Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK means applying for settlement, which can allow you to live, work and study in the UK without a time limit. The application is made online, but the most important work happens before you press submit: checking the correct route, calculating residence and absences, passing the required tests, and preparing evidence that matches the Immigration Rules.
ILR is not one single set of requirements for everyone. A Skilled Worker, spouse visa holder, long residence applicant and Global Talent migrant may all be applying for settlement, but they may need to prove different things. Some applicants qualify after five years, some after 10 years, and some routes have their own rules on timing, employment, family life or absences.
If you are close to settlement, it is worth taking time to get the details right. The application fee is significant, and mistakes can delay matters or lead to refusal. Immigration UK can help applicants review eligibility, identify the correct route and prepare supporting documents before submitting an ILR application.
What Indefinite Leave to Remain Means
Indefinite Leave to Remain, often shortened to ILR, is also called settlement. It usually means you can remain in the UK without needing to extend a time-limited visa. It is different from British citizenship, which is a separate legal status requiring a separate application.
ILR can also be different from EU settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, depending on your immigration history. If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, or a family member of one, you may need to check whether the EU Settlement Scheme is the correct route rather than a standard ILR application.
For a detailed explanation of settlement as an immigration status, see Immigration UK's guide to what Indefinite Leave to Remain means in the UK.
Check Which ILR Route Applies to You
The first step is to identify the route you are applying under. This matters because your qualifying period, documents, financial evidence and absence rules may depend on the category of permission you hold now and the permissions you have held previously.
Common settlement routes include Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visas, spouse and partner visas, long residence after 10 years of lawful stay, UK Ancestry, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, Hong Kong BN(O), private life and protection routes. Some applicants can rely on a combination of different visa categories, particularly under long residence, but not every type of stay counts.
The official GOV.UK overview is a useful starting point for checking the main settlement categories and route guidance: GOV.UK guidance on Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Can You Apply for ILR Now?
Before starting the online form, work through the key eligibility questions. It is tempting to think, "I have been here five years, so I must qualify", but ILR is rarely that simple. The date you entered the UK, the date your visa was granted, the type of visa, absences, route-specific rules and current permission can all affect the answer.
- What is your current visa or immigration permission?
- Does that route lead to settlement?
- Have you completed the correct qualifying period?
- Are your absences within the permitted limit for your route?
- Is your current permission still valid?
- Have you passed the Life in the UK Test, if required?
- Can you prove English language ability, unless exempt?
- Do you meet any route-specific salary, sponsorship, relationship or financial requirement?
- Are you applying from inside the UK where the route requires this?
Some routes allow an application shortly before the full qualifying period is complete, often within a 28-day window, but this is not a universal rule. Do not rely on a general rule without checking the specific route. Applying too early is one of the more avoidable and frustrating reasons for refusal.
Continuous Residence and Absences
Most ILR routes require continuous residence. This does not simply mean that you had a visa for the required number of years. It also means your time in the UK must satisfy the relevant absence rules and must usually be lawful throughout the qualifying period.
The current general absence rule for many routes is no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period, but there are exceptions and transitional rules. For long residence, current guidance refers to 10 years of lawful continuous residence and includes specific rules about which categories can and cannot count. Earlier absences, including those beginning before 11 April 2024, may be treated differently under the relevant guidance.
A practical way to prepare is to create a full travel schedule. Use passports, boarding passes, emails, employer records, Home Office records and your own calendar. Small mistakes can matter, especially where travel was frequent. If there is uncertainty, it is better to resolve it before applying rather than hope the caseworker reads it generously.
Life in the UK and English Language Requirements
Most ILR applicants aged 18 or over and under 65 must meet the knowledge of language and life requirement, unless an exemption applies. This usually has two parts: passing the Life in the UK Test and proving English language ability. Passing one does not automatically satisfy the other.
The Life in the UK Test must be booked through the official service and currently costs £50. You should allow time for a retake if needed. It is not the sort of test to book the night before your visa expires, unless you enjoy turning immigration planning into an extreme sport.
For English, acceptable evidence may include an approved test at the required level or a degree taught or researched in English, subject to the detailed rules. Under Appendix KoLL, the English requirement for ILR is usually at least B1, although the required level can depend on the rules in force when you apply and any route-specific provisions. Because immigration rules can change, applicants should check the current rules immediately before applying, especially where previous permission was granted under an earlier English requirement.
Documents Needed for an ILR Application
The exact documents depend on the route, and the online application form will generate a document list for your circumstances. However, most applicants should expect to prepare identity, residence, test and route-specific evidence.
Useful documents may include your current passport, previous passports, biometric residence permit details if applicable, eVisa and UKVI account details, immigration history, travel and absence schedule, Life in the UK Test reference, English language evidence and certified translations for documents not in English or Welsh.
Work route applicants may also need payslips, bank statements, employer letters, evidence of salary and sponsor confirmation that the role continues. Family route applicants may need relationship evidence, cohabitation documents, financial evidence and information about children. Long residence applicants should focus carefully on lawful residence and travel history across the whole 10-year period.
If you are applying under a settlement route and want support with evidence and application preparation, Immigration UK provides dedicated information on settlement applications in the UK.
How to Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain Online
The ILR application is submitted online. You must choose the correct route, complete the form accurately, pay the application fee and provide supporting evidence. You will usually then attend a UKVCAS appointment to provide fingerprints and a photograph, unless the process allows another method of identity verification.
- Confirm the correct settlement route and check that your current visa leads to ILR.
- Calculate the earliest safe application date using the rules for your route.
- Complete the online form with accurate personal, travel and immigration history.
- Pay the ILR application fee and any optional service fee, if available.
- Upload supporting documents or arrange scanning through the application process.
- Attend the biometric appointment and keep confirmation of submission.
- Wait for the decision and avoid travel that could withdraw the application.
You will need to pay the Home Office application fee for your settlement route. Fees can change and some routes may have different fee rules, so always check the current Home Office fee at the point of application. Standard decisions are usually made within six months after biometrics, although complex cases can take longer.
Priority and super priority services may be available for some settlement applications for an additional fee. These services relate to decision times, not the chance of approval.
Important Warning About Travel After Applying
Once you have submitted an ILR application, do not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man while the application is pending unless you have checked the consequences. In many in-country immigration applications, travelling outside this area while the application is pending can withdraw the application, and the fee may not be refunded.
This is one of the most important practical points in the process. If you have urgent travel planned, consider the timing before submitting the application. A withdrawn application can create cost, stress and possible immigration status complications.
What Happens After ILR Is Granted?
If your application is approved, you will receive evidence of your status, normally through an eVisa and UKVI account. ILR generally allows you to live, work and study in the UK without a time limit and may allow access to public funds where eligible.
Many people later apply for British citizenship after obtaining ILR, but citizenship is not automatic. Naturalisation has separate residence, absence, good character and language and life requirements. The timing can also differ depending on whether you are married to, or in a civil partnership with, a British citizen. You can read more about the next stage in Immigration UK's page on British citizenship applications.
ILR can also be lost in some circumstances, including extended absence from the UK. If you plan to live overseas for a long period after settlement, check the returning resident rules before you leave.
If You Are Not Eligible Yet
If you are not ready to apply for ILR, you may need to extend your current visa, wait until the qualifying period is complete, correct an English or Life in the UK issue, or consider whether another settlement route applies. The key is to avoid overstaying and avoid submitting a weak application simply because a deadline is approaching.
Common refusal risks include applying under the wrong route, applying too early, exceeding the relevant absence limit, having gaps in lawful residence, submitting the wrong English evidence, failing to meet a salary or financial requirement, providing inconsistent documents, or not disclosing relevant immigration or criminal history.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does ILR cost?
The Home Office charges an application fee for ILR, and the amount can change. Some routes may also have different fee rules, so check the current fee when you apply.
How long does an ILR application take?
Standard ILR decisions are usually made within six months after biometrics. Priority or super priority services may be available, but they do not guarantee approval.
Can I apply for ILR before my visa expires?
You can generally apply once you meet the requirements for your route and do not usually need to wait until the visa expiry date. The earliest safe date depends on the relevant Immigration Rules.
Do I need the Life in the UK Test for ILR?
Most applicants aged 18 or over and under 65 need to pass the Life in the UK Test unless an exemption applies. This is separate from proving English language ability.
Can my dependants get ILR with me?
Dependants may be able to apply, but each person must meet the requirements that apply to them. They do not automatically receive ILR simply because the main applicant qualifies.
