UK settlement visa (UK ILR): What is indefinite leave to remain?

Getting indefinite leave to remain (UK ILR)—UK settlement visa—lets you live in the UK permanently. But who can apply, what are the rules, and how do you qualify? This guide breaks down everything you need to know, from visa routes to requirements.

What is indefinite leave to remain (UK ILR)?

Indefinite Leave to Remain (UK ILR) is a type of immigration status that allows non-UK citizens to stay in the UK permanently. It is also known as a UK settlement visa and provides individuals with the right to:

• Live in the UK without time restrictions

• Work or start a business

• Access the NHS and public services

• Apply for public benefits (if eligible)

• Apply for British citizenship after 12 months

ILR is the final step before becoming a British citizen, making it a crucial status for those who want to settle in the UK long-term.

How to apply UK ILR (indefinite leave to remain): 5 ways to get your UK settlement visa

To obtain an ILR visa, you must meet certain eligibility criteria based on your visa type and residency history. Here are the most common routes to UK ILR:

1. Work visa

2. Family

3. Long residence

4. UK ancestry

5. Refugee or humanitarian protection

UK ILR work visa route

If you hold a Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Scale-up Worker, or Innovator Founder visa, you may be eligible for ILR after 5 years (or sooner for some visa types).

Indefinite leave to remain spouse/family route

If you have a partner, parent, or child who is a British citizen or has ILR, you may qualify for ILR through a spouse visa after 5 or 10 years, depending on your UK visa type.

Long residence route

If you have lived in the UK continuously for 10 years under any legal visa category, you may apply for ILR under the long residence rule.

UK Ancestry visa route

Commonwealth citizens with a UK Ancestry visa can apply for ILR after 5 years of continuous residence.

Refugee or humanitarian protection

Those with refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK may apply for ILR after 5 years.

Indefinite leave to remain status

Once you obtain ILR, you are considered settled in the UK, meaning:

• You are no longer subject to immigration control.

• You can live, work, and study in the UK indefinitely.

• You can apply for British citizenship after 12 months.

• Your ILR will be recorded as an eVisa instead of a physical document.

Here is how can you check UK settled status in 3 steps!

UK ILR rules & requirements

To apply for ILR, you must meet specific requirements, including:

1. Continuous residence

• You must have lived in the UK for 5 or 10 years, depending on your visa.

• You cannot have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period.

2. Life in the UK Test

• This is a multiple-choice exam about British history, culture, and laws.

• The test costs £50, and you must pass it before applying for ILR.

3. English language requirement

• You must prove your English proficiency through:

• A B1-level English test in speaking and listening

• A degree taught in English

4. Financial requirements

• Some visas (e.g., Skilled Worker visa) require you to meet a minimum salary threshold.

5. Criminal record check

• Serious criminal offenses or breaches of immigration rules can lead to ILR refusal.

UK ILR visa-free countries

It's important to note that ILR status is not equivalent to British citizenship or holding a British passport. Consequently, the visa-free or visa-on-arrival privileges associated with ILR are limited and largely dependent on the passport you hold. However, some countries and territories may offer visa exemptions, such as:

• Ireland (visa-free entry for ILR holders)

• Schengen Area (easier visa approval for ILR holders)

• USA (ILR holders may find it easier to get a visa)

• Canada (ILR holders can apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if they have held a valid UK visa)

• United Arab Emirates (UAE) (visa-free entry for 30 days for ILR holders)

• Singapore (easier visa approval)

• Malaysia (90-day visa-free entry)

A summary to 5-year route to UK settlement

The most common way to obtain ILR is through the 5-year route. This applies to:

• Skilled Worker visa holders

• Global Talent visa holders

• Scale-up Worker visa holders

• Family members of British citizens or ILR holders

• UK Ancestry visa holders

To qualify, you must:

• Have spent 5 continuous years in the UK on an eligible visa

• Meet the salary and financial requirements (if applicable)

• Pass the Life in the UK test

• Meet the English language requirement

• Not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period

FAQs

UK indefinite leave to remain fee

As of 2025, the application fee for ILR is £2,885 per person.

UK ILR processing time

Most applications take up to 6 months, though priority services may be available.