How to Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK

Last updated on June 1st, 2026 at 11:19 am

One of the most important steps in an immigrant’s immigration process in the UK is to obtain ILR. It gives you the right to live, work and study in the country without any immigration barriers – the closest to full citizenship without a British passport. This is the UK permanent residency guide that’ll help you cover all the bases.

ILR Eligibility Rules

To be eligible for an ILR application, you need to verify that you have the basic requirements:

• Continuous Residence: It must be met by most Skilled Worker visa and family visa applicants, and takes 5 years to complete. Requirements for obtaining ILR include that you must be resident in the UK for 10 years via the Long Residence Route.
• Conditions for absence: There should not have been more than six months’ absence from the country per year out of the last eighteen years.
• English language proficiency requirement: Proficiency in English at the B1 CEFR level and higher can be demonstrated using a Secure English Language Test (SELT).
• Life in the UK test: You must undertake the Life in the UK test, which is an important part of a UK settlement visa to measure your knowledge about the British way of life.
• Good Character: No record of criminal activity or convictions which include any unspent conviction and offenses in the UK immigration laws.

Steps to Apply for ILR in the UK: Step-by-step Guide

Step 1: Determine Your Route

Visit the official website of the Visas and Immigration page on GOV.UK website for visa route requirements.

Step 2 – Create Your ILR Documents Checklist

Put together the following before sending in:

• Valid Passport and any previous travel documents.
• Evidence of continuous UK residence – payslips/bank statements/tenancy agreements
• To receive a notice of life in the UK test results. To be notified of the life in the UK test results.
• English language test certificate.
• BRP (Biometric Residence Permit)
• Evidence of employment or sponsor letter (where applicable)

Step 3 – Online Application & Payment of ILR Application Fee

Fill in the settlement application form on GOV.UK. The fee to apply for an ILR is £2,885 per person (this amount may change – please check before applying on GOV.UK). Priority service is available (for a fee) if you want to know the decision more quickly.

Step 4 – Make Your Biometrics Appointment

Book an appointment to provide your fingerprints and photo at a United Kingdom Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre.

ILR Processing Time

The normal time for processing the ILR is around 6 months. The priority service usually gives a result within 5 working days, and the super-priority service promises a result on the next working day. When planning a trip or job changes, always include processing times.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Knowing what to look out for can help you to avoid an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) refusal:

• Making an application prior to the exact date of qualification
• Counting days away or missing days of travel.
• NHS debts of £500 or more that haven’t been paid.
• Not achieving low-income thresholds for some visa pathways
• Incomplete documentation

Final Tips

It’s important to complete the process of applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain carefully. Review absence record, check that your Life in the UK test certificate is valid (has no expiry date) and ensure all financial and employment paperwork is tidied. It is highly recommended to consult a registered immigration adviser before applying if your situation is complex, for example, a gap in residence or a criminal matter.

The settlement visa process in the UK is not a complex one, and with proper preparation, you can easily be on the right track and secure the Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, which will make it your permanent home in the UK.

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