A standard Indefinite Leave to Remain application in the UK is usually decided within six months, although the exact timescale depends on the route, the service selected and whether UK Visas and Immigration needs to carry out further checks. If a faster service is available, a priority or super priority decision may be possible, but these services do not guarantee approval.
The point many applicants miss is that the processing clock does not always begin when you start or submit the online form. For many ILR applications, the relevant period is linked to confirming your identity, providing biometrics or completing the document upload stage. That small detail can make the waiting period feel longer than expected, especially if your UKVCAS appointment is not immediate.
Last reviewed: 10 October 2026. UK immigration fees, service availability and Home Office procedures can change, so applicants should always check current guidance before submitting an application.
If you are preparing for settlement and want your documents reviewed before applying, Immigration UK can help you understand the requirements, identify possible issues and prepare a clear application package. Professional support cannot make the Home Office decide faster, but it can reduce avoidable problems that often lead to requests for further information.
Quick Answer: How Long Does an ILR Application Take in the UK?
Most standard ILR applications are decided within six months of the relevant biometric or identity confirmation stage. This is the standard service and is the timescale applicants should usually plan around unless they have successfully selected a faster decision service.
For some settlement routes, a priority service may provide a quicker decision, but the timescale depends on the ILR route and the service offered during the application process. Applicants should rely on the current GOV.UK guidance or the information shown in the application portal before paying for a faster service. Super priority, where available, usually provides a decision by the end of the next working day after weekday identity confirmation, or within two working days if identity is confirmed at a weekend or on a bank holiday.
ILR is settlement, not a normal visa extension. It removes the usual time limit on living in the UK, although it can still be lost in certain circumstances. If you need a broader explanation of settlement applications and how they fit into the immigration system, see Immigration UK's page on settlement applications.
ILR Processing Times at a Glance
The main processing options are best understood separately because they work in different ways. The application fee for ILR is separate from any optional priority or super priority fee, and faster services are not available to every applicant.
- Standard service: usually within six months. Complex cases can take longer if extra checks are needed.
- Priority service: may provide a quicker decision where available, but the target depends on the ILR route and the service offered during the application process. The additional fee in current official faster decision guidance is £500.
- Super priority service: usually by the end of the next working day after weekday identity confirmation, or within two working days after weekend or bank holiday confirmation. The additional fee in current official guidance is £1,000.
A working day means Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays. Working day timescales are not the same as calendar days. Weekends do not count, so it is worth factoring this into your plans.
The official GOV.UK page on faster decisions for visa, settlement and citizenship applications explains the current priority and super priority services, including the additional fees and when the decision period begins.
When Does ILR Processing Time Start?
The start date depends on how your identity is confirmed. This is why two applicants who submit online forms on the same day may not receive decisions at the same time.
If You Attend a UKVCAS Appointment
If you are asked to attend a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services appointment, you will usually provide your fingerprints and photograph there. Your supporting documents may be uploaded before the appointment or scanned at the appointment, depending on the option you choose.
For many standard ILR applications, the six-month service standard is measured from providing biometric information, not necessarily from the date you first completed the online form. If the earliest appointment is several weeks away, that appointment wait forms part of your overall experience, even though it may not form part of the Home Office's published decision target.
If You Use the UK Immigration: ID Check App
Some applicants may be able to confirm identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app. Where this applies, the relevant decision period may begin after identity confirmation and completion of document upload, depending on the service selected.
Do not assume that pressing submit is the final step. An application normally becomes decision ready only once the identity and document steps have been completed correctly.
Why the Application Date Still Matters
Even though processing may be linked to biometrics or identity confirmation, the date you submit the ILR application still matters. You must apply at the correct time under your route. Many applicants can apply up to 28 days before completing the qualifying residence period, but applying too early can lead to refusal.
You should also avoid waiting until your current permission expires if you are already eligible to apply. If you are not yet eligible for ILR, you may need to extend your current visa instead. This is particularly important for applicants on family, work or long residence routes where the qualifying period and evidence rules differ.
Can an ILR Application Take Longer Than Six Months?
Yes. The six-month period is a usual service standard, not an absolute deadline in every case. The Home Office may take longer if the application requires additional checks or if the evidence is unclear.
Common reasons for delay include:
- documents needing verification with employers, banks, sponsors or other bodies;
- missing, inconsistent or unclear supporting evidence;
- a request for further information from the Home Office;
- checks with other government departments;
- an interview being required;
- criminal convictions, immigration breaches or previous refusals needing further assessment;
- complex residence or absence history.
Not every complicated case is delayed, and not every delayed case is complicated. Sometimes delays simply happen because of workload or administrative processing. However, a well-prepared application is still worthwhile because it can reduce the chance of avoidable follow-up questions.
How Priority and Super Priority ILR Decisions Work
Priority service, where available, is designed to shorten the expected decision period. The timescale can vary depending on the ILR route, current service availability and the information shown during the application process, so applicants should check the guidance that applies to their route before paying.
Super priority is the fastest option where offered. A decision is usually made by the end of the next working day after a weekday appointment or identity confirmation. If identity is confirmed at a weekend or on a bank holiday, the usual target is within two working days.
Faster processing does not mean easier approval. The same eligibility rules apply, and UKVI can still take longer if further checks are needed. If family members apply with you and each person uses a faster service, the additional fee generally applies to each applicant separately.
Route-Specific Factors That Can Affect ILR Timing
ILR is not one single route. A Skilled Worker, a spouse visa holder, a long residence applicant and an Ancestry visa holder may all be applying for settlement, but the evidence and eligibility tests are different.
Work route applicants may need employer confirmation, salary evidence, proof of continuing employment and accurate absence records. Family route applicants may need evidence of relationship, cohabitation, accommodation, income, English language ability and the Life in the UK Test. Long residence applicants often need a detailed immigration history covering 10 years of lawful continuous residence.
If you are unsure what ILR actually gives you, or how settlement differs from limited leave, Immigration UK's explanation of Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK is a useful starting point.
Documents That Help Avoid Delays
The Home Office decides ILR applications on the evidence provided, so document quality matters. A missing document does not always mean refusal, but it can trigger a request for more information and add time to the process.
Useful preparation usually includes:
- a valid passport or travel document;
- previous passports where they show travel or immigration history;
- eVisa or immigration status evidence, where relevant;
- accurate travel dates and absence calculations;
- Life in the UK Test evidence, unless exempt;
- English language evidence, unless exempt;
- route-specific documents, such as employer, financial, relationship or accommodation evidence;
- certified translations for documents not in English or Welsh.
Before submitting, check that names, dates and addresses match across your documents. Make sure scans are legible and uploaded in the correct sections. If you would like a broader overview of how ILR works and what settlement means, Immigration UK's guide to Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK may help you organise the main points before applying.
Can You Travel While Waiting for an ILR Decision?
In most in-country ILR applications, you must not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man while the application is pending. Travelling outside that area can lead to the application being treated as withdrawn, and the fee is not normally refunded.
This rule catches people out because ILR decisions can take months under the standard service. If you know you need to travel urgently, get advice before applying or before leaving the Common Travel Area. Do not rely on assumptions, airline booking plans or what happened in a friend's case.
What If Your Visa Expires While ILR Is Pending?
If you submitted a valid, in-time ILR application before your existing permission expired, you may usually continue under the conditions of your previous permission while the application is pending. This is often referred to as section 3C leave, although whether it applies depends on the circumstances.
The key point is to apply before expiry where you are eligible and to avoid travel while waiting. If your situation is close to the deadline, or you are unsure whether you meet the ILR requirements yet, getting advice before submitting can be much safer than trying to fix a problem later.
What Happens After an ILR Decision?
If your ILR is approved, you will normally receive a decision email or letter explaining the outcome and what to do next. UK immigration status is increasingly digital, so you may need to access or update your UKVI account and eVisa details.
ILR allows you to live, work and study in the UK without the usual time limit attached to temporary visas. It may also be an important step towards British citizenship, although citizenship is a separate application with its own rules. Many applicants must hold ILR for a period before applying to naturalise, unless a specific exception applies, such as applying as the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen.
If ILR is refused, read the decision letter carefully. The available remedy depends on the type of decision and the rights stated in the letter. Possible options may include administrative review, appeal or a fresh application, but they are not interchangeable and deadlines can be short.
What to Do If Your ILR Application Is Taking Longer Than Expected
If your application has passed the usual processing period, first check your email inbox, spam folder and any UKVI account messages. Make sure you have not missed a request for information or a deadline. If UKVI has asked for more documents, respond clearly and keep proof of submission.
Avoid making a second application unless you understand the consequences, as this can create confusion and may not help. Also avoid travel outside the permitted area while the application remains pending. If the delay is causing serious practical problems, or if you suspect there is an issue with the evidence, professional advice can help you decide what to do next.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a standard ILR application take?
A standard ILR application is usually decided within six months of the relevant biometric or identity confirmation stage. Complex applications can take longer if further checks or documents are needed.
How long does ILR take with priority service?
Priority service may provide a quicker decision where it is available, but the timescale depends on the ILR route and the service offered during the application process. Always check the current GOV.UK guidance or application portal information before paying.
Does super priority guarantee ILR approval?
No. Super priority only relates to the expected decision speed. You must still meet all eligibility and evidence requirements for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Can I travel while my ILR application is pending?
You should not normally travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man while an in-country ILR application is pending. Doing so can result in the application being withdrawn.
Does the six-month period start when I submit the online form?
Not always. The relevant period often starts after biometrics are provided or identity and document steps are completed, depending on how you apply.
