Indefinite Leave to Remain: Your Step-by-Step Roadmap
If ILR feels complicated, you’re not alone. This guide turns indefinite leave to remain into a simple, step‑by‑step plan—so you know exactly what to do, when to do it, and how to avoid costly mistakes.
We’ll define ILR, compare it to other statuses, map the journey from your visa to ILR, show eligibility and documents, explain fees and timelines for 2025, and share proven strategies to pass the Life in the UK Test on your first try.
What is Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?
Indefinite leave to remain is the UK’s settlement status. It lets you live, work and study in the UK without time limits and, if eligible, access certain benefits. The UK government describes ILR (also called “settlement”) as the way you permanently settle in the country [Gov.uk].
In everyday terms, ILR is the point at which visa renewals stop. You can usually apply for citizenship after holding ILR for 12 months (sooner if married to a British citizen) [Gov.uk]. Although people informally say “permanent residence UK,” the UK does not officially recognise a separate “Permanent Resident” status—ILR is the closest equivalent [DavidsonMorris].
ILR vs Permanent Residence vs British Citizenship
Applicants often confuse these terms. Here’s how they differ legally and in day‑to‑day life:
Status What it means Key rights How you can lose it Path to citizenship ILR (Settlement) Indefinite permission to live in the UK without time limits Live, work, study; access certain benefits if eligible Usually lost if absent from the UK for 2+ continuous years [source] Typically after 12 months with ILR [Gov.uk] “Permanent Residence UK” Informal phrase; the UK’s formal status is ILR — — — British Citizenship Full nationality status UK passport; right to vote; full political rights Generally not lost by absence Apply via naturalisation rules [Gov.uk]
Who typically qualifies for ILR?
Common routes and typical profiles include:
Skilled Worker (formerly Tier 2): Usually 5 years’ qualifying residence with absences of no more than 180 days in any 12 months; certain time as a dependant does not count toward the 5 years [Gov.uk].
Family routes (e.g., partner/parent): Typically 5 years on a relevant family visa; time on other visas generally can’t be counted towards this family route requirement [Gov.uk].
Long residence (10‑year rule): 10 years’ continuous residence in almost any lawful category; with up to 180 days’ absence permitted in any 12 months [Gov.uk].
Private life: If born in the UK and lived here continuously for 7 years, you can apply immediately; adults generally after 10 years with relevant leave and meeting private life criteria [Gov.uk].
Other work/innovation routes: Certain routes (e.g., Global Talent) can lead to ILR, often on accelerated timelines depending on the visa rules. Always check the specific visa guidance on Gov.uk.
High-level roadmap: From visa to ILR in clear stages
Use this phased plan to understand the milestones and deadlines that drive your ILR success.
Pick a qualifying route (Month 0): Choose the visa that leads to settlement and aligns with your goals.
Build your qualifying period (Years 1–5 or 1–10): Keep legal residence, track absences, and meet route‑specific rules.
Pass mandatory tests (Months −6 to −1): Complete the Life in the UK Test and meet English requirements.
Pre‑application audit (Months −2 to −1): Evidence check, absence calculations, employer or relationship proofs, draft cover letter.
Apply at the earliest lawful time: Typically up to 28 days before you hit your qualifying period on certain routes like Skilled Worker [Gov.uk].
Biometrics and wait: Book UKVCAS, upload documents, attend appointment, and wait for a decision.
Outcome: Receive ILR (eVisa/BRP), then consider citizenship after 12 months if eligible [Gov.uk].
Stage 1: Settling on the right visa route
Your initial visa choice controls how quickly you reach ILR and what you must prove. For example, Skilled Worker is generally a 5‑year route with continuous residence rules; Long Residence accepts mixed visa categories but takes 10 years [Gov.uk]. Family routes depend on relationship evidence and specific residence rules.
Stage 2: Meeting residence, employment and family requirements
Across routes, you’ll need to keep a clean record of your continuous period in the UK and manage absences. Many work and family routes require demonstrating ongoing employment or relationship evidence. Under Skilled Worker rules, you must usually have no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months [Gov.uk].
Stage 3: Final pre-application checks and test requirements
Before you apply, confirm:
Life in the UK Test booked and passed (usually required if you’re 18–64) and English language met via an approved test or exempt qualification [Gov.uk].
Documents match your current details and cover the full qualifying period.
Absence calculations are correct and evidenced with travel/HR records.
Good character factors considered (e.g., compliance with immigration and tax rules).
New to the Life in the UK Test? Read our primer: What is the Life in the UK Test? and our strategy guide: Ace the Life in the UK Test with Proven Strategies.
Detailed eligibility checklist
Use this practical checklist to confirm you’re truly ready to apply for indefinite leave to remain:
Qualifying visa route and minimum residence period met (e.g., 5 years Skilled Worker; 10 years Long Residence).
Absences compliant: no more than 180 days in any 12‑month period where required; full travel log prepared.
All leave periods lawful with no gaps or overstays.
English language requirement met or exempt; Life in the UK Test certificate secured.
Employment evidence (e.g., sponsor letter, payslips) or relationship evidence (e.g., cohabitation documents) ready.
Address history, BRP/eVisa numbers, passport details correct and up to date.
Financial and tax compliance evidenced (P60s, SA302s if relevant).
Cover letter drafted: explains absences, route history, and checklist of supporting documents.
Residence requirements: How to calculate the qualifying period
Here’s a simple approach that avoids common pitfalls:
Define your route: 5 years (many work/family visas) or 10 years (Long Residence) [Gov.uk].
Set your application window: For routes like Skilled Worker, you can usually apply up to 28 days before you complete 5 years; applying earlier risks refusal [Gov.uk].
Check absences: No more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12 months during the qualifying period for many work routes [Gov.uk].
Evidence everything: Keep travel logs, boarding passes where possible, employer letters confirming overseas trips, and passport stamps.
Don’t include ineligible time: For certain routes, time as a dependant may not count towards the main applicant’s 5 years [Gov.uk].
Tip: For 10‑year Long Residence, you can combine most visa categories if your residence is legal and continuous, and your absences stay within the 180/12‑month limits [Gov.uk].
English language and Life in the UK Test requirements
If you’re aged 18–64, you’ll usually need to pass the Life in the UK Test and prove English proficiency (or qualify for an exemption) [Gov.uk]. Practical tips:
Book the test 6–8 weeks before your target ILR date to allow retake margin.
Practice with mock exams to master timing and question styles.
Use a study plan that covers high‑yield topics and hard questions. Start here: 8 Most Challenging Life in the UK Test Topics and 7 Common Life in the UK Test Mistakes to Avoid.
Preparing your documents: What to collect and how to organise
Organise your evidence so a caseworker can verify eligibility in minutes. A simple folder system works best:
Folder A: Identity – current and previous passports, BRP/eVisa details, legal name change documents.
Folder B: Residence & travel – proof of address history, travel log with dates and days out of the UK, copies of boarding passes/booking confirmations where available.
Folder C: Route‑specific evidence – e.g., employer letter and payslips (work routes); cohabitation evidence spanning 2+ years (family routes).
Folder D: Language & Life in the UK – test pass notification, English test certificate or exempt qualification.
Folder E: Compliance – tax records (P60s or SA302s), HMRC letters if relevant, sponsor licence details if needed.
Folder F: Cover letter & indexes – your narrative, document checklist, and pagination.
Proof of identity, residence and employment
Strong evidence options (and alternatives if something’s missing):
Identity: Valid passport (or national ID where accepted), BRP number/eVisa share code. If lost, include police report and Home Office reference.
Residence: Council tax bills, tenancy agreements, utility bills, bank statements, GP or school letters. If gaps exist, combine multiple lighter documents to cover the period.
Employment (work routes): Employer letter confirming role, salary and SOC where relevant; last 3–6 months’ payslips; P60s. If you changed employers, provide documents for each period.
Family (partner/parent routes): Joint bank statements, joint tenancy or mortgage, council tax, official letters sent to the same address over the required period.
Common documentary pitfalls and how to fix them
Name/identity mismatches: Explain changes and include deed poll/marriage certificate.
Travel gaps: Reconstruct from email confirmations, HR records, and passport stamps. Provide a clear absence table.
Insufficient cohabitation proof: Use paired evidence from acceptable sources spaced evenly across the required period.
Outdated employer letters: Request a fresh letter on letterhead, dated, and signed, aligning with payslips and HR systems.
How to submit the application: fees, forms and timelines
You’ll apply online via Gov.uk. The system routes you to the correct SET form based on your answers (e.g., family, work, long residence, private life).
Fees: The application fee is £3,029 per person. You can include eligible family members on the same form [Gov.uk].
Processing times: Standard decisions typically within 6 months. Priority service (additional £500) aims for a decision within 5 working days [Gov.uk].
Travel restriction: Do not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man while your application is pending, or it will be withdrawn [Gov.uk].
Booking biometrics and interviews
After paying, you’ll book a UKVCAS appointment to submit biometrics and upload/scan documents. Tips to avoid delays:
Upload a single, paginated PDF per category and include a contents page.
Ensure all names, dates, and passport numbers match across documents.
Bring originals to your appointment even if you uploaded scans.
Consider priority appointments if timelines are tight.
Common reasons ILR applications are refused and how to avoid them
Preventable mistakes cause many refusals. Focus on these risk areas early:
Breaking the continuous period: Excess absences or gaps in lawful leave. Mitigation: meticulous absence logs and legal continuity evidence.
Missing or inconsistent documents: Unverifiable records, mismatched dates or names. Mitigation: a master checklist and cover letter cross‑referencing every claim.
Incorrect timing: Applying before the permitted window (e.g., more than 28 days early on some routes). Mitigation: calculate your eligibility date and double‑check.
Deception concerns: Undeclared offences, tax discrepancies, or misleading information. Mitigation: disclose proactively and explain with evidence.
Residence problems, missing evidence and deception
How each issue arises—and how to resolve it:
Residence problems: Passport renewals without old stamps; multiple short trips exceeding 180/12 rules. Solution: reconstruct travel using HR letters, emails, and booking receipts; provide a calculation table.
Missing evidence: Lost bills or tenancy gaps. Solution: pair alternative documents (bank statements + council tax) and add a timeline explaining each period.
Deception flags: Inconsistent tax records, undisclosed cautions. Solution: obtain HMRC summaries, pay any arrears, and include a frank explanation with supporting documents.
The Life in the UK Test's role in your ILR application
The Life in the UK Test demonstrates integration and knowledge of UK history, laws and culture. It’s usually mandatory if you’re 18–64 [Gov.uk]. Take it before your ILR application so your certificate is ready to upload.
For a quick overview of content and rules, see: What is the Life in the UK Test?
Preparing effectively: study plans and recommended tools
Here’s a practical 6–8 week plan designed to minimise stress and retests:
Weeks 1–2: Read the official handbook content and note weak areas.
Weeks 3–4: Daily practice questions; review explanations; start spaced‑repetition on missed items.
Weeks 5–6: Full mock tests under timed conditions; focus on historically tricky topics.
Weeks 7–8 (buffer): Targeted refresh, one mock per day, adjust test date if needed.
Struggling with time, motivation, or knowing when you’re ready? The Life in the UK Test App solves common problems:
Overwhelm → Structured mobile lessons with the complete official handbook content.
Poor retention → 650+ questions with clear explanations and a smart learning assistant that reinforces weak areas.
Uncertain readiness → A readiness score that shows when to book your test confidently.
No Wi‑Fi? → Offline access so you can study anywhere, anytime.
Exam anxiety → Mock exams including a realistic “Hard Mode” to simulate pressure.
Quickly raise your pass odds and protect your ILR timeline:
Download on the App Store • Get it on Google Play
After submission: what to expect and next steps if approved or refused
If approved: You’ll receive confirmation of ILR, now commonly as an eVisa (with BRP usage being phased out in favour of digital status). Follow the instructions to access and prove your status online; if issued a BRP, collect it as directed. You can live and work in the UK permanently without renewing visas—and you don’t need citizenship to stay indefinitely [Citizens Advice].
Be aware: ILR can usually lapse if you’re absent from the UK for 2+ consecutive years (5 years for EU Settled Status) [DavidsonMorris].
If refused: Read the decision letter carefully. Your immediate options may include administrative review (if an eligible case‑work error is claimed), appeal (if you have a right of appeal), or re‑application with stronger evidence. Address the refusal reasons directly—especially residence calculations and documentary gaps—before trying again.
Thinking ahead to citizenship? Most can apply after 12 months with ILR (or immediately if married to a British citizen) [Gov.uk]. For the bigger picture, see our guide: How to Get British Citizenship: The Complete Guide.
Final checklist
Print this pre‑submission checklist and keep it on top of your file:
Route eligibility confirmed; correct application window (e.g., not earlier than 28 days before eligibility on applicable routes).
Absence table completed with totals per rolling 12‑month period.
Life in the UK Test pass and English language proof included.
Identity documents (passports, BRP/eVisa proof) aligned with application details.
Route‑specific evidence present and dated (employment/relationship/long residence).
Tax and compliance evidence (P60s/SA302s) if relevant.
Cover letter summarising the application and indexing attachments.
All PDFs named consistently and paginated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ILR in the UK? ILR (indefinite leave to remain) is settlement—permission to stay in the UK without time limits and work/study freely.
How long before I can apply for ILR? Many routes require 5 years; Long Residence needs 10 years of lawful, continuous residence. Check your specific visa rules.
What are the absence limits? Often no more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12 months during the qualifying period for work routes.
Do I need citizenship after ILR? No. You can live and work permanently with ILR. Many apply for citizenship after 12 months with ILR.
How much does ILR cost and how long is processing? £3,029 per applicant; standard decisions are usually within 6 months. Priority 5 working days for an extra £500.
How the Life in the UK Test App helps (CTA)
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Want more free help? Read our guides: Proven test strategies and Mistakes to avoid.
This article provides general information, not legal advice. Always check the latest rules on Gov.uk before applying.