Free Immigration Guides
UK Immigration Guides: ILR, Settlement & Visa Routes
Free, regularly updated guides covering eligibility, absence rules, costs, and the application process for indefinite leave to remain.
Browse all guides below, organised by topic.
What is ILR? Indefinite Leave to Remain Explained (2026)
A complete guide to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK. Learn what ILR means, who can apply, the different routes to settlement, eligibility requirements, costs, and how long it takes.
12 min read · Updated 2026-03-15
How to Get ILR in the UK: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
A beginner-friendly step-by-step guide to getting Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK. Covers eligibility, visa routes, documents, costs, and the full application process.
11 min read · Updated 2026-03-15
ILR New Rules for Skilled Worker Visa 2026
How the 2026 ILR rule changes affect Skilled Worker visa holders. Covers the earned settlement system, new qualifying periods, transitional arrangements, and what to do now.
10 min read · Updated 2026-03-15
UK ILR Rules: Everything You Need to Know (2026)
Complete guide to UK ILR rules and conditions. Covers residence requirements, absence limits, salary thresholds, English language, Life in the UK test, and good character for every visa route.
13 min read · Updated 2026-03-15
Visa-Free Countries for UK ILR Holders (2026)
Which countries can you visit visa-free with UK Indefinite Leave to Remain? Complete list of visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and eVisa destinations for ILR holders by passport.
9 min read · Updated 2026-03-15
British Citizenship After ILR: Requirements (2026)
How to apply for British citizenship after getting ILR. Covers naturalisation requirements, the 12-month waiting period, absence rules, costs, timeline, and the citizenship ceremony.
11 min read · Updated 2026-03-15
UK ILR News & Updates 2026: Latest Changes
Stay up to date with the latest UK ILR news and immigration rule changes for 2026. Covers earned settlement reforms, salary thresholds, processing times, and policy updates.
8 min read · Updated 2026-03-15
The ILR Application Process: Step by Step (2026)
Exactly how to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK. Covers the online form, biometrics, document upload, UKVCAS, processing, and what to do if refused.
12 min read · Updated 2026-03-15
UK Permanent Residency: How to Get It (2026)
Everything about UK permanent residency (officially called ILR). Who qualifies, how to apply, how long it takes, what it costs, and how it differs from British citizenship.
10 min read · Updated 2026-03-15
ILR for Skilled Workers: Full Requirements 2026
Complete ILR requirements for Skilled Worker visa holders. Covers the 5-year qualifying period, salary thresholds, absence rules, documents, and what changes under 2026 earned settlement reforms.
10 min read · Updated 2026-03-15
ILR English Language Requirements 2026
English language requirements for UK ILR applications. Covers the B1 level requirement, approved tests, exemptions, and how to prove English if you already met it for your visa.
8 min read · Updated 2026-03-15
ILR Good Character Requirement Explained (2026)
What the good character requirement means for your ILR application. Covers criminal convictions, immigration offences, unpaid NHS debts, and what does and does not count.
8 min read · Updated 2026-03-15
ILR on a Dependent Visa: What You Need to Know
How to get ILR as a dependent visa holder in the UK. Covers qualifying periods, whether dependent time counts, switching to your own visa, and the application process.
9 min read · Updated 2026-03-15
ILR 10-Year Route: Long Residence Explained (2026)
How to get ILR through the 10-year long residence route. Who qualifies, what visas count, the absence rules, costs, and how it differs from standard 5-year settlement routes.
10 min read · Updated 2026-03-15
ILR Priority Service: Is It Worth It? (2026)
Should you pay for ILR priority or super priority service? Covers processing times, costs, Section 3C leave, and when priority processing is worth paying for.
7 min read · Updated 2026-03-15
Section 3C Leave UK: What It Is and How It Works (2026)
Section 3C leave automatically extends your UK visa when you apply before it expires. Learn what it means, what you can and cannot do, and how it affects your ILR application.
7 min read · Updated 2026-03-15
Can I Lose My ILR? When Indefinite Leave to Remain Lapses
Indefinite leave to remain can lapse if you stay outside the UK for 2+ years. Learn when ILR is revoked, what to do if it lapses, and how to protect your settled status.
6 min read · Updated 2026-03-15
ILR Biometrics Appointment: What to Expect (2026)
Everything you need to know about your ILR biometrics appointment at UKVCAS. What to bring, how to book, what happens on the day, and how long it takes.
6 min read · Updated 2026-03-15
ILR Absence Rules: The Complete 2026 Guide
Everything you need to know about the ILR 180-day absence rule, how rolling 12-month windows work, what counts as an absence day, and how to stay within limits.
10 min read · Updated 2026-03-10
ILR Fees and Processing Times 2025/2026 — Complete Guide
How much does indefinite leave to remain cost? Current ILR application fees, processing times, and priority service options. Updated for 2025/2026.
12 min read · Updated 2026-03-16
How Much Does ILR Cost in 2026? Complete Fee Breakdown
Full breakdown of ILR application fees for 2025/26 including visa fee, NHS surcharge, biometrics, priority services, English test, Life in UK test, and optional lawyer costs.
8 min read · Updated 2026-03-10
Can I Apply for British Citizenship? Eligibility Check 2026
Find out if you're eligible to apply for British citizenship through naturalisation. Covers the 5+1 year rule, absence limits, the 450-day and 90-day rules, and an interactive calculator to check your dates.
9 min read · Updated 2026-04-15
UK Naturalisation Requirements: Step-by-Step 2026 Guide
How to apply for British Citizenship through naturalisation. Covers residency requirements, the 450-day and 90-day absence rules, good character, Life in UK test, and the full application process.
12 min read · Updated 2026-03-10
Life in the UK Test: Everything You Need to Know (2026)
Complete guide to the Life in the UK test including what to study, how to book, costs, pass marks, exemptions, and practice resources.
10 min read · Updated 2026-03-10
ILR Application Processing Times: What to Really Expect
Official and real-world ILR processing times for standard, priority, and super priority services. What affects processing speed and how to track your application.
8 min read · Updated 2026-03-10
ILR vs British Citizenship: Which Should You Apply For?
Comparing Indefinite Leave to Remain and British Citizenship — rights, costs, requirements, and which is right for your situation.
9 min read · Updated 2026-03-10
Skilled Worker to ILR: Complete 2026 Timeline
Step-by-step guide for Skilled Worker visa holders applying for ILR. Covers the 5-year qualifying period, salary requirements, absence rules, and application process.
11 min read · Updated 2026-03-10
10-Year Long Residence Route to ILR: What You Need to Know
How the 10-year continuous residence route to ILR works, including the SET(LR) form, fees, absence rules (both historic and current), and who this route is for.
9 min read · Updated 2026-03-10
ILR via the Private Life Route (SET(PL)): Complete 2026 Guide
How to apply for ILR under Appendix Private Life. Covers the adult 10-year, young adult 18-24 (half-life) and child 5-year variants, SET(PL) form, £3,226 fee, 180-day absence rule, and how the Private Life route differs from the 10-year Long Residence route.
8 min read · Updated 2026-04-19
ILR Earned Settlement Changes 2026: Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about the UK's proposed Earned Settlement reforms. How the new points-based system could change ILR qualifying periods from 5 to 10 years, who is affected, and what to do now.
15 min read · Updated 2026-03-11
Spouse Visa to ILR: Step-by-Step Guide 2026
Complete guide to getting ILR on a spouse or partner visa. Covers the 5-year route, SET(M) form, financial requirement, absence rules, English language, documents, costs, and the path to citizenship.
14 min read · Updated 2026-03-11
ILR Application Refused in 2026: Top 10 Reasons & How to Avoid Them
The most common reasons ILR applications are refused and practical steps to avoid each one. Covers absence limits, financial requirements, English language, character issues, and what to do if your application is refused.
14 min read · Updated 2026-03-11
Health and Care Worker Visa to ILR: Complete 2026 Guide
Complete guide for Health and Care Worker visa holders applying for ILR. Covers NHS surcharge exemption, lower salary thresholds, eligible roles, absence rules, required documents, costs, and the path to settlement.
14 min read · Updated 2026-03-11
ILR Application Step-by-Step Guide 2026
A complete step-by-step walkthrough of the ILR application process. Covers eligibility checks, choosing the right form, Life in the UK test, English language, documents, biometrics, fees, processing times, and what happens after you apply.
15 min read · Updated 2026-03-11
ILR Employer Letter: What to Include (With Template) 2026
What to include in your employer letter for ILR. Covers job title, salary, SOC code, CoS number, start date, template, common mistakes, and what to do if your employer refuses.
12 min read · Updated 2026-03-11
B2 English for ILR 2026: Which Test and How to Prepare
Complete guide to the English language requirement for ILR in 2026. Covers B1 vs B2 CEFR levels, the Earned Settlement B2 upgrade, approved tests (IELTS, Trinity, LanguageCert, PTE), costs, exemptions, certificate validity, preparation tips, and what happens if you fail.
13 min read · Updated 2026-03-11
Can I Travel While My ILR Application Is Being Processed? (2026)
Can you leave the UK while your ILR application is pending? Covers Section 3C leave, risks of travelling, what happens at the border, travel documents, priority services, emergency travel, and practical advice for 2026.
13 min read · Updated 2026-03-11
ILR After Divorce or Relationship Breakdown 2026
What happens to your UK visa if your relationship breaks down. Covers the DDVC/SET(DV) domestic violence route, 5-year and 10-year route implications, switching visas, impact on children, evidence requirements, costs, and legal help.
15 min read · Updated 2026-03-11
ILR for Dependants: Requirements and Timeline 2026
Complete guide to ILR for dependants in the UK. Covers who qualifies as a dependant, partner and child requirements, fees per dependant, NHS surcharge, absence rules, documents needed, and applying at the same time as the main applicant.
15 min read · Updated 2026-03-11
How to Count Absence Days for ILR 2026 (With Examples)
Learn exactly how the Home Office counts absence days for ILR. Covers departure vs arrival day rules, the exclusive-exclusive method, worked examples with specific dates, same-day trips, late entry gaps, and common counting mistakes.
12 min read · Updated 2026-03-11
ILR Exceptional Circumstances: When Absence Rules Can Be Waived (2026)
When can the Home Office waive the ILR 180-day absence rule? Covers exceptional circumstances, caseworker discretion, COVID-19 Exceptional Assurance, evidence requirements, and how to present your case.
14 min read · Updated 2026-03-11
ILR Salary Requirement for Skilled Workers 2026
Complete guide to the ILR salary requirement for Skilled Worker visa holders in 2026. Covers the £38,700 general threshold, going rates by SOC code, transitional arrangements, what counts as salary, part-time rules, Health & Care Worker thresholds, and Earned Settlement salary points.
14 min read · Updated 2026-03-11
Global Talent Visa to ILR: 3-Year Fast Track Guide 2026
Complete guide to getting ILR on the Global Talent visa. Covers the 3-year fast track for exceptional talent, the 5-year route for exceptional promise, endorsing bodies, absence rules, documents, costs, and the path to citizenship.
14 min read · Updated 2026-03-11
ILR Documents Required: Complete 2026 Checklist
Complete list of documents required for an indefinite leave to remain application. Covers identity, residence, employment, absence history, English language, and route-specific documents.
12 min read · Updated 2026-03-16
ILR BRP Card and eVisa: Complete 2026 Guide
Everything you need to know about your ILR BRP card and eVisa. Covers the 2025 transition from BRP to digital eVisa, how to access your status, proving right to work and rent, and what to do if your BRP shows a 2024 expiry date.
10 min read · Updated 2026-03-16
How to Track Your ILR Application Status 2026
Find out how to check the status of your indefinite leave to remain application. Covers UKVI processing times, when to contact UKVI, the MP surgery route, and what to do while waiting for a decision.
9 min read · Updated 2026-03-16
ILR Requirements and Documents Checklist 2025 - What You Need
Complete checklist of documents required for indefinite leave to remain. Requirements by visa route - skilled worker, spouse, 10-year route. Updated 2025.
18 min read · Updated 2026-03-16
Tier 2 Visa to ILR: Does Your Time Count? (2026 Guide)
If you came to the UK on a Tier 2 (General) visa, your time counts toward indefinite leave to remain. This guide covers how Tier 2 time is calculated, the salary requirement at ILR, and common issues for Tier 2 to Skilled Worker applicants.
11 min read · Updated 2026-03-16
About These Guides
This is your complete reference for indefinite leave to remain in the UK. Our guides cover every major aspect of the settlement journey: eligibility requirements, qualifying periods, absence rules, the English language requirement, good character criteria, the application process, fees, and what happens after you are granted indefinite leave to remain.
Whether you are years away from qualifying for indefinite leave to remain or ready to submit your application, you will find plain-English guidance here. We cover the most common visa routes to indefinite leave to remain including the Skilled Worker route, family and partner visas, the UK Ancestry route, and the Global Talent route. We also explain how indefinite leave to remain compares to settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, and what comes next if you want to apply for British citizenship.
All guides are free and regularly updated to reflect the latest Home Office guidance and immigration rules. If something has changed, we aim to reflect it here as quickly as possible so you can rely on what you read.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about indefinite leave to remain and UK settlement.
What is indefinite leave to remain (ILR)?
Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) is a form of UK settlement that gives you the right to live and work in the United Kingdom without any immigration time limit. Once granted, indefinite leave to remain means you are no longer subject to immigration control. It is the step before British citizenship and is required to naturalise as a British citizen.
How long does it take to qualify for ILR?
The qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain depends on your visa route. Most skilled worker and family visa holders must complete five continuous years of lawful residence in the UK before they can apply for indefinite leave to remain. Some routes, such as the Innovator Founder visa, allow you to apply for indefinite leave to remain after three years. The UK Ancestry route also has a five-year qualifying period.
What are the main routes to indefinite leave to remain?
There are several routes to indefinite leave to remain in the UK. The most common include the Skilled Worker route (formerly Tier 2), the family and partner routes, the UK Ancestry route, the Global Talent route, and the Investor route. Each route to indefinite leave to remain has different eligibility requirements, qualifying periods, and absence allowances. Our guides cover each route in detail so you can understand which path applies to your situation.
Can I lose my indefinite leave to remain status?
Yes, it is possible to lose your indefinite leave to remain status. The most common reason is spending two or more continuous years outside the United Kingdom, which can cause indefinite leave to remain to lapse. Indefinite leave to remain can also be revoked if it was obtained by deception, or if you are subject to a deportation order. Applying for British citizenship is the most reliable way to protect your settlement rights, as citizenship cannot lapse due to time spent abroad.
What is the difference between ILR and settled status?
Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and settled status are both forms of UK settlement, but they apply to different groups of people. Indefinite leave to remain is granted to non-EEA nationals who qualify through standard immigration routes such as the Skilled Worker or family visas. Settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme was created specifically for EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals who were resident in the UK before 31 December 2020. Both indefinite leave to remain and settled status give you the right to live and work in the UK indefinitely, though the application processes and evidence requirements differ.