Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) in the United Kingdom
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from UK Acts of Parliament, statutory instruments, and official guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also known as settlement, is the UK equivalent of permanent residency. It gives you the right to live and work in the UK without any time restrictions. Most routes to ILR require 5 years of continuous lawful residence on a qualifying visa, though some routes are faster (3 years for Global Talent and Innovator Founder in certain cases). The ILR application fee is £2,885 per person.
To qualify for ILR, you must pass the Life in the UK test (a 24-question multiple-choice test on British history, values, and traditions, costing £50), demonstrate English language ability at CEFR B1, meet the continuous residence requirement (no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period), and have no serious criminal convictions. Once granted, ILR does not expire, but it can be lost if you stay outside the UK for more than 2 continuous years.
When does it apply?
This applies when:
- You have been living in the UK on a qualifying visa for the required period (usually 5 years)
- You hold a Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, or family visa and want to settle permanently
- You are the partner or dependant of someone applying for ILR
Routes and timelines:
- Skilled Worker: ILR after 5 continuous years. Must still be employed by a licensed sponsor at the time of application. Must meet the salary threshold for your occupation.
- Global Talent: ILR after 3 years (if endorsed as an exceptional talent) or 5 years (if endorsed as exceptional promise/potential).
- Innovator Founder: ILR after 3 years if endorsed as meeting specific business achievement criteria.
- Family (Spouse/Partner): ILR after 5 years (2 grants of leave totalling 5 years). 10-year route for those who did not meet standard requirements initially.
- Long Residence: ILR after 10 continuous years of lawful residence in the UK on any visa, even if the visa was not a route that normally leads to settlement.
Requirements:
- Continuous residence: No single absence exceeding 180 days in any 12-month period. Total absences should not exceed 540 days across the 5-year period. Exceptions may apply for serious reasons (e.g., bereavement, illness).
- Life in the UK test: £50 fee. 24 questions in 45 minutes. Must score 75% (18/24). Based on the official handbook "Life in the United Kingdom: A Journey to Citizenship." Must be passed before ILR application.
- English language: CEFR B1 in speaking and listening. Exempt if from a majority English-speaking country, over 65, or have a medical condition preventing testing.
- No serious criminal convictions: Unspent convictions of 12+ months imprisonment result in automatic refusal. Smaller convictions may still affect discretion.
Fees:
- ILR application: £2,885
- Biometrics: included
- Life in the UK test: £50
- Priority service (if available): £500 (5 working days) or £1,000 (next working day)
What to Do If You Are Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK
Step 1: Calculate your continuous residence. Count your days outside the UK in each 12-month period. No single absence can exceed 180 days. Keep detailed travel records with dates, and retain boarding passes and passport stamps.
Step 2: Pass the Life in the UK test before applying. Book the test at lifeintheuktestbooking.co.uk (£50). Study the official handbook. The test has 24 multiple-choice questions, and you need at least 18 correct. You can retake it if you fail (with a 7-day waiting period).
Step 3: Obtain English language evidence at CEFR B1 or above. Take an approved SELT, or use a degree taught in English, or provide proof of nationality from a majority English-speaking country. The same B1 evidence used for visa extensions can be reused for ILR.
Step 4: Apply online at gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain. Pay the £2,885 fee. You will need: your current BRP or visa vignette, valid passport, Life in the UK test pass certificate, English language evidence, evidence of continuous residence (travel history), and evidence of ongoing employment (for Skilled Worker route).
Step 5: Attend a biometrics appointment or use the UKVI ID Check app to submit your biometric information. Standard processing takes 6 months for postal applications or 8 weeks for online applications. Consider priority processing if available.
Step 6: After receiving ILR, apply for a Biometric Residence Permit showing your settled status. Your ILR has no expiry date, but your BRP does, so renew it before it expires. After 12 months with ILR, you become eligible to apply for British citizenship.
What should you NOT do?
Don't let any single absence exceed 180 days. This is the most common reason for ILR refusal. Even a single trip of 181 days can break continuous residence and reset your qualifying period. If you must be away for an extended period, seek legal advice about whether an exception might apply.
Don't let your leave expire before applying for ILR. You must hold valid leave (visa permission) at the time of your ILR application. If your leave expires before you apply, you are an overstayer and will be refused. Apply well before your current visa expires.
Don't leave the UK for more than 2 years after getting ILR. If you are absent from the UK for 2 continuous years or more, your ILR is considered lapsed and you will not be readmitted as a settled person. You would need to apply for a Returning Resident visa, which is discretionary.
Don't ignore changes in your circumstances. If you are on the Skilled Worker route and lose your job before ILR, you have 60 days to find a new sponsor or your leave may be curtailed. Report changes in employment, address, or personal circumstances to UKVI promptly.
Don't underestimate the fees. At £2,885 per person, ILR is expensive. If applying as a family (partner plus children), costs add up quickly. Budget for this well in advance and note that there is no fee waiver for ILR applications.
Common Questions
When does settlement (indefinite leave to remain) apply?
This applies when:You have been living in the UK on a qualifying visa for the required period (usually 5 years)You hold a Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, or family visa and want to settle permanentlyYou are the partner or dependant of someone applying for ILRRoutes and timelines:Skilled Worker: ILR after 5 continuous years. Must still be employed by a licensed sponsor at the time of application. Must meet the salary threshold for your occupation.Global Talent: ILR after 3 years (if endorsed as an exceptional talent) or 5 years (if endorsed as exceptional promise/potential).In...
What should I do if I have completed 5 years on a Skilled Worker visa and want to apply for ILR in the UK?
Step 1: Calculate your continuous residence. Count your days outside the UK in each 12-month period. No single absence can exceed 180 days. Keep detailed travel records with dates, and retain boarding passes and passport stamps.Step 2: Pass the Life in the UK test before applying. Book the test at lifeintheuktestbooking.co.uk (£50). Study the official handbook. The test has 24 multiple-choice questions, and you need at least 18 correct. You can retake it if you fail (with a 7-day waiting period).Step 3: Obtain English language evidence at CEFR B1 or above. Take an approved SELT, or use a degre...
What mistakes should I avoid with settlement (indefinite leave to remain)?
Don't let any single absence exceed 180 days. This is the most common reason for ILR refusal. Even a single trip of 181 days can break continuous residence and reset your qualifying period. If you must be away for an extended period, seek legal advice about whether an exception might apply.Don't let your leave expire before applying for ILR. You must hold valid leave (visa permission) at the time of your ILR application. If your leave expires before you apply, you are an overstayer and will be refused. Apply well before your current visa expires.Don't leave the UK for more than 2 years after g...