Settlement (indefinite leave to remain)

What Is Indefinite Leave to Remain?

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is the UK government's term for permanent residency. When you have ILR, you can live in the UK for as long as you want, work in any job, study at any institution, and access public services including the NHS without paying the Immigration Health Surcharge.

ILR is also called "settlement" or "settled status." It is different from EU Settled Status (which is a separate scheme for EU nationals), though the rights are broadly similar.

Many people see ILR as the final destination, but for most it is a stepping stone to British citizenship. While ILR gives you almost all the same rights as a citizen, there are important differences. ILR can be lost if you leave the UK for more than 2 years. British citizenship cannot be lost this way.

Understanding the full requirements early in your UK journey helps you plan your timeline and avoid costly mistakes.

Routes to ILR in 2026

There are several routes to ILR. The one you use depends on the visa you currently hold.

The 5-Year Route

Most work and family visas lead to ILR after 5 years of continuous residence. This includes the Spouse Visa, Skilled Worker Visa, Innovator Founder Visa (3 years), and several other routes. You must have been on a qualifying visa for the full 5-year period and meet all requirements at the time of application.

Read our ILR after 5 years guide for a detailed breakdown of which visas qualify and what "continuous residence" means in practice.

The 10-Year Long Residence Route

If you have lived in the UK lawfully for 10 continuous years on any combination of visas, you may qualify for ILR through the 10-year long residence route. This route is available even if your individual visas would not normally lead to ILR.

The 10-year route has strict requirements around continuous residence. You must not have been absent from the UK for more than 18 months total in the 10-year period, and no single absence should exceed 6 months. There are also proposed changes to this route that you should be aware of in 2026.

Other Routes

• Bereaved partner: If your British or settled partner has died, you may be eligible for immediate ILR
• Domestic violence: If your relationship has broken down due to domestic abuse, you may be able to apply for ILR early
• Retired persons of independent means: A limited route for those who held this visa before it was closed

Eligibility Requirements

Regardless of which route you use, you must meet certain standard requirements. Here are the main ones, with links to detailed guides.

Continuous Residence

You must demonstrate continuous residence in the UK. For the 5-year route, this means you have not been absent for more than 180 days in any single 12-month period. The rules on travel and absences are strict, and breaking them can reset your qualifying period.

English Language

You must prove your English at CEFR B1 level (intermediate). This is higher than the A1 or A2 level required for some initial visa applications. You can prove this through:

• A SELT test from an approved provider (Trinity College London or IELTS for UKVI)
• A degree taught or researched in English (verified through ECCTIS/UK ENIC)
• Being a national of a majority English-speaking country

From 26 March 2027 the settlement standard rises from B1 to CEFR B2 (upper intermediate) on the Skilled Worker, Scale-up, Global Talent and Long Residence routes. This was set out in the statement of changes to the Immigration Rules published on 5 March 2026, so it is a dated change rather than a proposal.

Life in the UK Test

You must pass the Life in the UK test before you apply. There is no expiry on a pass, so if you passed it years ago, it still counts. Book your test early as popular centres fill up.

No Criminal Convictions or Immigration Breaches

The Home Office checks your character and immigration history. Unspent criminal convictions, immigration offences, or deception can lead to refusal. Declare everything honestly on your application.

Costs and Fees

ILR is one of the most expensive immigration applications. Here is the cost breakdown for 2026. See our ILR cost breakdown guide for more detail.

• ILR application fee: £3,226 per person. No fee at all after refugee status or humanitarian protection
• Life in the UK test: £50 per attempt
• English language test (if needed): £150–£200
• Priority processing (optional): £500, for a decision usually within 5 working days
• Super priority processing (optional): £1,000, for a decision by the next working day

The total cost per person is approximately £3,226–£4,476 depending on which services you use. If you are applying as a family, each person pays their own fee. There is no Immigration Health Surcharge on an ILR application, because settlement gives you NHS access without it.

Documents You Need

The documents required vary by route, but all ILR applications share common requirements. For a complete printable list, see our ILR documents checklist.

Standard Documents (All Routes)

• Current passport and any previous passports covering the qualifying period
• Your online immigration status (eVisa) in your UKVI account. Biometric residence permits stopped being issued at the end of 2024
• Life in the UK test pass certificate
• English language test certificate or proof of exemption

Route-Specific Documents

Spouse/Partner Route: Marriage certificate, evidence your relationship is continuing, proof you are still living together, financial evidence showing you meet the minimum income requirement.

Skilled Worker Route: Certificate of Sponsorship reference number, evidence of ongoing employment, proof your salary meets the required threshold.

10-Year Long Residence: Evidence of continuous lawful residence for the full 10-year period. This means every visa grant, every entry stamp, and evidence of your presence in the UK throughout.

How to Apply

The ILR application process is completed online through the GOV.UK website.

1. Check the published requirements. They cover continuous residence, the Life in the UK test, and English language.
2. Complete the online form. Go to GOV.UK and select the correct application for your route. The form asks about your personal details, immigration history, employment, and travel.
3. Pay the fee. Pay the £3,226 application fee online. Add priority or super priority processing if you want a faster decision.
4. Upload documents. Scan and upload all supporting documents through the online system.
5. Attend a biometric appointment. Book an appointment at a UKVCAS service point to provide your fingerprints and photograph.
6. Wait for a decision. Standard processing time is approximately 6 months. Priority is around 5 working days. Super priority is next working day.

After You Get ILR

Congratulations! Once you have ILR, your life in the UK changes in several important ways.

• No visa renewals. You never need to extend your visa again. Your status is permanent (as long as you do not leave the UK for more than 2 years).
• Full NHS access. You no longer need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.
• No work restrictions. You can work in any job, including roles that were previously restricted.
• Access to public funds. You may now be eligible for benefits and public services that were previously unavailable to you.

Path to Citizenship

After holding ILR for at least 12 months, you can apply for British citizenship. Many people begin preparing for citizenship right away. The requirements include additional residence checks and a non-refundable application fee, so plan carefully.

Protecting Your ILR

ILR can be lost if you spend more than 2 continuous years outside the UK. If you plan to travel extensively, consider applying for citizenship first, as citizenship cannot be lost through absence. Read our ILR travel and absence rules guide to understand the limits.

Questions and answers