Indefinite Leave to Remain (5 Year Route)

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): Your Path to Permanent Residency

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also known as settlement, allows individuals to live, work and study in the UK without a time limit. It can also provide a route towards British citizenship if the applicant later meets the relevant requirements.

The 5-Year Route to ILR

Under the 5-Year Route to ILR, individuals may qualify for settlement after completing 5 years of qualifying residence in the UK under an eligible immigration route.

Common routes that can lead to settlement after five years include:

1. Skilled Worker Visa: Skilled workers sponsored by an eligible UK employer may qualify for ILR after five years of qualifying residence.
2. Health and Care Worker Visa: Eligible Health and Care Workers may qualify for settlement after meeting the relevant five-year requirements.
3. UK Ancestry Visa: Individuals with a qualifying UK-born grandparent may qualify for ILR after five years on the UK Ancestry route.
4. Global Talent Visa: Depending on the basis on which the applicant qualifies, settlement may be available after either three or five years.
5. Minister of Religion Visa: Eligible religious workers may qualify for settlement after five years of qualifying residence.
6. International Sportsperson Visa: Eligible professional athletes and coaches may qualify for settlement after five years.
7. Representative of an Overseas Business: Eligible representatives of overseas businesses may qualify for settlement after five years.
8. Scale-up Worker Visa: Eligible Scale-up Workers may qualify for settlement after five years.
9. British National (Overseas) Visa: Eligible BN(O) visa holders may qualify for settlement after five years.
10. Other Eligible Routes: Certain other immigration routes may lead to settlement after five years, depending on the requirements of the relevant Immigration Rules.

Some routes allow qualifying time spent on other eligible settlement routes to be combined towards the five-year period. However, the rules vary depending on the immigration category.

Continuous and Lawful Residence

To qualify for ILR under a five-year settlement route, you must meet the continuous residence requirements applicable to your immigration route.

Qualifying Residence:

• You must generally complete five years of qualifying residence in the UK.
• The types of immigration permission that can count towards the five-year period depend on the settlement route.
• Some routes allow time spent on certain other eligible immigration routes to be combined.
• You must continue to meet the requirements of the settlement route under which you are applying.

Absence from the UK:

• You must generally not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period during the qualifying period.
• Certain exceptions may apply under the Immigration Rules.
• Applicants should keep accurate records of all travel outside the UK to ensure they meet the continuous residence requirement.

Other Requirements

In addition to the five-year residence requirement, applicants must meet the requirements that apply to their particular settlement route. These may include:

• English Language: Unless exempt, applicants must meet the English language requirement applicable to their settlement route. For many current settlement routes, this is CEFR Level B1 in speaking and listening. The required level is due to increase to CEFR Level B2 for applications made on or after 26 March 2027, subject to the applicable Immigration Rules and exemptions.
• Life in the UK Test: Unless exempt, applicants must normally pass the Life in the UK Test.
• Route-Specific Requirements: Depending on the route, applicants may need to continue meeting requirements relating to employment, salary, sponsorship, business activity or other circumstances.
• Suitability Requirements: Applicants must meet the relevant suitability requirements and must not normally be in breach of UK immigration laws.

Application Process

• Online Application: Apply online for ILR under the relevant settlement route.
• 28-Day Application Window: You can generally apply up to 28 days before completing the required five-year qualifying period. Applying earlier than this may result in the application being refused.
• Supporting Documents: Provide evidence of your identity, immigration status, qualifying residence and any other documents required for your specific route.
• Biometrics: Provide fingerprints and a photograph as part of the application process when required.
• Decision: The standard processing time is generally within 6 months. Priority or super priority services may be available for an additional fee, depending on the application route and circumstances.

Applicants should check the specific GOV.UK guidance for their immigration route before submitting an ILR application because the evidence and eligibility requirements can differ between routes.

Application Fee

The current application fee for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is £3,226 per applicant.

There is no separate fee for providing biometric information such as fingerprints and a photograph. Optional priority or super priority services may be available for an additional fee where applicable.

Important Considerations

• Check Your Immigration History: Make sure your qualifying residence and immigration permission meet the requirements of your specific settlement route.
• Check Your Absences: Keep a detailed record of travel outside the UK and ensure you comply with the applicable 180-day absence rule.
• Check Route-Specific Requirements: Some routes have additional requirements relating to salary, employment, sponsorship, business activity or other conditions.
• Apply at the Correct Time: Make sure you have completed the required qualifying period, or are within the permitted 28-day period before completing it, when submitting your application.
• Do Not Travel While Your Application Is Pending: You must not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man while your ILR application is awaiting a decision. If you do, your application may be treated as withdrawn.
• Dependants: Eligible dependants generally need to meet the requirements of the relevant dependant or family settlement route and may have their own qualifying period.

The 5-Year Route to ILR provides an important pathway to permanent settlement for individuals who have lived in the UK under eligible immigration routes. However, the exact requirements vary depending on the visa category, so applicants should carefully check the current Immigration Rules before applying.

Written on: 28 August 2026