Permanent
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
Indefinite Leave to Remain, also known as settlement, allows you to live, work, and study in the UK without time restrictions. It also enables you to apply for benefits (if eligible) and later apply for British citizenship.
There are different ILR application routes depending on your circumstances.
If you or your family member are an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen, you may instead qualify for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
ILR Checklist – Skilled Worker Route
- Eligibility Requirements
You must usually:
- Have lived and worked in the UK for 5 continuous yearson a Skilled Worker visa (or Tier 2/T2/International Sportsperson).
- Be still employedwith your sponsor (or have a valid job offer).
- Meet the salary threshold(currently £29,000 per year, or £23,040 if you qualify under a shortage occupation/healthcare/education role).
- Have not spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month periodduring the 5 years.
- Prove knowledge of English(unless exempt).
- Pass the Life in the UK Test.
- Documents You’ll Need
Prepare the following before applying:
- Current passport(and any old passports covering your UK residence).
- Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)(if you have one).
- Sponsor letterfrom your employer confirming:
- You are still required for your job
- Your salary and job details
- The job meets skill and salary thresholds
- Payslips and bank statements(to prove income, usually last 6 months).
- Proof of continuous residence(e.g., tenancy agreements, council tax bills, utility bills, HMRC records).
- Life in the UK Test pass certificate.
- English language proof(if not exempt: IELTS SELT, UK degree certificate, or Ecctis assessment).
- Dependants’ documents(if applying together: marriage certificate, children’s birth certificates, proof of living together).
- Application Process
- Apply online via the UK Government website.
- Upload your documents to the UKVCAS portal.
- Book and attend a biometric appointmentat a UKVCAS service point (fingerprints + photo).
- Wait for a decision (usually within 6 months; faster services may be available for a fee).
- Fees
- ILR application fee:£2,885 per applicant.
- Biometric appointment fee:Free (but some premium centres may charge extra).
- Life in the UK Test fee:£50.
- English test fee (if required):~£150.
(Good news: no healthcare surcharge for ILR applications.)
- Decision Outcome
- If approved → You’ll receive a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)showing ILR status.
- After 12 months with ILR, you can apply for British citizenship(or immediately if married to a British citizen).
ILR on the Basis of 10 Years’ Continuous Residence
- Eligibility Requirements
You must:
- Have lived legally in the UK for 10 continuous years(any visa type counts, including student, work, family, etc., as long as there are no big breaks).
- Not have spent more than 540 days outside the UK in totalover the 10 years.
- Not have been absent for more than 180 days in any single trip.
- Still be in the UK legally when applying.
- Meet the English language requirement(unless exempt).
- Pass the Life in the UK Test.
- Documents You’ll Need
- Passport(s)covering the full 10-year period.
- Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)(if issued).
- Proof of residence(bank statements, utility bills, tenancy agreements, HMRC or GP records showing you were living in the UK).
- Life in the UK Test pass certificate.
- English language proof(unless exempt).
- Immigration history(Home Office may already have this, but keep records of visas and extensions).
- Fees
- ILR application fee:£2,885 per person.
- Biometric appointment fee:Free (extra if you choose premium services).
- Life in the UK Test fee:£50.
- English test (if needed):~£150.
(No NHS healthcare surcharge for ILR.)
- Processing Time
- Standard service: up to 6 months.
- Priority (if available): decision in 5 working days.
- Super priority (if available): decision in 1 working day.
- If Approved
- You’ll get ILR statusand a new BRP card.
- After 12 months with ILR, you can apply for British citizenship(or immediately if married to a British citizen).
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) – Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, or Tier 2 Routes
Overview
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also known as settlement, allows you to:
- Live, work, and study in the UK without restrictions.
- Access benefits (if eligible).
- Apply for British citizenshiponce eligible.
If you hold a Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, T2 Minister of Religion, or International Sportsperson visa (including older Tier 2 visas), you may be able to apply for ILR.
Eligibility
You must:
- Have lived and worked in the UK for 5 yearson a qualifying visa.
- Meet the salary requirementsfor your visa category.
- Continue to be needed in your role and earn the required salary after ILR is granted.
- A letter from your employer (sponsor)is required to confirm this.
(Note: There are specific rules about absences from the UK during your 5-year qualifying period.)
Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK
If you’re aged 18–64, you must:
- Pass the Life in the UK Test(book in advance).
You do not need to prove your English language ability again when applying for ILR on these visa routes, as this was already required when you applied for your initial visa.
ILR Fees and Processing Times
Service Type | Fee (per applicant) | Processing Time | Notes |
Standard Service | £3,029 | Up to 6 months | Most commonly used option. |
Priority Service | + £500 (total £3,529) | Usually 5 working days | Availability limited depending on UKVCAS centre. |
Super Priority Service | + £1,000 (total £4,029) | By the end of the next working day (after biometrics) | Only available at select UKVCAS centres. |
Important:
- All applicants must provide biometric information(fingerprints & photo).
- Faster decision services may not always be available depending on demand and your application type.
Faster Decision Options for ILR Applications
- Priority Service
- Extra Fee: £500
- Total Cost: £3,529 (per applicant)
- Decision Time: Within 5 working daysafter providing biometric information
- Super Priority Service
- Extra Fee: £1,000
- Total Cost: £4,029 (per applicant)
- Decision Time:
- Weekday appointment→ By the end of the next working day after biometrics
- Weekend appointment→ Within 2 working days after biometrics
Working days are Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.
Time in the UK – ILR Eligibility
Minimum Residency
- You must have lived in the UK for 5 year son eligible visas before applying.
Time Outside the UK (Absences Rule)
- You can spend no more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period.
- The Home Office uses the continuous residence rule to check this.
Dependents’ Time Does Not Count
- If you lived in the UK as a partner or child (dependent)on a visa, that period cannot be counted towards the 5 years.
Mixing Visa Categories
- You can combine time on certain eligible visas to make up the 5 years.
- Eligible visas include:
- Any Tier 1 visa (except Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur)
- Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, or Tier 2 (General)
- Scale-up Worker
- T2 Minister of Religion or Tier 2 (Minister of Religion)
- International Sportsperson, T2 Sportsperson or Tier 2 (Sportsperson)
- Innovator Founder
- Global Talent
- Representative of an Overseas Business
Key Tip: If you switched visas during your 5-year stay, you need to make sure all time was spent under eligible visa categories and that your absences stay within the 180-day rule.
ILR Salary Requirements – Comparison Table
Category | Minimum Salary | Other Conditions |
General rule (Skilled Worker, T2, Health & Care Worker) | £41,700 OR going rate (whichever is higher) | Based on occupation code standard rate |
Healthcare & Education (general) | £25,000 OR national pay scale going rate | Going rate set by NHS/teaching scales |
Health & Care Worker visa (special) | £31,300 per year OR £25,000 (if job on Immigration Salary List) OR lower going rate | Applies to specific healthcare occupation codes |
Immigration Salary List jobs | £33,400 OR going rate | Applies only if job is on Immigration Salary List |
Skilled Worker visa issued before 4 Apr 2024 (continuous holders) | £31,300 OR £25,000 (if job on Immigration Salary List) OR lower going rate | Only if first CoS issued before 4 April 2024 |
Tier 2 (General) visa – Scientific/Research/Academic roles | £25,000 OR different going rate | Specific codes: 2111–2119, 2150, 2311 |
International Sportsperson / T2 Sportsperson | £35,800 | Must be from sponsored job |
T2 Minister of Religion | Equal to UK workers in same role + at least National Minimum Wage | No fixed salary threshold |
Visual decision tree checklist for ILR dependents
ILR Dependents Eligibility Checklist
Partner / Spouse
1. Do they currently hold a partner dependant visa?
YES
2. Have they lived in the UK with you for 5 continuous years?
YES
3. Is your relationship genuine and continuing?
YES
4. Do you both intend to live together permanently in the UK?
YES
5. Can you support yourselves without public funds?
YES
6. If aged 18–64 → Have they passed Life in the UK Test + English requirement?
YES
Partner qualifies for ILR with you
Child Under 18
7. Do they currently hold a child dependant visa?
YES
8. Are they unmarried / not in a civil partnership?
YES
9. Will they live with you and be financially supported without public funds?
YES
10. Are both parents applying for/holding ILR at the same time?
YES → Child qualifies
NO → Check exceptions:
Sole surviving parent?
Sole responsibility for upbringing?
Serious/compelling family reasons?
YES → Child may qualify
Child Aged 16–18
Same as above, PLUS extra documents:
- Proof of where they live (bank, NHS, school letter, etc.).
- Evidence of financial support if not living with you.
If all met → Child qualifies
Child 18+
11. Did they first get permission as your dependant before turning 18?
YES
12. Are they still not living independently (unmarried, no kids, financially dependent)?
YES
13. Have they passed Life in the UK Test + English requirement?
YES
Child qualifies for ILR
If any step = NO → they must apply separately for leave to remain.
ILR Decision & After-Approval Guide
Decision Times
- Standard service:up to 6 months
- Priority service (£500):within 5 working days
- Super priority service (£1,000):
- Next working day (if biometric appointment on a weekday)
- Within 2 working days (if appointment at the weekend)
Processing may take longer if:
- Documents need verification
- You’re asked to attend an interview
- Personal circumstances (e.g. criminal convictions)
If Your ILR Is Approved
You can:
- Work (employed or self-employed)
- Run a business
- Study
- Access public services (NHS, schools)
- Apply for public funds(benefits & pensions)
- Apply for British citizenship(usually after 12 months)
Staying Outside the UK
- You’ll lose ILRif you stay outside the UK for more than 2 years
- To return, you may need to apply for a Returning Resident visa.
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