How to Get ILR in the UK: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Overview: getting Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK

Indefinite leave to remain is the UK's form of permanent residency. Once you have it, you can live and work in the UK without any visa restrictions, sponsor requirements, or time limits. It is the gateway to British citizenship.

Getting indefinite leave to remain involves three main things: living in the UK on a qualifying visa for a set period, meeting certain requirements along the way, and submitting an application to the Home Office. This guide walks through the entire process from start to finish, in plain language, so you know exactly what to expect.

If you are just starting out and wondering how to get ILR, this is the right place to begin. If you want more detail on a specific step, each section links to a deeper guide.

Step 1: check which visa route you are on

The first step is to confirm that your current visa can lead to indefinite leave to remain. Not every UK visa does. Student visas and Visitor visas do not lead to ILR directly. You must be on a qualifying route.

Here are the main routes that do lead to indefinite leave to remain, along with the standard qualifying period for each:

If you are on a Student visa or a Visitor visa, these do not lead to indefinite leave to remain directly. You would need to switch to a qualifying route first. The long residence route is available if you have been on any combination of lawful visas for 10 continuous years, which can include time on a Student visa.

Once you know your route, the qualifying period tells you how long you need to live in the UK before you can apply for ILR. Your clock starts from the date your qualifying visa began, not from when you first arrived in the UK.

Step 2: meet the residence requirement

The most important requirement for indefinite leave to remain is continuous residence. You must live in the UK throughout your qualifying period without breaking your continuous stay.

The 180-day absence rule

You are allowed to travel outside the UK, but there is a limit. For most routes, you must not be absent from the UK for more than 180 days in any rolling 12-month period during your qualifying period. This is sometimes called the 180-day rule.

The rolling 12-month window is important. The Home Office does not just check each calendar year in isolation. It considers every possible 12-month window across your entire qualifying period. A cluster of trips, for example two weeks in December and three weeks in January of the following year, can both fall inside the same 12-month window and push your total over the limit.

The best advice is simple: start tracking every trip from day one. You need exact departure and return dates for every journey outside the UK, going back to the start of your qualifying period. If you wait until Year 4 to reconstruct your travel history, it becomes very difficult.

Use the ILR Absence Calculator to check your absence days across every rolling window automatically. For a full explanation of how the rule works, see our guide to ILR absence rules.

Step 3: pass the Life in the UK test

Before you can apply for indefinite leave to remain, you must pass the official Life in the UK test. This is a requirement for almost everyone applying for ILR or British citizenship.

What the test involves

The Life in the UK test is a computer-based multiple-choice test taken at an approved test centre. It has 24 questions and a 75% pass mark, meaning you need to answer at least 18 questions correctly. The test costs £50 per attempt. Most people pass on the first try with adequate preparation, but there is no limit on the number of attempts if needed.

The test covers topics such as British history and traditions, the values and principles of the UK, the legal system, government, and everyday life in the UK. The official study handbook is Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents, available in bookshops and online.

When to take the test

You can take the Life in the UK test at any point before your ILR application. Most people find Year 4 is the ideal time, as it gives you a full year to prepare without leaving it to the last minute. Test centres can have waiting lists, so book early.

Once you pass, keep the pass notification email or letter safe. You will need the unique reference number when you submit your ILR application.

For study resources and practice questions, visit our Life in UK Practice Quiz. For a full guide on what to study and how to prepare, see our Life in the UK test guide.

Step 4: meet the English language requirement

Most people applying for indefinite leave to remain need to demonstrate English language ability. The level required depends on your visa route.

• Work routes (Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Global Talent): You need English at CEFR level B1 or above. If you already met this requirement when you were granted your original visa, you have already satisfied it for ILR. You do not need to take a new test.
• Family routes (Spouse or Partner visa): The requirement builds up gradually. You need A1 for your initial entry visa, A2 for your first extension, and B1 for the ILR application.

Exemptions

You are exempt from the English language requirement if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country, such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, or several others. You may also be exempt if you are aged 65 or over, or if a long-term physical or mental health condition makes it impossible for you to meet the requirement.

Proving your English level

Accepted evidence includes a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider such as IELTS, Trinity College London, LanguageCert, or Pearson PTE. A degree taught and assessed in English also counts, as does a GCSE or A-level in English from a UK school.

For full details on the English language requirement for indefinite leave to remain, including the impact of the proposed Earned Settlement reforms, see our guide to English language for ILR.

Step 5: gather your documents

One of the most practical things you can do to prepare for your indefinite leave to remain application is to start gathering documents early. Missing or incomplete evidence is a common reason for delays and refusals.

Core documents you will need

• Current passport: Must be valid at the time of your application. If your passport is close to expiry, renew it well in advance. Passport renewals from overseas embassies can take 4-8 weeks or longer.
• Biometric Residence Permit (BRP): Your current BRP, which confirms your visa status. You will surrender this and receive a new one (or a digital status) once ILR is granted.
• Employer letter (work routes): A letter from your employer confirming your current job title, salary, SOC code, Certificate of Sponsorship number, and start date. This needs to be on company headed paper and signed by an authorised person.
• Payslips and P60s: For work routes, payslips covering recent months and P60 certificates for each tax year in your qualifying period. These prove continuous employment and income.
• Life in the UK pass certificate: The unique reference number from your test pass notification.
• English language evidence: Your SELT certificate, degree certificate, or other approved evidence. If this was already accepted for your original visa, you may not need to provide it again, but it is worth having it ready.
• Travel history evidence: Passport stamps covering your qualifying period, or alternative evidence such as flight bookings and boarding passes if you used eGates. The Home Office needs to verify your absences.

For a full personalised document checklist based on your visa route, use our ILR Document Checklist. Start gathering documents at least six months before you plan to apply.

Step 6: submit your ILR application

When you are eligible and your documents are ready, you apply for indefinite leave to remain online through GOV.UK. The process involves several steps.

Choose the right application form

The application form depends on your visa route. The main forms are:

• SET(O): For work routes, including Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, and Ancestry.
• SET(M): For family routes, including spouse or partner visas.
• SET(LR): For the 10-year long residence route.

Complete the online application

The online application asks for your personal details, travel history, employment history, English language evidence, and information about your criminal record. Take your time and answer every question accurately. You will also need to pay the application fee at this stage.

Book your biometrics appointment

After submitting your application and paying the fee, you book a biometrics appointment at a UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services) centre. At this appointment, your fingerprints and a photograph are taken. You also upload or bring your supporting documents.

For more detail on the complete application process, including a step-by-step walkthrough of the online form, see our ILR application guide.

Step 7: attend biometrics and wait for a decision

After submitting your application, you attend your biometrics appointment at a UKVCAS centre. These centres are located in cities across the UK. You can choose your preferred centre and time slot when booking. Some premium locations offer evening and weekend appointments for an additional fee.

Processing times

Once your biometrics are submitted, the Home Office reviews your application. Processing times for indefinite leave to remain vary depending on the service level you choose:

• Standard processing: Typically 6-8 weeks
• Priority service: Decision within 5 working days (additional fee of £500)
• Super priority service: Decision by the end of the next working day (additional fee of £800)

Processing times can vary depending on how complex your case is and how busy the Home Office is. During busy periods, standard processing may take longer than 8 weeks.

What happens if your application is refused?

If your application for indefinite leave to remain is refused, you will receive a decision letter explaining the reasons. Common reasons for refusal include exceeding the 180-day absence limit, not meeting the salary requirement for work routes, missing documents, or character concerns. In many cases, you can request an administrative review if you believe the decision was wrong. For more information, see our guide on ILR application refusals.

How much does it cost to get ILR?

Getting indefinite leave to remain involves several fees. Here is a summary of the main costs to budget for:

For a standard self-filed application, you are looking at roughly £2,955 in mandatory fees (application + biometrics + Life in UK test). With priority processing and a solicitor, the total can rise to £5,000 or more.

For a full breakdown including how costs add up across your qualifying period (including the Immigration Health Surcharge you pay during your visa extensions), see our ILR costs guide. You can also use the UK Visa Cost Calculator to estimate your total cost based on your circumstances.

Common mistakes to avoid

Many indefinite leave to remain applications are refused or delayed due to avoidable errors. Here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:

• Exceeding the 180-day absence limit: The most common reason for ILR refusal. Track every trip from your very first day on the qualifying visa. Do not assume you are within the limit without checking.
• Not tracking travel at all: Trying to reconstruct 5 years of travel history from memory is extremely difficult. Keep a log of every trip as you go.
• Applying too early: You can apply up to 28 days before your qualifying period ends, but not earlier. Check your exact eligibility date before submitting.
• Missing documents: Incomplete applications cause delays and can lead to refusal. Use a document checklist and start gathering evidence months in advance.
• Salary dropping below the threshold (work routes): If you took a pay cut, moved to part-time, or if salary thresholds were raised, your salary may no longer qualify. Check this well before you apply.
• Letting your passport expire: You need a valid passport to apply for indefinite leave to remain. Renew it early if it is due to expire around the time you plan to apply.

How ILR Tracker helps

Getting indefinite leave to remain takes years of careful preparation. ILR Tracker is designed to take the complexity out of that process, so you always know where you stand.

Here are the free tools to help you get started:

• ILR Eligibility Calculator: enter your visa start date and find out exactly when you become eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain, including the 28-day early application window.
• ILR Absence Calculator: log your trips and automatically check every rolling 12-month window across your qualifying period. See how many safe travel days you have left before your next trip.
• ILR Document Checklist: see exactly which documents you need based on your visa route, and track your progress in gathering them.
• UK Visa Cost Calculator: estimate the total cost of your indefinite leave to remain application, including optional priority services and dependant fees.

The sooner you start tracking, the better placed you will be when application day arrives. You can use all tools without creating an account.