Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also known as settlement, allows eligible people to live and work in the UK without a time limit. It is an important step for many people who want to make the UK their permanent home and may eventually wish to apply for British citizenship.

The requirements for ILR depend on your immigration route. You may need to meet a qualifying residence period, continuous residence requirements, English language and Life in the UK requirements, financial or employment conditions, and suitability requirements.

If you are approaching your settlement date or are unsure whether you qualify, getting your eligibility checked before applying can help identify potential problems.

Wembley Solicitors is a specialist immigration law firm in London providing advice and assistance with Indefinite Leave to Remain applications.

Looking for specialist advice about your Indefinite Leave to Remain application? Call Wembley Solicitors on 020 3417 3700 to discuss your case with our immigration team.

Table of Contents

What is Indefinite Leave to Remain?

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is a form of permanent settlement that allows eligible people to live, work and study in the UK without a time limit.

You must have lived in the UK for the required qualifying period before applying for ILR, usually 5 years, with some routes requiring 3 or 10 years.

Unlike temporary immigration permission, ILR normally means you no longer need to extend your visa to continue living in the UK.

Subject to the applicable rules, ILR allows you to:

• Live in the UK without a time limit
• Work without requiring a work visa
• Study in the UK
• Change employment without needing further immigration permission
• Become self-employed or run a business
• Potentially access public funds if you meet the relevant eligibility rules
• Potentially apply for British citizenship once you meet the nationality requirements

Types of ILR Applications

There are several types of Indefinite Leave to Remain applications in the UK, based on the visa route you're settling from, including Skilled Worker, spouse/partner, Long Residence, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, and refugee or humanitarian protection.

• ILR based on a 10-year long residence
• Indefinite leave to remain after 5 years
• ILR as a skilled worker
• ILR as a health and care worker
• ILR as a spouse
• ILR as an unmarried partner
• ILR as a parent of a British child
• ILR as a refugee
• ILR for a child born & lived in the UK for 7 years
• ILR for a child after 7 years in the UK
• ILR as a bereaved partner
• ILR as a victim of domestic violence
• ILR application refusal

Who Can Apply for ILR?

You may qualify for ILR if you have completed the required qualifying period under an immigration route that leads to settlement and meet all the other requirements of that route.

Common routes that can lead to settlement include:

• Skilled Worker and qualifying work routes
• Spouse and partner visas
• Family routes
• Long residence
• Global Talent
• Innovator Founder
• UK Ancestry
• Certain other work, business and family routes

The qualifying period is not the same for every route. Five years is common for many work and family routes, while some routes can provide a shorter settlement period. The long residence route is generally based on 10 years of continuous lawful residence.

How Long Do You Need to Live in the UK Before ILR?

The time you need to live in the UK before applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) depends on your immigration route. For many people, the qualifying period is 5 years, while the long residence route generally requires 10 years of continuous lawful residence.

Common settlement routes include:

• Skilled Worker: usually 5 years
• Spouse or Partner: usually 5 years on the qualifying family route
• UK Ancestry: usually 5 years
• Global Talent: potentially 3 years
• Innovator Founder: potentially 3 years
• Long Residence: usually 10 years

You must also meet the other requirements for your route, such as continuous residence, English language, Life in the UK Test and suitability requirements, where applicable.

The qualifying period is not simply based on how long you have lived in the UK. Your visa history and circumstances also matter.

Can I Combine Time Spent on Different Visas?

In some circumstances, you can combine qualifying residence under different immigration categories, particularly under the 10-year long residence route.

However, some settlement routes require you to complete a specified period on that particular route.

If you have changed visas during your time in the UK, your immigration history should be reviewed before you apply.

What Are the ILR Requirements?

The main ILR requirements usually include completing the required qualifying period, meeting continuous residence requirements, satisfying English language and Life in the UK requirements where applicable, meeting route-specific conditions and passing the suitability requirements.

Depending on your circumstances, you may need to show that you:

• Have completed the required period of qualifying residence
• Meet the continuous residence and absence requirements
• Have passed the Life in the UK Test, where required
• Meet the relevant English language requirement
• Meet any applicable salary, financial, employment or business requirements
• Continue to meet the conditions of your settlement route
• Meet the relevant suitability requirements
• Provide the required supporting documents and evidence

The exact requirements can vary considerably between routes such as Skilled Worker, spouse or partner, Global Talent, Innovator Founder and 10-year long residence.

Read our detailed ILR Requirements Guide for a complete explanation of the eligibility rules for each route.

Continuous Residence and the 180-Day Rule

For many ILR applications, you must meet the continuous residence requirement and generally must not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any relevant 12-month period. Long Residence has separate limits (184 days per absence, 548 days total).

Read the full Continuous Residence & 180-Day Rule Guide →

Knowledge of English for ILR

Almost all ILR applicants (except refugees and those on humanitarian protection) require English at CEFR B1, rising to B2 for most routes from 26 March 2027.

Many people applying for ILR need to prove their English language ability, but you may not necessarily need to take a new English test. The requirement depends on your immigration route, previous qualifications and personal circumstances.

Read our ILR English Language Requirements Guide for detailed information about English tests, accepted qualifications and exemptions.

Life in the UK Test for ILR

Many ILR applicants need to pass the Life in the UK Test before applying for settlement, although exemptions can apply. The test is currently £50, and you need to score at least 75% to pass.

You may be exempt in certain circumstances, including depending on your age or a qualifying medical condition. The exact requirements depend on your settlement route.

Read our ILR Life in the UK Test Guide for the requirements, exemptions, booking process and preparation advice.

Documents You'll Need

To apply for ILR, you'll generally need your passport/BRP or eVisa, proof of continuous UK residence, your Life in the UK test certificate, English evidence at B1, and route-specific documents such as a sponsorship letter, marriage certificate, or protection grant letter.

See our ILR Documents Checklist for a detailed list of documents and evidence you may need.

Costs & Fees

Since 8 April 2026, the standard Home Office fee for an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application is £3,226 per person. Each dependant pays the full fee separately, and fees aren't refunded if refused.

You may also have additional costs, such as £19.20 for biometrics and £50 for the Life in the UK test. The total cost will therefore depend on your circumstances and the services you require.

For a full breakdown of Home Office fees, additional costs and solicitor fees, see our ILR Fees & Costs Guide.

Processing Times

Standard ILR applications are typically decided within 3 to 6 months, with priority (5 working days) and super priority (next working day) services available for an extra fee where eligible.

Read our ILR Processing Time Guide for current standard, priority, and super-priority processing information.

When Can I Apply for ILR?

For many settlement routes, you can apply up to 28 days before completing the required qualifying period, provided you meet the other eligibility requirements. Applying too early can result in refusal.

If you are not yet eligible and your current immigration permission is about to expire, you may need to extend your visa.

How to Apply

To apply for ILR, you must apply online using the correct application form for your visa route, submit supporting documents, and complete biometric enrolment before receiving a decision.

The process usually involves:

1. Identify your settlement route
2. Check your qualifying period
3. Calculate your UK absences
4. Check English language requirements
5. Pass the Life in the UK Test if required
6. Gather your supporting documents
7. Complete the online ILR application
8. Pay the application fee
9. Provide biometric information where required
10. Upload your supporting evidence
11. Attend any required appointment
12. Wait for the Home Office decision

Read the step-by-step ILR Application Guide →

Which ILR Application Form Should I Use?

You should use the online application specifically provided for your settlement route. Older form names such as SET(O) and SET(M) still appear in GOV.UK guidance and publications, but the application process is now online rather than a paper form.

Choosing the correct route is important because the eligibility requirements, supporting documents and questions in the application can differ significantly.

If you are unsure which ILR route or application applies to you, Wembley Solicitors can assess your immigration history and advise you before you submit your application. Call 020 3417 3700.

Can I Travel While My ILR Application Is Pending?

You should check the travel restrictions before leaving the UK while an ILR application is pending, because travelling outside the relevant Common Travel Area can result in an application being treated as withdrawn in certain circumstances.

This can be particularly important if you have urgent travel planned.

If you need to travel after submitting an ILR application, obtain immigration advice before leaving the UK.

What Happens After ILR Is Granted?

Once ILR is granted, you become settled in the UK and normally no longer need temporary immigration permission to live and work here.

You can generally:

• Live in the UK without a time limit
• Work without immigration restrictions attached to a temporary visa
• Study
• Change employment
• Become self-employed
• Potentially access public funds if eligible

Your immigration status may now be recorded digitally through an eVisa.

However, ILR is not the same as British citizenship, and it does not automatically make you a British citizen.

Can ILR Be Lost?

ILR does not normally have an expiry date, but it can be lost or lapse in certain circumstances, including prolonged absence from the UK.

If you plan to live outside the UK for an extended period after obtaining ILR, check the rules before leaving.

Settlement can also be revoked in certain circumstances.

If maintaining your UK settlement status is important to you, seek advice before making long-term plans to live overseas.

Can I Apply for British Citizenship After ILR?

ILR can be an important step towards British citizenship, but ILR and British citizenship are separate statuses with different requirements.

In many cases, a person must have held ILR for at least 12 months before applying for naturalisation.

However, the 12-month requirement can be different for someone who is married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen.

British citizenship applications have their own requirements, including residence, English language, Life in the UK, good character and other nationality requirements.

If your long-term goal is British citizenship, our immigration team can advise you about the next stage after ILR.

ILR Through 10-Year Long Residence

The 10-year long residence route can allow eligible applicants to apply for ILR after 10 years of continuous lawful residence in the UK.

This route can be particularly relevant to people who have lived in the UK under several different immigration categories.

Unlike some 5-year settlement routes, qualifying residence under different immigration categories can potentially be combined.

However, your entire immigration history must be reviewed carefully, including:

• Previous visas
• Periods of lawful residence
• Any gaps in permission
• Absences from the UK
• Time spent under different immigration categories
• The date each period of residence began and ended

Read our 10-Year Long Residence ILR Guide for detailed eligibility requirements.

ILR for Skilled Workers

Skilled Workers may be eligible for ILR after completing the required qualifying period, usually five years, provided they satisfy the settlement requirements for their route.

A Skilled Worker settlement application can involve requirements relating to:

• Qualifying residence
• Continuous residence
• Salary
• Employment
• Sponsor and occupation
• English language
• Life in the UK
• Suitability

The salary and employment rules can depend on the applicant's occupation, circumstances and applicable transitional provisions.

Read our detailed ILR as a Skilled Worker Guide for route-specific requirements.

ILR for Spouse and Partner Visa Holders

A spouse or partner on the 5-year family route may be able to apply for ILR after completing five years on the qualifying route, provided all other requirements are met.

Depending on the circumstances, the application can involve:

• Relationship requirements
• Financial requirements
• English language
• Life in the UK Test
• Continuous residence
• Suitability
• Evidence of the relationship

Family settlement rules can differ depending on when the applicant entered the route and whether they are on the 5-year, 2-year or 10-year route.

Read our ILR as a Spouse Guide for detailed requirements.

ILR as a Refugee

To qualify for ILR as a refugee, you generally need 5 years of continuous residence on refugee or humanitarian protection status, and you must still need protection at the time you apply.

• 5 years' continuous residence, counted from your protection grant date
• Continuing need for protection, with no status revocation
• No more than 180 days abroad in any rolling 12-month period
• Exempt from the English language and Life in the UK test requirements

Refugees granted status from March 2026 onward first receive a 30-month grant, with settlement assessed later under revised rules.

Read our ILR as a Refugee Guide for detailed requirements.

ILR for Global Talent and Innovator Founder Applicants

Some talent and business immigration routes can provide a shorter route to settlement than the standard five-year period.

For example, eligible Global Talent and Innovator Founder applicants may qualify for settlement after three years, subject to meeting the relevant requirements.

These applications can involve specialist criteria relating to:

• Qualifying residence
• Absences
• Earnings or business activity
• Route-specific requirements
• English language
• Life in the UK
• Suitability

If you are applying through one of these routes, the exact settlement requirements should be checked before you apply.

Can an ILR Application Be Refused?

Yes. An ILR application can be refused if you do not meet one or more mandatory settlement requirements or if there are problems with your immigration history, application or supporting evidence.

Common issues can include:

• Insufficient qualifying residence
• Excessive absences
• Applying under the wrong route
• Failure to meet salary or financial requirements
• English language problems
• Failure to pass the Life in the UK Test
• Immigration history issues
• Suitability concerns
• Missing or inconsistent evidence
• Incorrect information on the application form

Because ILR can be the culmination of several years of UK immigration status, it is sensible to identify potential problems before submitting the application.

If you have a complicated immigration history or are concerned about eligibility, call Wembley Solicitors on 020 3417 3700 before applying.

Need Help with Your ILR Application?

Make sure your application is based on the correct settlement route and that you meet the relevant requirements before you apply.

Wembley Solicitors is a specialist immigration law firm in London providing advice and assistance with Indefinite Leave to Remain applications.

We can help you assess your eligibility, review your immigration history and supporting documents, identify potential issues and assist with your ILR application.

To get specialist advice about your Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application, speak to an experienced ILR solicitor on 020 3417 3700 or complete our online enquiry form.

Frequently Asked Questions