How to Track Your ILR Application Status 2026

Can you track your ILR application?

When you apply for indefinite leave to remain, one of the most frustrating aspects of the process is the lack of a real-time application tracker. Unlike many commercial services where you can follow a package from warehouse to doorstep, UKVI does not offer a live status tracker for indefinite leave to remain applications.

However, there are several ways to get information about where your indefinite leave to remain application stands, and understanding the processing system helps you know what to expect and when to take action. This guide explains everything you need to know about tracking and checking the status of your indefinite leave to remain application.

The most important thing to understand upfront is that for most standard indefinite leave to remain applications, the Home Office processes applications in date order. If your application is within the standard processing time and you have completed all the required steps (submission, biometrics appointment, document upload), there is generally nothing more you need to do except wait. Unnecessary contact with UKVI can slow down processing for everyone.

For context on the full application process from start to finish, see our ILR Application Process guide and our comprehensive ILR Application Guide.

What happens after you submit your ILR application

Understanding the sequence of events after you submit your indefinite leave to remain application helps you know what to expect at each stage and when you are likely to receive any communication from UKVI.

Step 1: Confirmation email

Shortly after submitting your online indefinite leave to remain application (usually within minutes), you receive an automated confirmation email from UKVI. This email confirms that your application has been received and provides your unique application reference number. Save this email and note the reference number, as you will need it for any future correspondence with UKVI about your application.

Step 2: Biometrics appointment booking

After submitting your application, you receive instructions to book a biometrics appointment through UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services). At this appointment, your fingerprints and photograph are taken and enrolled against your application. Your biometrics appointment must be completed before your indefinite leave to remain application can progress.

Biometrics appointments are typically available within a few days to a few weeks of application submission, depending on the UKVCAS centre you select. Appointments at standard UKVCAS locations are free. Enhanced service locations (city centre offices with longer hours) charge an additional fee.

For detailed information on the biometrics appointment process and what to bring, see our ILR Biometrics guide.

Step 3: Document review period

After your biometrics appointment, your application enters the review queue. At this stage, a caseworker will be assigned to your indefinite leave to remain application. The caseworker reviews your documents, checks your immigration history, and assesses whether you meet all the requirements. This is the longest stage of the process and is where most of the waiting time occurs.

Step 4: Decision notification

When a decision is made on your indefinite leave to remain application, you are notified by email. If your application is approved, you receive instructions to access your eVisa record through a UKVI account, or (for older cases) your new BRP card is dispatched to a specified address. If additional information is needed, you receive a request letter giving you a set number of days to respond.

UKVI processing time dashboard

The most reliable official source of information about where your indefinite leave to remain application stands is the UKVI processing times dashboard on GOV.UK. This is a live dashboard that shows the current processing position for each type of immigration application.

How to find it

Go to GOV.UK and search for "UK Visa processing times" or "check UK visa processing times." You will find an official page that shows current processing positions by application category. Look for the "Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain)" or "Skilled Worker settlement" category, depending on your route.

What it shows

The processing time dashboard shows the date range of applications currently being processed and decided. For example, it may show that the Home Office is currently deciding applications submitted in a particular month. If your application was submitted before that date, your application is within the current processing window and should be decided soon.

The dashboard does not show individual application status. It is a position indicator for the whole queue, not a tracker for your specific indefinite leave to remain case.

How to interpret "within service standard"

The Home Office publishes service standards for each processing tier. "Within service standard" means the Home Office is meeting its published processing time targets:

• Standard: The service standard is typically 6 months from the date of biometrics appointment.
• Priority: 5 working days from the date of the biometrics appointment (at the time of writing).
• Super priority: By the end of the next working day after the biometrics appointment.

If the dashboard shows processing is "within service standard," it means applications submitted at that time are expected to be decided within the published timeframe. If you are outside the service standard window, it means your application is taking longer than the published target, which is when contacting UKVI may be appropriate.

When to contact UKVI about your ILR application

One of the most important things to understand about tracking your indefinite leave to remain application is that there are specific thresholds for when contacting UKVI is appropriate. Contacting them before these thresholds is likely to be unproductive and may slow processing.

Standard processing: after 6 months

For standard indefinite leave to remain applications, UKVI asks that you do not contact them until your application has been pending for more than 6 months from the date of your biometrics appointment. Before this point, UKVI will not provide a status update because the application is simply in the normal processing queue and no extraordinary action is warranted.

Priority processing: after 10 working days

If you paid for priority processing (5 working days), UKVI asks that you wait at least 10 working days before contacting them if you have not received a decision. This allows for some additional buffer beyond the stated service standard before escalating.

Super priority processing: same day or next working day

For super priority applications (decision by end of next working day after biometrics), if you do not receive a decision by the end of that working day, you can contact UKVI immediately. Super priority is the highest tier and you are entitled to prompt resolution.

Exceptional circumstances at any point

If you have a genuine emergency requiring urgent resolution of your indefinite leave to remain application (for example, a medical emergency requiring international travel, a family bereavement requiring international travel, or an employer threatening to terminate your employment because your status is unresolved), you may contact UKVI outside the normal thresholds. However, you should be prepared to provide evidence of the urgency.

How to contact UKVI about your ILR application

When the time is right to contact UKVI about your indefinite leave to remain application, there are several channels available.

UKVI contact form (online)

The primary official channel for enquiries about immigration applications is the UKVI contact form on GOV.UK. Navigate to GOV.UK and search for "contact UKVI" to find the current form. You will need:

• Your unique application reference number (from your confirmation email)
• Your full name as it appears on your application
• Your date of birth
• Your nationality
• The date you submitted your application
• The date of your biometrics appointment
• A clear description of your enquiry

Responses to the UKVI contact form can take several days or weeks. It is not a channel for urgent enquiries.

UKVI helpline (phone)

The UKVI helpline number is 0300 790 6268. Opening hours are typically Monday to Thursday 9am to 4:45pm and Friday 9am to 4:30pm. The helpline can provide general information about your application and in some cases escalate urgent matters to caseworkers.

Be prepared for potential wait times. Have your application reference number, personal details, and a clear summary of your enquiry ready before you call. The helpline advisers can view your application status in the system and can confirm whether your application is in the queue, has been allocated to a caseworker, or requires further action from you.

UKVI webchat

UKVI offers a webchat service on the GOV.UK website for some enquiry types. Availability varies and is not always active for settlement applications. Check the current UKVI contact page on GOV.UK for webchat availability.

The MP surgery route for urgent ILR applications

Contacting your local Member of Parliament is an option of last resort for indefinite leave to remain applicants facing genuine hardship because of delays to their application. This route exists because MPs have the ability to formally write to the Home Office on behalf of their constituents and request expedited consideration of cases involving humanitarian grounds.

When the MP route is appropriate

The MP route is appropriate when:

• There is a genuine humanitarian need, such as a serious health condition requiring international travel for treatment, a family death abroad requiring urgent travel, or a situation where an unresolved application is causing genuine destitution or homelessness
• Your application has already exceeded the standard processing time and normal UKVI contact has not resolved the issue
• There is evidence of a clear administrative error on UKVI's part

When the MP route is NOT appropriate

The MP route is not appropriate as a general way to jump the queue for indefinite leave to remain applications. MPs are clear that they will not raise cases with the Home Office simply because an applicant is impatient or unhappy with a normal processing time. Using this route inappropriately wastes parliamentary resources and may not achieve the desired outcome.

How to contact your MP

Find your local MP through the Parliament website (parliament.uk/findyourmp). Most MPs hold regular constituency surgeries where local residents can speak with them directly about issues. Many also accept written requests by email or letter. When contacting your MP, be clear about: the nature of your indefinite leave to remain application, how long it has been pending, what genuine hardship the delay is causing, and what specific action you are requesting (an inquiry to UKVI, a letter of support).

Using the UKVI online service to view your application

The UKVI online service (accessed through your UKVI account on GOV.UK) allows indefinite leave to remain applicants to view some information about their application status. What is visible through the online service is limited compared to what a caseworker can see, but it can confirm whether your application is still active and in the system.

Log into your UKVI account and navigate to the section for current applications. You may see a status indicator for your indefinite leave to remain application. The available statuses are limited and do not provide detailed information about the caseworker's progress. However, if your application status changes from "submitted" or "under consideration" to something else, this is a strong indicator that a decision is imminent.

What application statuses mean

When you view your indefinite leave to remain application through the UKVI system or receive communications from UKVI, you may encounter various status descriptions. Here is what the most common ones mean.

"Under consideration"

This is the most common status for an indefinite leave to remain application during the processing period. It simply means that your application has been received and is in the queue for a caseworker to review. It does not mean there is a problem with your application or that it has been flagged for any reason. Most applications remain under consideration for several weeks to months depending on the processing tier.

"Decision made" or "Completed"

If your application status changes to "decision made" or "completed," a formal decision has been reached on your indefinite leave to remain application. You should receive an email notification shortly after this status appears. The decision could be an approval, a refusal, or a request for further information. Do not assume it is an approval just because the status has changed; wait for the official notification email.

"Further information required" or "Additional documents needed"

If UKVI needs more documents or information to process your indefinite leave to remain application, they will contact you through the portal or by email. You will typically be given a set number of working days to respond. Respond promptly and provide everything requested, as failure to respond within the deadline can lead to a refusal.

"Biometrics required"

If your biometrics have not yet been enrolled (for example, you submitted your application but have not yet attended a biometrics appointment), your status may reflect this. Book your biometrics appointment as soon as possible after submitting your indefinite leave to remain application, as the clock does not fully start for processing until biometrics are enrolled.

What to do while waiting for your ILR decision

Waiting for a decision on your indefinite leave to remain application can be stressful, particularly if you have important life events or decisions that depend on the outcome. Understanding your rights and options during the waiting period can reduce anxiety and help you plan accordingly.

Can you work while your ILR application is pending?

Yes. If your current visa is still valid when you submit your indefinite leave to remain application, you can continue to work under the conditions of your existing visa. Your right to work is tied to your existing leave, not to the outcome of the pending application.

If your existing visa expires while your indefinite leave to remain application is pending, Section 3C leave automatically extends your leave on the same conditions while the application is under consideration. This means you can continue to work as you were under your original visa conditions until a decision is made.

Section 3C leave explained

Section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971 provides that if a person makes a valid application to vary their leave before their existing leave expires, their existing leave is automatically extended on the same conditions until the application is decided or any appeal is resolved. For indefinite leave to remain applicants, this means:

• Your right to work continues on the same basis as under your original visa
• Your right to rent continues
• Your overall immigration status is maintained while the application is pending
• However, you cannot travel outside the UK and return during Section 3C leave, as Section 3C ends the moment you leave the UK

For a full explanation of Section 3C leave and its implications for indefinite leave to remain applicants, see our dedicated Section 3C Leave guide.

Can you travel while your ILR application is pending?

Whether you can travel while your indefinite leave to remain application is pending depends on the status of your existing leave:

• If your existing visa is still valid: You can technically travel and return, as you have valid leave to enter on return. However, if you travel and your visa expires while you are abroad, you may have difficulty returning.
• If you are on Section 3C leave: Do not travel. Section 3C leave ends the moment you leave the UK, and you would be returning without any valid leave. Your indefinite leave to remain application would continue but you might face significant complications at the border.

As a general rule, avoid unnecessary international travel while your indefinite leave to remain application is pending. If you must travel for a genuine emergency, seek legal advice first. See our guide on ILR Priority Service if expediting your application is an option given your circumstances.

Notify UKVI of any changes during the waiting period

If your circumstances change significantly while your indefinite leave to remain application is pending (for example, you change employer, change your home address, or experience a change in family circumstances), you should notify UKVI promptly. Failure to disclose relevant changes can lead to complications with your application or, in serious cases, be treated as a lack of good character.