Indefinite Leave to Remain

Get help with

• Settlement after a work visa
• Settlement as a spouse or partner
• Long residence
• Absences from the UK
• Previous immigration issues
• Dependants
• Supporting documents

Who can apply

Indefinite Leave to Remain, often called ILR or settlement, is for people who have completed the qualifying period on a route that leads to settlement and who meet the requirements at the date of application.

The qualifying period and the conditions are set by the route you are on, so two people who arrived in the same year can become eligible at different times.

Main requirements

• Completion of the qualifying period on your route
• Continuous residence, with absences within the permitted limits
• Continuing to meet the conditions of your route
• Knowledge of language and life in the UK, unless exempt
• No reasons for refusal arising from character or immigration history

Absences from the UK

Time spent outside the UK is counted against limits that differ between routes. Go through your travel history carefully before you apply: passports, tickets and employer records all help.

Documents commonly required

• Current and previous passports
• eVisa or residence permit details
• Life in the UK test pass
• English language evidence
• Evidence of residence, work or relationship, depending on the route
• Documents for dependants applying with you

Dependants

Partners and children do not always qualify at the same moment as the main applicant. Check each person's own qualifying period before applying together.

Timing

Apply before your current permission expires, but not earlier than the rules for your route allow. An application made too early can be refused and the fee is not refunded.

Previous immigration issues

If an earlier application was refused, or there is a problem in your immigration history, it is important to understand the reasons given before deciding what to do next.

A new application that does not deal with those reasons is likely to meet the same result.