pathway was not just a policy—it was a promise, a commitment that shaped our families’ futures.

Now, with a sudden policy change extending ILR eligibility to 10 years, our lives have been thrown into uncertainty. We’ve contributed to the NHS, education, engineering, social care, and tech. We’ve paid taxes, supported communities, and built our lives here. Applying this change retrospectively to those already in the UK is unjust.

We’re asking the UK government for fairness:

Honor the 5-year ILR pathway for skilled workers who arrived before the rule change.

We are not asking for special treatment—only that the commitments made to us when we arrived be respected.

Please share to support justice for skilled workers.

Thank you. 

#SkilledWorkerJustice #FairILRforSkilledWorkers #HonorThe5YearPromise #UKSkilledWorkers #MigrantWorkersMatter #ILRnot10Years #SkilledWorkersDeserveFairness #SupportSkilledMigrants #RespectImmigrationPromises