Requirements for indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom in 2026

Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) is the immigration status that allows a person to live, work and study in the United Kingdom without any time restriction on their stay. It is commonly referred to as settlement and is one of the most significant milestones on the path to British citizenship.

Applying for ILR is a formal procedure managed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), a division of the Home Office. The requirements vary depending on the visa route you are currently on — for example, the Skilled Worker visa, the Spouse or Partner visa, or the Long Residence route — but the core principles around continuous residence, English language ability and knowledge of life in the UK apply across most routes. This guide covers the main requirements in force in 2026 and is designed to help you understand what to prepare before you submit your application.

What this procedure is and what it’s for

Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) grants you the right to live in the UK permanently, without needing to renew a visa or comply with immigration time limits. Once granted, your status is held digitally through a UKVI account and eVisa — there is no physical document issued.

ILR applies to people who have spent a qualifying period living lawfully in the UK on a specific visa route. Common qualifying routes include:

• The Skilled Worker visa (formerly Tier 2 General, which is no longer a current route)
• The Spouse, Civil Partner or Unmarried Partner visa
• The Family visa (as a parent or dependent)
• The Long Residence route (10 continuous years of lawful residence)
• The Innovator Founder visa
• The Global Talent visa
• The Domestic Worker visa
• The Refugee or Humanitarian Protection route

The official body responsible for processing ILR applications is UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), part of the Home Office. Applications are submitted online via the UKVI website, and in most cases you will also need to attend a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre to enrol your biometrics.

Documents required

The exact documents depend on your visa route, but the following list covers what is required for the most common applications. Always check the specific requirements for your route on the UKVI website.

Identity and current immigration status

• Your current valid passport (original)
• All previous passports you held during your qualifying residence period (originals or certified copies if originals are unavailable)
• Your eVisa details and UKVI account reference (digital — no physical BRP is required as BRPs expired on 31 December 2024)

Proof of continuous residence

• Payslips or employer letters covering the qualifying period (typically 5 years)
• P60 tax certificates for each tax year in the qualifying period
• Bank statements showing regular activity in the UK throughout the qualifying period
• Tenancy agreements or mortgage statements showing your UK address
• Council tax bills or utility bills as supplementary address evidence
• If self-employed: HMRC Self Assessment tax returns and business accounts

English language evidence

• A Secure English Language Test (SELT) certificate at B1 level or above from an approved provider (original), unless exempt
• Exemptions apply if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country, hold a degree taught in English, or are aged 65 or over — supporting documents for the exemption must be provided

Life in the UK test

• Your Life in the UK test pass notification (the test reference number is submitted as part of the online application)
• Exemptions apply for applicants aged 65 or over or those with a long-term physical or mental condition — a letter from a medical professional may be required

Relationship or employment evidence (route-specific)

For Skilled Worker route applicants:

• A letter from your current employer confirming your job title, salary, and that you are still employed
• Your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number

For Spouse or Partner route applicants:

• Marriage or civil partnership certificate (original or certified translation if not in English)
• Evidence of cohabitation throughout the qualifying period (joint bank statements, joint tenancy agreements, correspondence addressed to both partners)
• Photographs of you together as a couple

Financial requirement (Spouse or Partner route)

• Evidence that the sponsoring partner meets the minimum income threshold (currently £29,000 gross per year as of 2026, subject to change — verify with UKVI)
• Payslips, P60s or bank statements of the sponsoring partner

Other documents that may be required

• Children’s birth certificates if including dependants in the application
• Decree absolute or dissolution certificate if either partner was previously married
• Police registration certificate if you were required to register with the police
• Absence record — a clear account of all trips outside the UK during the qualifying period, including dates and destinations (excessive absences can affect eligibility)

Steps to complete the procedure

1. Check your eligibility. Confirm you have completed the qualifying continuous residence period for your route (usually 5 years, or 10 years for Long Residence). Use the UKVI eligibility checker at gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families or the relevant route page.

2. Pass the Life in the UK test. Book and sit the test at an approved test centre before submitting your application. You must pass before applying (unless exempt). Book at lifeintheuktestweb.co.uk.

3. Obtain your English language certificate. If you are not exempt, book a SELT with an approved provider listed on the UKVI website and obtain your certificate before applying.

4. Gather all supporting documents. Compile originals and certified copies as required. Have any non-English documents professionally translated by a qualified translator.

5. Submit your online application. Go to gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain, select your route, complete the online form and pay the application fee. You will need a Government Gateway account or UKVI account to proceed.

6. Book a UKVCAS biometric appointment. After submitting your application, you will receive instructions to book an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre. At this appointment, your fingerprints and photograph will be taken and your documents will be scanned.

7. Attend your UKVCAS appointment. Bring your passport and all supporting documents. Some UKVCAS centres offer enhanced services (document scanning, photocopying) for an additional fee.

8. Await a decision. UKVI will review your application and documents. If approved, your ILR status will be recorded digitally in your UKVI account as an eVisa. You will receive a decision letter and instructions to view your status online.

Estimated total time from application submission to decision: typically 6 months under the standard service, or around 5 working days under the Super Priority service (where available for your route).

Fees and timelines

• Standard ILR application fee: £2,885 per person (as of 2026 — verify the current fee at gov.uk before applying, as fees are reviewed periodically)
• Dependants: each dependant included in the application pays the same fee of £2,885
• Super Priority service fee: approximately £800–£1,000 in addition to the main application fee (availability varies by route and location)
• UKVCAS biometric appointment: a basic appointment is included, but enhanced services (such as document scanning) cost extra, typically £50–£200 depending on the service package chosen
• Life in the UK test fee: £50 per attempt
• Standard processing time: up to 6 months
• Super Priority processing time: a decision by the end of the next working day after your biometric appointment (where available)
• Validity of ILR: indefinite — ILR does not expire as long as you do not remain outside the UK for a continuous period of more than 2 years (which can cause it to lapse)
• No Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): ILR applicants are not required to pay the IHS

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Exceeding the permitted absences. Most ILR routes allow no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period during the qualifying period. Carefully calculate all absences and include a full travel history. Unexplained or excessive absences are one of the most common reasons for refusal.

• Submitting an expired or invalid English language certificate. SELT certificates are typically valid for 2 years. If your certificate has expired by the time you apply, you will need to resit the test. Check the expiry date before submitting.

• Not including all previous passports. UKVI needs to verify your continuous lawful residence across the entire qualifying period. Missing passports — especially those containing entry stamps or previous visas — can make it impossible to verify your history and may lead to refusal.

• Failing to account for gaps in employment or sponsorship. On the Skilled Worker route, any gap in sponsorship or employment must be explained and evidenced. Ensure your employer letter and payslips cover the full qualifying period without unexplained breaks.

• Submitting documents not in English without a certified translation. Any document in a language other than English or Welsh must be accompanied by a full translation certified by a qualified translator. Uncertified or machine translations are not accepted.

Frequently asked questions

Do I still get a physical card or document when ILR is granted? No. Since physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) expired on 31 December 2024, ILR is now recorded entirely as a digital eVisa linked to your UKVI account. You can view and share proof of your status online at gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status.

Can I travel outside the UK after getting ILR? Yes, but you should be aware that if you remain outside the UK for a continuous period of more than 2 years, your ILR will lapse. If this happens, you may need to apply for a Returning Resident visa to re-enter. Keep a record of your travel after settlement.

How long after getting ILR can I apply for British citizenship? You can apply for naturalisation as a British citizen after holding ILR for at least 12 months (or immediately if you are the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen). You must also meet residence and good character requirements. Applications are made through UKVI.

What happens if my application is refused? You will receive a refusal letter explaining the reasons. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to submit a new application addressing the reasons for refusal, request an Administrative Review, or appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber). The refusal letter will state which options are available to you.

Does the Life in the UK test exemption apply to me if I have a disability? Possibly. If you have a long-term physical or mental condition that prevents you from meeting the requirement, you may be exempt. You will need to provide a letter from a qualified medical professional confirming your condition. UKVI assesses each case individually.

What to do next

The most important documents to prepare first are your current and all previous passports, your continuous residence evidence (payslips, bank statements, tenancy agreements), and your Life in the UK test pass certificate and English language certificate. Once these are in order, you can complete the online application on the UKVI website.

As a first concrete step, log in or create a UKVI account at gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain and select your specific visa route to see the exact document checklist that applies to you.

Important notice: immigration requirements, fees and processing times can change. Always verify the current requirements directly with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) at gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain before submitting your application. If your situation is complex — for example, you have had gaps in lawful residence or previous refusals — consider seeking advice from a regulated immigration adviser registered with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC).