Updated March 2026
UK ILR Processing Times 2026
How long does indefinite leave to remain take in 2026? See official Home Office processing times for standard, priority, and super priority services. Plus, access community-reported actual timelines from people who have already received their indefinite leave to remain decision.
Official Processing Times
These are the official Home Office processing times for indefinite leave to remain applications as published on gov.uk.
Standard Service
Up to 6 months
Included in application fee
The default processing option for indefinite leave to remain applications. The Home Office aims to process applications within 6 months, though many are decided sooner.
Priority Service
Next working day
+£500
An upgraded service that aims to deliver a decision by the next working day after your biometrics appointment. Available for most indefinite leave to remain routes.
Super Priority Service
Same day
+£800
The fastest available option. If you submit your application and attend your biometrics appointment before 11:45am, you should receive a decision by 11pm the same day.
Official times are targets, not guarantees. Actual processing times for indefinite leave to remain vary by route, individual circumstances, and application volume. See community data below for real-world timelines.
Processing Times by Application Type
Official processing times for the most common indefinite leave to remain application routes.
| Form | Route | Standard | Priority | Super Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SET(O) | Skilled Worker | Up to 6 months | Next working day | Same day |
| SET(M) | Spouse / Partner | Up to 6 months | Next working day | Same day |
| SET(LR) | Long Residence (10 years) | Up to 6 months | Not available | Not available |
| SET(O) | Health and Care Worker | Up to 6 months | Next working day | Same day |
| SET(O) | Innovator Founder | Up to 6 months | Next working day | Same day |
Source: Home Office gov.uk guidance, March 2026. Times are for in-country indefinite leave to remain applications.
What the Full Processing Times Tool Offers
Go beyond official estimates. See what is actually happening with indefinite leave to remain processing right now, based on real data from the community.
Community-Reported Times
See real processing times submitted by people who have already received their indefinite leave to remain decision. Know what to actually expect.
Timeline Simulator
Enter your application date and see a projected timeline based on current processing speeds and community data from recent indefinite leave to remain grants.
Email Alerts for Delays
Get notified if processing times for your route increase significantly. Stay ahead of any delays that could affect your indefinite leave to remain application.
Route-Specific Data
Filter by your specific visa route to see processing times relevant to your indefinite leave to remain application, not just averages across all routes.
How Long Does Indefinite Leave to Remain Take in 2026?
The official Home Office target for processing indefinite leave to remain applications is up to 6 months for the standard service. In practice, many applications for indefinite leave to remain are decided in a shorter time, often between 4 and 12 weeks, depending on the complexity of the case and the volume of applications being processed at the time. However, the 6-month figure is a target and not a guarantee, and some applications for indefinite leave to remain take longer.
The most important thing you can do is submit a complete and accurate indefinite leave to remain application with all required supporting documents. Incomplete applications are a leading cause of delays, as the Home Office may need to request further information, adding weeks or months to the decision time. Using the ILR Tracker checklist tool before you apply helps ensure nothing is missing.
What Affects Indefinite Leave to Remain Processing Times?
Several factors influence how long it takes to receive a decision on an indefinite leave to remain application. The volume of applications submitted to the Home Office at any given time has a significant effect. Peak periods, such as the months before significant fee increases, often see a spike in indefinite leave to remain applications and longer wait times as a result.
The route through which you are applying for indefinite leave to remain also matters. Straightforward applications on the Skilled Worker route tend to be processed more quickly than complex cases involving long residence or applications with significant absences to explain. Any criminal history, even minor matters, will typically add time to the processing of an indefinite leave to remain application while checks are completed.
Priority vs Super Priority for Indefinite Leave to Remain
For those who need a faster decision on their indefinite leave to remain application, the Home Office offers two premium services. The priority service costs an additional £500 and aims to deliver a decision by the next working day after your biometrics appointment. This can be valuable if you need confirmation of your indefinite leave to remain status quickly for employment purposes or international travel.
The super priority service costs an additional £800 and is the fastest available option. If you submit your indefinite leave to remain application and attend your biometrics appointment before 11:45am, you should receive a decision by 11pm the same day. Super priority is not available for all indefinite leave to remain routes. The 10-year long residence route (SET(LR)), for example, does not offer priority or super priority processing.
What to Do If Your Indefinite Leave to Remain Is Taking Longer Than Expected
If your indefinite leave to remain application has been pending for longer than 6 months, you can contact the Home Office to request an update. The quickest way is to use the online checking tool on gov.uk. If you have been waiting more than 8 months, you may be able to submit a complaint or, in exceptional circumstances, seek a judicial review. An immigration solicitor can advise on your options if your indefinite leave to remain application has been significantly delayed.
Can You Travel While Waiting for Indefinite Leave to Remain?
Whether you can travel outside the UK while your indefinite leave to remain application is pending depends on your current immigration status. If you applied before your existing leave expired, you are covered by section 3C leave, which maintains your previous conditions of stay, including any travel restrictions. In general, leaving the UK with a pending indefinite leave to remain application is risky. Re-entry is not guaranteed, and in some cases the Home Office may treat a departure as a withdrawal of the application. You should seek specialist immigration advice before travelling while an indefinite leave to remain application is pending.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get indefinite leave to remain in 2026?
The official Home Office processing time for indefinite leave to remain is up to 6 months for the standard service. In practice, many applications are decided faster, with some straightforward cases resolved in 4 to 8 weeks. However, complex cases or those requiring further evidence can take longer. Priority service aims for the next working day and super priority service targets the same day.
Is it worth paying for priority processing for indefinite leave to remain?
Whether priority service is worth the additional cost (£500) depends on your circumstances. If you have an urgent reason to have your indefinite leave to remain decision quickly, such as international travel or starting a new job, priority service can be valuable. For most applicants with no time pressure, standard service at no extra cost is a reasonable choice, especially given that the 6-month timeframe is a maximum rather than an average.
What can cause indefinite leave to remain to take longer than 6 months?
Several factors can extend indefinite leave to remain processing beyond the 6-month target. These include requests for further information or evidence, criminal record checks that require more time, high application volumes at the Home Office, incomplete applications, or cases where the Home Office needs to verify employment or residence details with third parties. If your application has been pending longer than 6 months, you can contact the Home Office to request an update.
Can I travel while waiting for my indefinite leave to remain decision?
This depends on your current immigration status. If you applied for indefinite leave to remain before your current leave expired (in time), you are generally covered by section 3C leave, which allows you to remain in the UK and in many cases to travel and re-enter. However, travelling while your application is pending carries risk and you should seek immigration advice before travelling. Leaving the UK with a pending application can in some cases lead to your application being withdrawn.
What is the difference between standard, priority, and super priority for indefinite leave to remain?
Standard service is the default and is included in the indefinite leave to remain application fee, with processing taking up to 6 months. Priority service costs an additional £500 and aims to deliver a decision by the next working day after your biometrics appointment. Super priority service costs an additional £800 and aims to deliver a decision by 11pm on the same day as your biometrics appointment (if submitted by 11:45am). Priority and super priority services are not available for all indefinite leave to remain routes, such as the 10-year long residence route.