UK Indefinite Leave to Remain: Eligibility and How to Apply (Updated November 15, 2026)

Verified and updated: November 15, 2026, at 01:16 UTC. UK indefinite leave to remain (ILR), also called settlement, lets a person live, work and study in the UK without a time limit. The route to qualify depends on the person’s immigration status: many work and family routes require five years, while long residence generally requires 10 years of lawful continuous residence. Some routes have different qualifying periods and conditions, so there is no single checklist that applies to everyone.

As of this check, GOV.UK continues to describe multiple route-specific pathways. Applicants should identify the route matching their current permission and check its current requirements before applying. Applying before eligible or using the wrong route can lead to refusal and loss of the application fee.

Destaques

• ILR is settlement status, but the qualifying residence period varies by immigration route.
• Long residence generally requires 10 years of lawful continuous residence; many work and family routes use five years.
• English language and the Life in the UK Test apply to many applicants, subject to age and exemption rules.
• Apply online using the form for the specific route and follow its instructions for documents and biometrics.

What is indefinite leave to remain?

ILR removes the time limit on a person’s permission to stay in the UK. It generally permits the holder to work and study without immigration restrictions and may allow access to public funds when otherwise eligible. ILR can also be a step toward British citizenship, but citizenship has separate residence and other requirements. ILR is not the same as settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme; eligible EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and family members may need to use that scheme instead.

Who is eligible for UK ILR?

Start by identifying the visa or permission you hold and the settlement route associated with it. GOV.UK lists routes for workers, family members, long residence, UK Ancestry, British National (Overseas) visa holders, refugees and people with other forms of protection or permission. The eligible period, permitted absences, financial conditions and evidence differ between routes.

How long must you live in the UK?

Many Skilled Worker and family routes require five years, but the qualifying time is not universal. Some Global Talent and Innovator Founder applicants may qualify after three years if they meet the specific route criteria; certain historic categories have other periods. Under the long-residence route, the general requirement is 10 years of lawful continuous residence. Time spent in the UK on some categories may count, but the detailed rules determine which periods qualify.

Absences matter. For long residence, GOV.UK sets limits and explains how absences are assessed, including separate rules for periods abroad that began before April 11, 2024. Work and family routes also have their own absence rules. Check the route’s residence guidance and calculate travel dates against the applicable rules rather than assuming every day in the UK counts.

Do you need an English test and the Life in the UK Test?

Many applicants aged 18 to 65 must demonstrate English language ability and pass the Life in the UK Test. Exemptions or alternative evidence may apply based on age, disability or nationality, and each route explains its rules. Confirm whether a previous approved test or qualification remains acceptable for your application.

Are salary, sponsorship or family requirements relevant?

They can be. A Skilled Worker applicant may need an eligible sponsor to confirm the job and pay conditions required by that route. Family applicants must meet the criteria for their particular relationship and permission. Long-residence applicants follow a different eligibility framework. Do not assume that meeting the residence period alone guarantees ILR.

How do you apply for ILR?

1. Choose the correct route. Use the official eligibility pages and the application link for your visa category. Check whether another route, such as the EU Settlement Scheme, applies instead.
2. Check timing and conditions. Confirm the earliest application date, residence period, absences, current permission, tests and any route-specific financial or sponsor requirements. Some routes allow applications shortly before the qualifying date; the permitted window is route-specific.
3. Gather evidence. Follow the current document checklist. Depending on the route, evidence may include identity documents, residence and travel records, employer or sponsor information, family documents, English language evidence and a Life in the UK Test result.
4. Complete the online application and pay the listed fee. Fees can change, so check the live GOV.UK application page before submitting. Answer consistently and provide the requested documents in the specified format.
5. Complete identity checks. The application will tell you whether to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app or attend a UKVCAS appointment for fingerprints and a photograph, and how to submit supporting documents.

Do not travel outside the Common Travel Area while an application is pending if the route’s instructions say travel will withdraw it. The long-residence application guidance specifically warns that travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man before a decision withdraws the application and does not result in a fee refund. Check the rules for your own route before making travel plans.

How long does an ILR decision take?

Processing time depends on the route and service available. GOV.UK says long-residence applicants usually receive a decision within six months after providing fingerprints and a photograph; optional faster services may be available on some routes and have separate conditions and charges. Complex applications can take longer. Use the application guidance for your route to check the current estimate and any available priority service.

What should applicants check before submitting?

The key practical step is to match every requirement to the exact route and the rules in force on the application date. Official pages are updated, and summaries of a different visa category may not apply to your case. The sources checked for this explainer are the UK government’s ILR route overview, long-residence eligibility guidance, and long-residence application guidance. This is general information, not a decision on an individual case.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for ILR before my current visa expires?

Often, yes, if you already meet the requirements and apply under the correct route. The earliest permitted date varies; submitting too early can lead to refusal.

Does ILR let me apply for British citizenship?

ILR can make someone eligible to apply, but citizenship has separate residence, timing and other requirements. Check the naturalisation rules before applying.

Can I leave the UK while my ILR application is pending?

Travel can withdraw an application under some route rules. Check the official guidance for your route before leaving the Common Travel Area.