What Is Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK?
Indefinite leave to remain in the UK, usually called ILR, is immigration permission that lets you live, work and study without a time limit. Also known as settlement, it removes the need for regular visa extensions and can provide a route to British citizenship.
However, ILR is not citizenship. Eligibility depends on your immigration route, and long periods abroad can put your status at risk.
Information checked: 6 October 2026. This guide provides general information, not advice on an individual application.
What does indefinite leave to remain in the UK allow you to do?
With ILR, you can generally:
- Live in the UK without extending your immigration permission.
- Work without employer sponsorship.
- Study in the UK.
- Apply for benefits if you meet the relevant eligibility conditions.
- Apply for British citizenship once you satisfy its separate requirements.
Benefits, student finance and other entitlements still have their own rules. Settlement does not automatically qualify you for every form of support.
Who can apply for ILR?
There is no single qualifying period for everyone. Your visa category and immigration history determine which settlement route you can use.
| Immigration route | Typical qualifying period |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker, including Health and Care Worker | 5 years on qualifying routes |
| Partner or spouse family route | Usually 5 years, although other routes apply |
| Global Talent | 3 or 5 years, depending on the category |
| Innovator Founder | 3 years, subject to route requirements |
| Long residence | 10 years of qualifying lawful residence |
Completing the required time does not guarantee approval. You must meet the remaining conditions for your route.
Practical example: Two years on a Student visa followed by three years as a Skilled Worker would not normally complete the five-year Skilled Worker settlement period. Student permission is not among the categories that can be combined for that route. It may count towards long residence instead.
What are the main ILR requirements?
Depending on your route, you may need to show:
- The required period of qualifying residence.
- Compliance with the relevant absence limits.
- A pass in the Life in the UK Test.
- Evidence that you meet the English language requirement.
- The required salary, finances or relationship evidence.
- Compliance with immigration and suitability requirements.
Exemptions can apply, including to language and testing requirements. Always use the checklist for your particular route.
Check absences against your route
For Skilled Worker settlement, the usual limit is 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period, subject to the relevant rules and exceptions.
Do not assume this is a universal rule for every family or settlement application. Long-residence calculations also depend on when absences occurred.
Check the English requirement for your application date
Many settlement routes currently require B1 English. Published changes raise the requirement to B2 for most affected routes for applications made from 26 March 2027.
This includes settlement based on family life. Check the rules before booking a test, particularly if you plan to apply in 2027.
How much does ILR cost, and how long does it take?
The current application fee shown on GOV.UK for family and long-residence settlement is £3,226 per person. Different arrangements or exemptions can apply to other categories.
Standard decisions usually take up to six months after biometrics. Faster services may be available for an additional fee. Allow separately for any required tests, translations or professional advice.
How do you apply for ILR?
Start with the GOV.UK application page for your immigration route.
- Confirm eligibility: Check qualifying residence, absences and route conditions.
- Prepare evidence: Gather identity documents, immigration history and any required employment, financial or family records.
- Complete required tests: Check whether you need them or qualify for an exemption.
- Submit the correct application: Pay the applicable fee and follow the identity-check instructions.
- Check your digital status after approval: Follow your decision notice to access your eVisa.
For some routes, including eligible partner applications, you can apply up to 28 days before completing the qualifying period. Applying earlier can lead to refusal.
Avoid overseas travel while your application is pending. Leaving the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man before a decision can cause your application to be withdrawn.
Can you lose indefinite leave to remain?
Yes. Ordinary ILR can normally lapse after an absence of around two consecutive years outside the Immigration UK and the relevant Common Travel Area territories. Check the precise rule before planning a lengthy move abroad.
EU Settlement Scheme settled status has different absence provisions, generally five years, or four years for Swiss citizens and their qualifying family members.
ILR can also be revoked in certain circumstances, including deception. An expired residence card, however, does not itself mean your settlement status has ended. Make sure you can access the appropriate digital evidence of your status.
Have the ILR rules changed to ten years?
Do not assume that everyone now needs ten years.
The GOV.UK Skilled Worker guidance checked for this article still states a five-year qualifying period. Separately, the government’s earned-settlement consultation proposes a ten-year baseline with adjustments.
A proposal is different from an operative rule. Check your route’s current requirements and any commencement or transitional provisions before applying.
Before you apply
Indefinite leave to remain in the UK offers greater security, but the right application depends on your route, dates and evidence. Check these together before paying the fee, particularly if you have changed visas or spent substantial time abroad.
Frequently asked questions
1. Is indefinite leave to remain in the UK the same as citizenship?
No. ILR gives you settlement permission but does not make you British or entitle you to a British passport. Citizenship requires a separate application and eligibility assessment.
2. When can I apply for British citizenship after ILR?
You usually need to hold ILR for 12 months. If you are married to, or the civil partner of, a British citizen, that waiting period does not normally apply. Other citizenship requirements still apply.
3. Is settled status the same as ILR?
Settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme is a form of indefinite leave. However, its eligibility and absence rules differ from settlement granted through other immigration routes.
4. Does ILR expire when my passport expires?
No. Your immigration status and your passport’s validity are separate. If your evidence of ILR is in an expired passport, check how to obtain or access digital confirmation of your status.
5. Does my partner automatically receive ILR when I do?
No. Your partner must qualify under the relevant rules and make an application where required. Your approval does not automatically settle every family member.
