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Make the UK your permanent home with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also known as settlement, is the immigration status that grants you the right to live and work in the United Kingdom permanently without any time restrictions. Once granted, ILR gives you the freedom to:
ILR does not expire, but it can be lost if you stay outside the UK for more than 2 continuous years. It represents a significant milestone in your immigration journey and is often the final step before British citizenship.
Our expert team can guide you through every step of the process.
You can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain if you have been living in the UK legally for a qualifying period, typically 5 or 10 years, depending on your visa category. The main routes to ILR are:
Most applicants qualify for ILR after 5 years of continuous residence in the UK on qualifying visas.
Available if you have lived legally in the UK for 10 continuous years on any combination of valid visas.
Some categories have shorter qualifying periods, such as Domestic Worker victims of slavery or certain business routes.
The 5-year route is the most common pathway to ILR. You must have spent 5 continuous years in the UK on qualifying visas, meeting all requirements including absence limits, Life in the UK test, and English language requirements.
The 10-year long residence route to ILR is available if you have lived legally in the UK for 10 continuous years on any combination of valid visas. This route is particularly useful if you have switched between different visa categories over the years.
To be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain, you must meet several key requirements regardless of which route you are applying under.
One of the most critical requirements for ILR is meeting the absence limits. Breaking these rules can reset your qualifying period and delay your application.
You must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month periodduring your 5-year qualifying period. This is calculated on a rolling basis, meaning every 12-month window must comply with this limit.
For the 10-year route, you must not have spent more than 540 days outside the UK in total over the 10-year period, and no single absence should exceed 180 days.
Important: It's crucial to keep detailed records of all your absences from the UK, including dates of departure and return. The Home Office will check your travel history, and any discrepancies or excessive absences can lead to refusal.
You must provide comprehensive documentation to support your ILR application. The following documents are typically required by UKVI:
Note: Additional documents may be required depending on your specific route to ILR. For example, those applying through the spouse route will need relationship evidence, while work visa holders may need employer letters. Our team can advise you on the exact documents needed for your situation.
Timing your ILR application correctly is crucial. You can apply up to 28 days before completing your qualifying period, but not before.
You can apply for ILR up to 28 days before you complete your qualifying period (5 or 10 years). This early application window allows you to submit your application before your current visa expires.
You should apply before your current visa expires. If your visa expires while your ILR application is being processed, you can remain in the UK under Section 3C leave until a decision is made.
Start preparing your application well in advance. Ensure you have passed the Life in the UK test, have your English language qualification ready, and have gathered all required documents before applying.
If you need a faster decision on your ILR application, the Home Office offers priority processing services for an additional fee.
The Super Priority Service provides a decision on your ILR application by the end of the next working day after your biometric appointment. This service is subject to availability and costs an additional fee on top of the standard application fee.
The Priority Service provides a decision within 5 working days after your biometric appointment. This is a more affordable option than Super Priority but still faster than the standard 6-month processing time.
Dependents (spouse, partner, and children) can apply for ILR at the same time as the main applicant, provided they meet the requirements.
Once you have been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain, you can apply for British citizenship after 12 months, provided you meet all the requirements.
You can apply for British citizenship 12 months after being granted ILR. This means you must have held ILR for at least one year before submitting your citizenship application.
You must not have spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the 12 months before applying, and no more than 450 days in total over the 5 years before applying.
Find answers to frequently asked questions about Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also known as settlement, gives you the right to live and work in the UK permanently without any immigration restrictions. You can stay in the UK as long as you like, work in any job, access public funds, and apply for British citizenship after 12 months. ILR does not expire, but you can lose it if you stay outside the UK for more than 2 years.
The qualifying period depends on your visa category. Most routes require 5 years of continuous residence, including Skilled Worker, Spouse, and most work visas. The 10-year long residence route is available if you've lived legally in the UK for 10 continuous years on any combination of visas. Some routes, like Domestic Worker victims of slavery, have shorter qualifying periods.
The Life in the UK test is a computer-based test covering British traditions, customs, history, and values. You must pass this test to apply for ILR (unless exempt). The test has 24 questions, and you need to answer at least 18 correctly (75%) to pass. You can book the test online, and it costs £50. Study materials are available from official sources.
For most ILR applications, you need to demonstrate English language ability at CEFR Level B1 (intermediate) in speaking and listening. You can prove this through an approved English language test (like IELTS Life Skills), a degree taught in English, or being a national of a majority English-speaking country. Some applicants are exempt due to age or medical conditions.
For the 5-year route, you must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period during your qualifying period. For the 10-year route, you must not have spent more than 540 days outside the UK in total, and no more than 180 days in any single absence. Exceeding these limits can break your continuous residence and affect your eligibility.
Yes, dependents can apply for ILR at the same time as the main applicant, provided they meet the requirements. Each dependent must have been in the UK for the required qualifying period, meet the absence requirements, and pass the Life in the UK test and English language requirement (if applicable). Each person must submit their own application and pay the application fee.
You can apply for British citizenship 12 months after being granted ILR, provided you meet all other requirements including the residence requirement, good character requirement, and have not spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the 12 months before applying, or 450 days in total over the 5 years before applying.
Yes, you can lose ILR if you stay outside the UK for more than 2 continuous years. If you need to be abroad for extended periods, you should apply for a Returning Resident visa before leaving or consider applying for British citizenship, which cannot be lost through absence. ILR can also be revoked in cases of fraud or serious criminal activity.
Book a free consultation with our expert team today. We'll assess your eligibility and guide you through the ILR application process.