Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): Complete 2026 Guide to UK Settlement

Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) is permanent permission to live, work and study in the UK without time limits. As of October 2026, most people qualify after 5 years on a work or partner route (3 years for Global Talent and Innovator Founder), with no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months, a pass in the Life in the UK test and B1 English. The fee is £3,226 per person.

Key points

• The 5-year route still applies. The proposed 10-year “earned settlement” model is not law yet (consultation page).
• Fee: £3,226 per applicant; priority +£500, super priority +£1,000 (fees table).
• Absences: no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period on most routes (Appendix Continuous Residence).
• English for settlement rises from B1 to B2 for applications made from 26 March 2027.
• Apply up to 28 days before you reach your qualifying period.

ILR qualifying periods by route

Route	Qualifying period (current rules)	Notes
Skilled Worker (and Tier 2)	5 years	Must meet the salary requirement at ILR; sponsor confirms job continues
Health and Care Worker	5 years	Part of the Skilled Worker route
Scale-up	5 years	Earnings conditions apply
Global Talent	3 or 5 years	Depends on field and endorsement
Innovator Founder	3 years	Endorsing body must confirm business progress
Partner (5-year route)	5 years	Time as a fiancé does not count
UK Ancestry	5 years
BN(O)	5 years
Long residence	10 years	Any combination of lawful permission
Partner/private life (10-year route)	10 years	Where earlier grants relied on exceptions

Source: GOV.UK ILR overview and route pages. Time on the Graduate visa, Student visa or as a visitor does not count towards the 5-year work routes, but lawful time on these visas can count towards the 10-year long residence route.

Core requirements

1. Continuous residence and absences

For most work and family settlement routes, you must not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period during your qualifying period (Appendix Continuous Residence, CR 3.1). The rule looks at any 12-month window, not just calendar or visa years. Some absences do not count, such as those caused by natural disaster, military conflict or pandemic, and compelling compassionate circumstances.

The long residence route has different limits. For details and worked examples, see ILR absence rules: the 180-day limit explained.

2. Life in the UK test

Applicants aged 18 to 64 must pass the Life in the UK test. It costs £50 and must be booked in advance. A pass does not expire, and the same pass can later be used for citizenship.

3. English language

Currently you need English at B1 or above, unless you are exempt (for example aged 65 or over, or with a long-term condition). Skilled Worker applicants do not usually need to prove English again at ILR because they did so when applying for the visa (GOV.UK).

This is changing. Statement of Changes HC 1691 raises the requirement to B2 (speaking and listening) for settlement applications made on or after 26 March 2027, across routes including Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Scale-up, Innovator Founder, UK Ancestry, long residence, private life and family settlement (HC 1691 explanatory memorandum, paras 5.60–5.62). It applies to people already on a route. For Skilled Worker and Scale-up, the higher level applies at settlement even though B1 may have been enough for your visa. Our post on the ILR English requirement rising to B2 explains who is affected.

4. Route-specific requirements

• Skilled Worker: you must meet the salary requirement for ILR, and your sponsor must confirm that it still needs you and will pay you at least that salary.
• Partner: you must still meet the relationship, financial and accommodation requirements. See the spouse visa guide.
• Innovator Founder and Global Talent: check endorsement and business or field criteria on the relevant GOV.UK page.

5. Suitability

Your application can be refused for criminal convictions, immigration breaches, unpaid NHS debts of £500 or more, or deception. If you have any history of this kind, take advice before applying.

ILR fees and costs (as of October 2026)

Item	Cost
ILR application, per person (main applicant and each dependant)	£3,226
Priority service (decision within 5 working days)	+£500
Super priority service	+£1,000
Life in the UK test	£50
Biometric enrolment	No fee

A family of four (two adults, two children) would pay £12,904 in Home Office fees alone, before priority services and test fees. The ILR fee rose from £3,029 on 8 April 2026. Fees normally change each April, so check the official fees table before you pay.

There is no Immigration Health Surcharge on ILR applications.

When to apply

According to GOV.UK, you can apply up to 28 days before you reach your qualifying period. If you apply earlier than that, your application can be refused and the fee is not refunded.

Do not wait until your current visa expires. If your visa will run out before you qualify, extend it first.

How to apply: step by step

1. Calculate your qualifying date. Count from the date you were granted permission on the route (or entered the UK with it).
2. Check your absences. List every trip abroad and check no 12-month window exceeds 180 days.
3. Pass the Life in the UK test if you are 18 to 64.
4. Check your English evidence. Note whether you will apply before or after 26 March 2027.
5. Get route-specific documents. For Skilled Workers, ask your sponsor for the confirmation letter.
6. Apply online using the correct form for your route (for most work routes this is form SET(O); for partners, SET(M)).
7. Prove your identity at a UKVCAS appointment or via the app if eligible.
8. Wait for a decision. GOV.UK says you will usually get a Skilled Worker ILR decision within 6 months of giving your fingerprints and photo. Do not leave the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision, or your application will be withdrawn.

Documents checklist

• Current passport and any previous passports covering the qualifying period
• Your UKVI account details (eVisa) and past grants of permission
• Life in the UK test pass reference
• English language evidence (if required)
• Sponsor confirmation letter (Skilled Worker)
• Payslips, P60s or other proof of salary where required
• Travel history (absences)
• Relationship and financial evidence (partner route)
• Evidence for dependants: marriage and birth certificates

Including your family

Your partner and children can usually apply on the same application if they are eligible. Each pays £3,226. Dependants need their own continuous residence and, if aged 18 to 64, their own Life in the UK pass and English evidence. Children over 18 have additional requirements.

After you get ILR

• Your status is digital. It is shown as an eVisa in your UKVI account.
• You can apply for British citizenship, usually after holding ILR for 12 months (unless you are married to a British citizen). See how to apply for British citizenship.
• ILR can lapse if you spend more than 2 continuous years outside the UK. Different rules apply to settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
• You can claim public funds if eligible, and you no longer need a sponsor.

Earned settlement: what could change

In November 2025 the government consulted on “earned settlement”, which would raise the standard qualifying period to 10 years, with reductions for things like high earnings or C1 English and increases for things like benefit use. The consultation closed on 12 February 2026 and no outcome has been published as of October 2026.

On 15 September 2026 the Home Secretary told MPs the policy, including transitional arrangements, would be published before the end of 2026, in good time before February 2027, when the first 2022 arrivals reach 5 years. She did not commit to a minimum notice period. Options under consideration include keeping some cohorts on the 5-year route.

Read Earned settlement explained for the full proposals, and watch our updates page and UK hub.

What to do next

1. Work out your exact ILR eligibility date and the 28-day early window.
2. Check your absences against the 180-day rule now, not at the last minute.
3. Book the Life in the UK test well in advance.
4. If you qualify before 26 March 2027, consider whether applying before that date helps you avoid the B2 requirement.
5. If you have absences close to the limit, a past refusal, criminal record or gaps in your status, speak to an OISC-regulated adviser or solicitor before applying.