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ILR Calculator
Calculate your ILR eligibility date and check your 180-day absence limit. Free tools for UK visa holders on the path to Indefinite Leave to Remain.
ILR Eligibility Calculator
Enter your visa details to find your earliest ILR application date. Supports Skilled Worker, Spouse, Global Talent, Health & Care Worker, and more.
ILR Eligibility Calculator
Get your eligibility dates in 60 seconds
Most work visas (Skilled Worker, Health & Care) require 5 years. Spouse/partner routes may require 5 years. Innovator Founder requires 3 years. Long residence (10 yrs mixed visas, SET(LR)) and Private Life Adult (SET(PL)) require 10 years. Private Life Young Adult (18–24, half-life rule) and Private Life Child routes require 5 years.
If you were already in the UK, use your visa start date.
ILR Absence Calculator
Check whether your travel history meets the 180-day absence rule. Enter your trips and see a rolling 12-month breakdown with risk assessment.
ILR Absence Calculator
Check your 180-day absence compliance
Visa Details
If same as visa start, leave as-is.
Trips Outside the UK
ILR Qualifying Periods by Visa Route
How long you need to wait before you can use this ILR calculator to apply depends on your visa type.
| Visa Route | Qualifying Period | Application Form |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | 5 years | SET(O) |
| Health & Care Worker | 5 years | SET(O) |
| Global Talent | 3 or 5 years | SET(O) |
| Spouse / Partner | 5 years | SET(M) |
| Innovator Founder | 3 years | SET(O) |
| Long Residence | 10 years | SET(LR) |
Source: UK Visas and Immigration. Rules current as of 2026.
More Free UK Immigration Calculators
Everything you need to plan your path to ILR and British Citizenship.
ILR Absence Calculator
Check your rolling 12-month absence totals against the 180-day rule.
Naturalisation Calculator
Find out when you can apply for British Citizenship after ILR.
UK Visa Cost Calculator
Total cost of ILR and citizenship: fees, NHS surcharge, biometrics.
Earned Settlement Calculator
Calculate your ILR date under the proposed 2026 Earned Settlement rules.
ILR Reform Checker
Find out if and how the Earned Settlement reforms affect your timeline.
ILR Application Checklist
Complete document checklist for your SET(O) or SET(M) application.
NHS Surcharge Calculator
Calculate the total Immigration Health Surcharge for your visa renewal.
Processing Times
Community-sourced ILR and visa processing times data.
What is ILR? A Quick Guide
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also called settlement, is the permanent right to live and work in the UK without any immigration restrictions. Once you hold ILR, you no longer need a visa sponsor, can switch jobs freely, and are no longer subject to the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
Most UK visa holders become eligible for ILR after 5 continuous years of lawful residence. The exact qualifying period depends on your visa route: Global Talent and Innovator Founder holders may qualify in 3 years, while Long Residence applicants need 10 years on any combination of visas.
The two key ILR rules to track
1. Qualifying period: You must have held a qualifying visa continuously for the required number of years. Use the ILR Eligibility Calculator above to find your earliest application date.
2. The 180-day absence rule: You must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period during your qualifying residence. This is checked using a continuous rolling window, not a calendar year. Use the ILR Absence Calculator above to check your travel history.
After ILR: British Citizenship
After holding ILR for 12 months, most people become eligible to apply for British Naturalisation, which gives you a British passport, full voting rights, and the right to hold public office. Use the Naturalisation Calculator to see your citizenship eligibility date.
2026 Earned Settlement changes
The UK Government has proposed Earned Settlement reforms that would extend the qualifying period from 5 to 10 years for most routes. Not all visa holders are affected equally; transitional rules apply depending on your visa start date and route. Use the ILR Reform Checker to find out how the changes affect your timeline.
How the ILR Calculator Works
This ILR calculator uses the same rules applied by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) when assessing settlement applications. Understanding the logic behind the calculation helps you plan your application with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Identify your visa start date
Your qualifying period begins on the date your first leave was granted in the qualifying route, not the date you entered the UK. You can find this date on your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card or your original entry clearance vignette in your passport. If you have switched between qualifying visa categories, the calculator will use the start of your continuous lawful residence.
Select your visa route
Different visa routes have different qualifying periods. Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, and Spouse visa holders need 5 years. Global Talent and Innovator Founder holders may qualify in 3 years. The Long Residence route requires 10 continuous years of lawful UK residence across any combination of visa types. The calculator applies the correct qualifying period based on the route you select.
Calculate the qualifying date
The calculator adds the required qualifying period to your visa start date to produce your ILR qualifying date. This is the date on which your continuous residence requirement is fully met. Most applicants are eligible to submit their ILR application up to 28 days before this date, so the calculator also shows your earliest possible application date. Submitting within this 28-day window means your ILR, if approved, will be backdated to your qualifying date.
Check your absence record
The second calculator on this page analyses every trip you have taken during your qualifying period and checks whether any rolling 12-month window contains more than 180 days of absence. It shows a colour-coded risk assessment for each year of your qualifying period, so you can immediately spot any problem periods before you apply. You should also review the full ILR requirements and documents checklist to make sure your supporting evidence is complete.
Plan your application
Once you know your eligibility date and have confirmed your absences are within the limit, you can begin gathering your documents and booking your biometrics appointment. ILR applications are submitted online through the UKVI portal. The current application fee for most routes is set by the Home Office and is subject to change. See our ILR fees and processing times guide for the latest fee schedule and typical decision timescales.
Understanding the 28-Day Rule for ILR Applications
One of the most misunderstood aspects of ILR applications is the 28-day early submission window. UK immigration rules allow most applicants to submit their ILR application up to 28 calendar days before their qualifying period is technically complete. This means you do not have to wait until the exact anniversary date of your visa start date.
For example, if your 5-year qualifying date falls on 15 October 2026, you could submit your ILR application as early as 17 September 2026. If your application is approved before 15 October, UKVI will typically backdate your ILR to your qualifying date rather than the earlier submission date. This prevents any gap in your lawful leave if your current visa expires before your qualifying date is reached.
Why the 28-day window matters
ILR applications under the standard service can take several weeks to process. If you wait until your exact qualifying date to apply and your current leave expires shortly after, you could find yourself without valid leave while waiting for a decision. Submitting within the 28-day window while you still hold valid leave means your lawful status is maintained throughout.
The 28-day rule also applies to Skilled Worker visa renewals and other leave extensions, but the mechanics are slightly different for ILR. The ILR Eligibility Calculator on this page automatically calculates your 28-day early submission date so you know the exact window in which to apply.
What happens if you miss the window
If you submit your ILR application more than 28 days before your qualifying date, UKVI will typically reject the application as premature. You would need to resubmit closer to your qualifying date and pay the application fee again. Conversely, if your current leave has already expired, you may face additional scrutiny or be required to apply under a different provision. Always check your qualifying date using the calculator before preparing your application.
For a full breakdown of documents you need to prepare before your ILR application, see the ILR requirements and documents checklist. For current application fees and how long you can expect to wait for a decision, visit our ILR fees and processing times guide.
Continuous Residence Requirements for ILR
Continuous residence is the foundation of every ILR application. It means that throughout your qualifying period, you must have held lawful leave without significant gaps and must not have exceeded the permitted absence limits. UKVI will scrutinise your entire qualifying period, not just the most recent year, so a single problem in year two of a five-year qualifying period could jeopardise your application.
The 180-day absence limit in detail
The most frequently misunderstood part of the continuous residence requirement is the 180-day absence rule. The rule states that you must not have been absent from the UK for more than 180 days in any rolling 12-month period during your qualifying residence.
Critically, this is a rolling 12-month window, not a fixed calendar year or visa year. UKVI will check every possible 12-month stretch within your qualifying period, starting from any day. This means that if you took 100 days abroad between January and June, and then another 90 days abroad between August and December, you could exceed 180 days in the 12-month window running from January to December, even though neither individual block of travel looks problematic in isolation.
The ILR Absence Calculator on this page performs exactly this analysis: it checks every rolling 12-month window within your entire qualifying period and flags any breach. It also shows amber warnings when you are approaching the 180-day threshold, giving you time to adjust your travel plans before you apply.
What breaks continuous residence
Continuous residence can be broken by several different events, not just excessive absences. The main risks are:
- 1.
Overstaying your visa. If your leave expires before you renew it, there is a gap in your lawful residence. Even a single day of overstay can, in principle, break continuity. Most applicants rely on Section 3C leave, which automatically extends your leave while a timely renewal application is pending.
- 2.
Exceeding 180 days of absence in a rolling 12-month window. As explained above, this is the most common reason ILR applications are refused or delayed.
- 3.
Deportation, removal, or a previous breach of immigration conditions. Any period spent in the UK unlawfully does not count towards your qualifying residence and may break continuity.
- 4.
Switching to a non-qualifying visa category. If you move from a Skilled Worker visa to a Student visa and then back, the Student visa period may not count towards your ILR qualifying period on the Skilled Worker route, depending on the rules applicable to your route and when the switch happened.
Exceptional circumstances and discretion
In limited circumstances, UKVI may exercise discretion and accept an ILR application despite a break in continuous residence or an excess of absences. This typically applies where the absence or gap was caused by a serious illness, a family emergency, or another exceptional compassionate circumstance entirely outside the applicant's control. However, there is no guarantee that discretion will be exercised, and any such application carries significant risk. You should seek advice from a qualified immigration solicitor if your record is not clean.
To make sure your application is supported by the correct documents, review the complete ILR requirements and documents checklist before you apply.
5-Year Route vs 10-Year Long Residence Route
Most UK visa holders reach ILR through a specific visa route such as Skilled Worker or Spouse, which typically requires 5 continuous years on that route. However, there is a second pathway available to almost anyone who has lived lawfully in the UK for 10 years: the Long Residence route. Understanding the difference helps you choose the most efficient path to settlement.
5-Year Route
- Available on Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Spouse, Global Talent, and other work routes
- Requires 5 continuous years on a qualifying visa category
- Faster path to settlement and ultimately British Citizenship
- 180-day absence limit applies in any rolling 12-month period
10-Year Long Residence Route
- Open to anyone with 10 years of continuous lawful residence, regardless of visa type
- Useful for people who have held multiple visa types (e.g. Student, then Skilled Worker)
- Longer qualifying period but more flexible in terms of visa route combinations
- 180-day absence limit applies across the full 10-year period
For most people who hold a Skilled Worker or similar sponsored work visa, the 5-year route is the faster and more straightforward option. The 10-year route is most valuable for people who have spent some years on a Student visa or other non-sponsored routes, where those years can still count towards the 10-year total even though they would not count towards a 5-year route ILR application.
The ILR calculators on this page support both routes. Select your visa route from the dropdown and the tool will automatically apply the correct qualifying period. For a more detailed breakdown of both routes and how they interact with the proposed 2026 Earned Settlement reforms, see our dedicated ILR fees and processing times guide or explore the ILR Reform Checker.
ILR Calculator - Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ILR calculator?
An ILR calculator is a free tool that helps UK visa holders work out when they can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). You enter your visa start date and visa type, and the calculator tells you your earliest ILR application date based on your qualifying residence period - typically 5 years for most routes.
How do I calculate my ILR eligibility date?
To calculate your ILR eligibility date, you need your visa start date (from your BRP card or entry clearance vignette) and your visa route. For most Skilled Worker and Health & Care Worker visa holders, ILR requires 5 continuous years of lawful residence. You can apply 28 days before completing your qualifying period. Use the ILR Eligibility Calculator above to get your exact date instantly.
What is the 180-day absence rule for ILR?
The 180-day rule means you must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period during your qualifying residence. This is checked using a continuous rolling window, not a calendar year. If you have exceeded 180 days in any 12-month stretch, your continuous residence may be broken, potentially resetting your qualifying period.
How do I check if my absences are within the ILR limit?
Use the ILR Absence Calculator above. Enter your trips (departure and return dates) and the calculator will instantly show your rolling 12-month absence totals, flag any periods where you approached or exceeded the 180-day limit, and give you a green, amber, or red risk assessment.
Which visa routes can use this ILR calculator?
The calculators support the most common routes to ILR in the UK: Skilled Worker (formerly Tier 2 General), Health and Care Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, Spouse and Partner visas, Long Residence (10-year route), Tier 1 Investor, and more. Each route has different qualifying periods: 2, 3, 5, or 10 years.
Is this ILR calculator free?
Yes, both the ILR Eligibility Calculator and the ILR Absence Calculator are completely free to use with no signup required. For more advanced features, like saving your trip history, setting deadline reminders, tracking your entire ILR journey, and getting a downloadable absence report, you can create a free account.
What is the difference between ILR and British Citizenship?
ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) grants you the permanent right to live and work in the UK without immigration restrictions. It is not citizenship. After holding ILR for 12 months, most people become eligible to apply for British Naturalisation, which gives you a British passport and full citizenship rights. Use the Naturalisation Calculator to see your citizenship eligibility date.
What happens if I overstay or travel too much before my ILR application?
If you exceed 180 days absence in any rolling 12-month period, your continuous residence may be broken. This can push back your ILR eligibility date significantly. In very limited circumstances, the Home Office may accept exceptional or compassionate reasons, but there is no guarantee. The safest approach is to track your absences carefully and plan trips to stay within the limit.
Can I use this as a permanent residency calculator for the UK?
Yes. In UK immigration law, ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) is the equivalent of permanent residency. This ILR calculator functions as a permanent residency calculator for the UK: it calculates your eligibility date for settlement and checks whether your absence history meets the continuous residence rules. If you are on a Skilled Worker, Spouse, Global Talent, or any other qualifying visa route, this tool will show your earliest date to apply for UK permanent residence.
How do I calculate ILR on the 10-year long residence route?
The 10-year long residence route allows people who have lived lawfully in the UK for a continuous period of 10 years to apply for ILR, regardless of which visa types they held during that time. To use this ILR calculator for the 10-year route, select 'Long Residence' as your visa type and enter the start date of your continuous lawful residence. The calculator will confirm your 10-year qualifying date. The absence limit for the long residence route is also 180 days in any rolling 12-month period. Note that any gaps in lawful leave will typically break the continuity of your residence.
How do I calculate 5 years for ILR on a Skilled Worker visa?
To calculate 5 years for ILR on a Skilled Worker visa, your qualifying period starts from the date your first Skilled Worker (or Tier 2 General) leave was granted, not the date you entered the UK. Count forward exactly 5 years from that date and that is your ILR qualifying date. You can submit your application up to 28 days before that date. Use the ILR Eligibility Calculator on this page: select 'Skilled Worker' and enter your visa start date, and it will calculate your exact 5-year ILR date automatically. Make sure your continuous residence has not been broken by excessive absences during this period.
What is an ILR continuous residence calculator?
An ILR continuous residence calculator is a tool that checks whether your UK residence qualifies as 'continuous' under Home Office rules. Continuous residence means you have held lawful leave throughout your qualifying period without significant gaps or overstays, and have not exceeded the 180-day absence limit in any rolling 12-month window. The ILR Absence Calculator on this page acts as a continuous residence calculator: it analyses your travel history, identifies any 12-month periods where your absences came close to or exceeded 180 days, and flags any risk to your ILR application. A clean continuous residence record is one of the most important requirements for a successful ILR application.