Settlement and Indefinite Leave to Remain

The standard qualifying period for ILR is 5 years of continuous lawful residence in the UK on an eligible visa route. The most common routes that count toward ILR include:

• Skilled Worker visa (and its predecessor, Tier 2)
• Spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner visa
• UK Ancestry visa
• Innovator Founder visa (after 3 years)
• Long Residence route (10 years of continuous lawful residence)

Continuous residence means you must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any single 12-month period during the qualifying period. Absences for holidays, business trips, and family visits are permissible as long as they do not exceed this limit in any rolling 12-month window. Exceeding this limit resets your qualifying clock or may lead to refusal.

Count your absences carefully before applying. UKVI has access to border control records and will check your travel history against your application.

Most ILR applicants must pass the Life in the UK test before applying. The test is a computer-based multiple-choice exam covering topics such as British history, values, traditions, and government. Key points:

• The test is taken at an approved test centre and costs £50
• You need to score at least 75% (18 out of 24 questions) to pass
• There is no limit on the number of times you can take the test, but you must wait 7 days between attempts
• A pass certificate is valid for life — you do not need to retake it if you subsequently apply for citizenship
• Exemptions apply for applicants aged 65 or over, and those with certain long-term physical or mental conditions that prevent studying for the test

Study materials are available from the official Life in the UK test website. The official handbook — "Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents" (third edition) — is the primary study resource. The test covers material from the handbook, so thorough reading is the best preparation.

The ILR application is made online through the UKVI portal. Key aspects of the application include:

• Fee — Currently £2,885 per person (increased significantly in recent years). There is no IHS charge for ILR applicants, as it confers indefinite leave.
• Biometrics — You will need to enrol biometrics at a UKVI appointment, or use the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) app if eligible.
• Documents — Typically include your passport, all previous passports used during the qualifying period, evidence of your current qualifying visa status, evidence of your qualifying employment or relationship (depending on route), Life in the UK test pass certificate, and English language evidence (if required for your route).
• Processing time — Currently around 6 months for standard applications. A Priority Service (additional £500) reduces this to 5 working days. A Super Priority Service (additional £800) gives a same-day or next-working-day decision.

ILR gives you the right to live and work in the UK without any immigration restrictions. You are treated the same as a British citizen for most purposes, including access to the NHS, the right to vote in local elections, and access to most benefits (subject to habitual residence tests).

However, ILR can be lost in the following circumstances:

• You spend 2 or more consecutive years outside the UK — your ILR lapses automatically
• You are deported from the UK due to criminal convictions
• Your ILR was obtained by deception (fraud)

If you need to travel outside the UK for more than 2 years, you can apply for a Returning Resident visa before leaving, which may allow you to return without losing your ILR — though the decision is discretionary. Those who have lived outside the UK for more than two years and have lost their ILR can also apply as a Returning Resident if they have strong ties to the UK.