When should I start preparing my ILR application as a refugee?

Start preparing at least 6 months before your 5-year anniversary. This gives you time to book and pass the Life in the UK test, take an English language test if needed, gather your documents, and save for the application fee. You can submit your application up to 28 days before your qualifying date.

What is the active review for refugee ILR?

The active review is a check by the Home Office on whether conditions in your home country have changed significantly since you were granted refugee status. If conditions have improved enough that you no longer need protection, your refugee status could be revoked instead of ILR being granted. In practice, most refugees pass the active review, but it can cause anxiety and delays.

Can I get a fee waiver for refugee ILR?

Fee waivers may be available if you are destitute or if paying the fee would leave you destitute. You need to provide evidence of your financial situation. The fee waiver application is separate from the ILR application and should be submitted at the same time. Check GOV.UK for the latest guidance on fee waivers.

What happens if my ILR application is refused?

If your ILR application is refused, you may be able to request an administrative review. If your refugee status itself is revoked as part of the active review, you may have the right to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal. Get legal advice immediately if your application is refused, as there are strict time limits for appeals.

Do my family members need to apply for ILR separately?

Yes. Each family member must submit their own ILR application and pay their own fee. If your family joined you through refugee family reunion, they should have leave that expires at the same time as yours, and they can apply for ILR at the same time. Each application is assessed individually.

Refugee to ILR: How to Get Settlement After Asylum

Refugees can apply for ILR after 5 years of continuous residence with refugee status. The application requires passing the Life in the UK test, meeting the English language requirement at B1, and passing the Home Office active review of your refugee status. This guide covers the full process, including what documents to prepare, how to handle the active review, and what to do if there are problems.

The 5-Year Qualifying Period

Your 5-year qualifying period starts from the date your refugee status was granted, not the date you arrived in the UK or the date you claimed asylum. This date is shown on your Biometric Residence Permit or grant letter.

During the 5-year period, you must maintain continuous residence in the UK. This means not spending more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period. If you have exceeded this limit, your ILR application may be refused.

You can submit your ILR application up to 28 days before your 5-year anniversary. This is called the 28-day early application window.

Requirements for Refugee ILR

Life in the UK Test

You must pass the Life in the UK test before you apply. The test costs 50 GBP and covers British history, traditions, and institutions. Book it well in advance, as popular centres fill up quickly. If you fail, you can retake it after 7 days. Use our study guide to prepare.

English Language

You need to prove your English is at B1 level or above. You can do this by passing an approved SELT test, or by showing you have a degree taught in English. Some exemptions apply for people over 65 or those with certain medical conditions. See our guide to English exemptions for ILR.

Good Character

The good character requirement means you must not have significant criminal convictions, tax debts, or immigration breaches. Minor traffic offences and cautions are usually not a problem, but serious offences can result in refusal.

No Outstanding Debt to the NHS

If you have any unpaid NHS charges of 500 GBP or more, your application will be refused. Check whether you owe anything before applying.

The Active Review

The active review is unique to the refugee route. Before granting ILR, the Home Office checks whether conditions in your home country have changed since you were granted refugee status. This review considers:

Country of origin information reports
Changes in government or conflict situations
Whether the specific persecution you faced still exists

In most cases, the active review is a formality and ILR is granted. However, if the Home Office determines that conditions have improved significantly, it may consider revoking your refugee status. If this happens, you should seek legal advice immediately. You have the right to make representations and, if status is revoked, to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal.

The active review process is described in more detail in our ILR for refugees guide.

Documents to Prepare

Gather these documents well before you apply:

Current BRP or eVisa confirmation showing refugee status
Valid passport or Convention Travel Document (if you have one)
Life in the UK test pass certificate
English language test certificate (or evidence of exemption)
Evidence of continuous residence: Utility bills, bank statements, payslips, letters from employers, council tax bills covering the 5-year period
Travel history: A record of all trips outside the UK with dates
Police clearance: Any police certificates or criminal record disclosures if applicable

See our ILR documents checklist for the complete list.

Costs

The ILR application fee in 2026 is 2,885 GBP per person. This is a significant sum, and many refugees find it difficult to afford. Options include:

Fee waiver: If you are destitute or would become destitute by paying the fee, you can apply for a fee waiver.
Saving in advance: If you have been working, set aside money each month from when you receive refugee status.
Charitable support: Some refugee charities may be able to help with costs.

For a full breakdown, see our ILR cost guide.

After ILR

Once you have ILR, you have the right to live and work in the UK permanently without immigration conditions. You can access all public services and benefits. After 12 months with ILR, you can apply for British citizenship.

Be aware that ILR can be lost if you spend more than 2 years outside the UK continuously. See our guide to losing ILR for details.

For official guidance on refugee settlement, see the GOV.UK indefinite leave to remain page and the GOV.UK asylum page.