# ILR Tracker

> ILR Tracker (ilrtracker.com) is a free UK immigration platform that helps visa holders track their path to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and British Citizenship. It provides calculators, absence trackers, guides, and application planning tools for all major visa routes.

Key facts about UK immigration (current as of April 2026):

- ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) is the UK equivalent of permanent residency
- Most work visas (Skilled Worker, Health & Care Worker) require 5 years continuous residence for ILR
- Maximum 180 days absence in any rolling 12-month period for ILR eligibility
- ILR application can be submitted 28 days before qualifying period ends
- Current ILR application fee: £3,226 for all routes (SET(O), SET(M), SET(LR), SET(PL))
- Priority processing: +£500 (5 working days); Super priority: +£1,000 (next working day)
- NHS Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year (adult), £776 (child/student)
- British Citizenship (naturalisation) fee: £1,709 + £130 ceremony = £1,839 total
- Naturalisation requires max 450 days absence over 5 years and max 90 days in final year
- Life in the UK test costs £50 per attempt, pass mark 75% (18/24 questions)
- Earned Settlement reforms proposed for 2026: points-based system with 3-10 year qualifying periods

## Free Tools

- [ILR Eligibility Calculator](https://ilrtracker.com/tools/ilr-eligibility-calculator): Calculate your earliest ILR application date based on visa start date and route
- [ILR Absence Calculator](https://ilrtracker.com/tools/ilr-absence-calculator): Check 180-day absence compliance across every rolling 12-month window
- [UK Visa Cost Calculator](https://ilrtracker.com/tools/uk-visa-cost-calculator): Estimate total visa and ILR costs including NHS surcharge and fees
- [Naturalisation Calculator](https://ilrtracker.com/tools/naturalisation-calculator): Check British citizenship eligibility based on absence history and ILR date
- [Processing Times Tracker](https://ilrtracker.com/tools/processing-times): View official ILR processing times and simulate your timeline
- [Life in the UK Practice Quiz](https://ilrtracker.com/tools/life-in-uk-practice): Free practice questions from the official handbook (1000 questions)
- [ILR Document Checklist](https://ilrtracker.com/tools/ilr-checklist): Interactive checklist of documents required for ILR by visa route
- [NHS Surcharge Calculator](https://ilrtracker.com/tools/nhs-surcharge-calculator): Calculate NHS Immigration Health Surcharge for your visa duration
- [ILR Reform Checker](https://ilrtracker.com/tools/ilr-reform-checker): Check how proposed earned settlement reforms affect your visa route
- [Earned Settlement Calculator](https://ilrtracker.com/tools/earned-settlement-calculator): Estimate your ILR timeline under proposed points-based reforms
- [Skilled Worker Points Calculator](https://ilrtracker.com/tools/skilled-worker-points-calculator): Calculate earned settlement points based on salary, English, and qualifications

## Guides — ILR Basics

- [What is ILR?](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/what-is-ilr): Complete guide to Indefinite Leave to Remain — meaning, eligibility, routes, costs
- [How to Get ILR](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/how-to-get-ilr): Step-by-step guide to applying for ILR in the UK
- [ILR Rules](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-rules): All ILR rules including continuous residence, absence limits, and good character
- [ILR Application Process](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-application-process): From form submission to biometrics to decision
- [ILR Application Guide](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-application-guide): Comprehensive guide to preparing and submitting your ILR application
- [UK Permanent Residency](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/uk-permanent-residency): Overview of permanent residency in the UK and how to obtain it

## Guides — Visa Routes to ILR

- [Skilled Worker to ILR](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/skilled-worker-to-ilr): Timeline, salary requirements, and process for Skilled Worker visa holders
- [ILR for Skilled Workers](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-for-skilled-workers): Detailed eligibility and requirements for the Skilled Worker route
- [Spouse Visa to ILR](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/spouse-visa-to-ilr): Family route to ILR including costs, income requirement, and SET(M) process
- [Health & Care Worker to ILR](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/health-care-worker-to-ilr): ILR guide for NHS and social care workers
- [Global Talent to ILR](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/global-talent-to-ilr): 3-year and 5-year routes for endorsed talent
- [10-Year Long Residence Route](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-10-year-route): ILR via 10 years continuous lawful residence
- [Long Residence Route](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/long-residence-route): Detailed guide to the SET(LR) long residence application (10 years across mixed visas)
- [Private Life Route (SET(PL))](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-via-private-life): Appendix Private Life — adult 10-year, young adult 18–24 (half-life), child 5-year variants. Distinct from SET(LR).
- [BN(O) Visa to ILR](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/bno-visa-to-ilr): 5-year settlement route for Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa holders; first cohort eligible from 2026
- [UK Ancestry Visa to ILR](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/uk-ancestry-visa-to-ilr): 5-year settlement route for Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born grandparent; includes the work requirement
- [Tier 2 to ILR](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/tier-2-to-ilr): Legacy Tier 2 visa holders transitioning to ILR

## Guides — Costs, Fees & Processing

- [ILR Costs](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-costs): Full fee breakdown — application fee, biometrics, tests, priority, and dependants
- [ILR Fees and Processing Times](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-fees-and-processing-times): Combined guide to all fees and current processing timeframes
- [ILR Processing Times](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-processing-times): Standard, priority, and super priority processing explained
- [ILR Priority Service](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-priority-service): When priority or super priority processing is worth the cost
- [ILR Salary Requirement](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-salary-requirement): £38,700 threshold, going rates, and exemptions

## Guides — Requirements & Documents

- [ILR Absence Rules](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-absence-rules): The 180-day rule explained with examples and edge cases
- [Counting Absence Days](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/counting-absence-days): How departure and return days are counted for ILR
- [ILR Documents Required](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-documents-required): Documents needed for ILR by visa route
- [ILR Requirements Checklist](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-requirements-documents-checklist): Interactive checklist of all ILR requirements
- [ILR English Requirements](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-english-requirements): CEFR B1 requirement, approved tests, and exemptions
- [B2 English for ILR](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/b2-english-for-ilr): Why B2 English matters for earned settlement points
- [ILR Good Character](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-good-character): Good character requirement including criminal record and tax compliance
- [ILR Employer Letter](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-employer-letter): What your employer letter must contain for ILR
- [ILR Biometrics](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-biometrics): UKVCAS biometrics appointment process and what to expect
- [Life in the UK Test](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/life-in-uk-test): Test format, study tips, booking, and what to expect on the day

## Guides — Special Situations

- [ILR for Dependants](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-for-dependants): Applying for ILR as a dependant — fees, timing, and requirements
- [ILR Dependent Visa](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-dependent-visa): Guide for dependants on work and family visa routes
- [Travel During ILR Application](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/travel-during-ilr-application): Can you travel while your ILR application is pending?
- [Section 3C Leave](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/section-3c-leave): Your rights while waiting for an ILR decision after visa expiry
- [ILR After Divorce](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-after-divorce): Options if your relationship ends before ILR
- [ILR Exceptional Circumstances](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-exceptional-circumstances): Discretionary leave and exceeding absence limits
- [ILR Application Refused](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-application-refused): What happens if your ILR is refused and what to do next
- [Losing ILR](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/losing-ilr): How ILR can be lost through absence, deportation, or revocation
- [ILR Track Application](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-track-application): How to track the status of your ILR application
- [ILR BRP Card](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-brp-card): Biometric Residence Permit and the transition to eVisas

## Guides — Citizenship & Reforms

- [Citizenship After ILR](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/citizenship-after-ilr): Path from ILR to British citizenship via naturalisation
- [Naturalisation Requirements](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/naturalisation-requirements): Full requirements for British citizenship including absence limits
- [ILR vs Citizenship](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-vs-citizenship): Comparing permanent residency and British citizenship — rights, costs, and process
- [ILR Visa-Free Countries](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-visa-free-countries): Travel rights with ILR vs British citizenship
- [Earned Settlement Changes](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/earned-settlement-changes): Proposed 2026 reforms to the ILR qualifying system
- [ILR New Rules for Skilled Workers](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-new-rules-skilled-worker): How earned settlement affects Skilled Worker visa holders
- [ILR News 2026](https://ilrtracker.com/guides/ilr-news-2026): Latest ILR rule changes, fee updates, and policy announcements