Tier 2 Work Visa Path (Most Common)
Years 1-5: Sponsored work visa (Tier 2). Employer must sponsor you. Maximum 5 years initially.
Year 5+: Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). You've worked 5 years on sponsored visa.
Year 6+: Apply for British citizenship. You need 12 months of ILR status.
Study Visa Path (Slightly Longer)
Years 1-3+: Student visa. Complete your degree.
Post-study work visa: 2 years to work in UK.
Year 3-5: Work visa or switch to Tier 2.
Year 5+: Apply for ILR.
Timeline Examples
- Fast track: Work visa approved at 25 → 5 years work → ILR approved → 1 year → Citizenship (total 6 years)
- Student route: Student visa at 18 → 3 years study → 2 years post-study work → 2 years work visa → ILR → Citizenship (total 8 years)