Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is the UK's permanent residence status. It grants the right to live and work in the UK without any time limit or immigration conditions. For most Skilled Worker visa holders, ILR becomes available after five continuous years of lawful residence in the UK.
In This Article
- What is ILR?
- Who is eligible for ILR?
- The 5-year qualifying period
- Absence rules
- Knowledge of Life in the UK (KOLL) test
- English language requirement
- How to apply for ILR
- ILR vs British citizenship
- What happens if ILR lapses?
- Frequently asked questions
- Related terms
What Is ILR?
ILR, also called "settlement," is an immigration status that removes time limits and conditions from your permission to be in the UK. Unlike a visa, which expires and ties you to a sponsor, ILR means you can live in the UK permanently, work for any employer in any role, access public funds, and eventually apply for British citizenship.
It's the point where your immigration status stops being something you need to worry about renewing. ILR is recorded on a Biometric Residence Permit or, for newer applicants, as a digital eVisa status on the UKVI online account.
Who Is Eligible for ILR?
Many visa routes lead to ILR after the qualifying period. Skilled Worker Visa holders make up the largest group, but Health and Care Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, and family visa holders can also qualify. Each route has its own specific rules, though the core requirements (residence, language, Life in the UK test) overlap.
The 5-Year Qualifying Period
You need five continuous years of lawful residence. "Continuous" is strict: any gap in your leave (overstay or unlawful presence) resets the clock.
The good news is the five years don't need to be entirely on a Skilled Worker visa. Time on other qualifying routes, like the old Tier 2, counts toward the total. But you must still be employed by a licensed sponsor in an eligible role when you apply. Your sponsorship has to be active.
Use the calculator below to check your estimated ILR eligibility date, or track your UK absences with the full ILR Absence Tracker.
ILR Eligibility Date Calculator
Most Skilled Worker visa holders can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 continuous years. Enter your first UK visa start date.
Estimate only. The clock pauses if you leave the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month rolling period.
Track your absences with the full ILR Absence Tracker →Absence Rules
You must not have been absent from the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period during your five qualifying years. The Home Office checks every rolling 12-month window, not just the final year. This catches people off guard.
Exceed the 180-day limit in any single period and you're normally ineligible until you've built up a fresh five years that stays within the limit. Exceptions exist for Covid-19 absences, Crown service, and other exceptional circumstances, but you'll need evidence.
Knowledge of Life in the UK Test
All ILR applicants aged 18–64 must pass the Life in the UK test — a 24-question multiple choice exam based on the official handbook Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents. The test covers British history, culture, government, and values.
You take it at an approved test centre (book online), and you need at least 18 out of 24 correct (75%) to pass. The pass certificate never expires, and if you already passed it for a previous visa application, you can reuse the same certificate.
English Language Requirement
Most ILR applicants must demonstrate English proficiency at CEFR level B1 or above. This can be evidenced by:
- A Secure English Language Test (SELT) certificate from an approved provider
- A degree taught in English (from a UK institution or a Tier 4/Student visa study period)
- Being a national of a majority English-speaking country
If you met the English language requirement when you were granted your Skilled Worker visa, you do not need to re-sit a test for ILR — the same evidence is accepted.
How to Apply for ILR
ILR applications are made online via the UKVI website using the SET(O) application form (for most work routes). You will need to:
- Complete the online form and pay the application fee (currently £2,885 per person)
- Book a biometric appointment at a UKVI application centre
- Submit supporting documents: passport, payslips, P60s, sponsor confirmation, absence record, Life in the UK pass certificate
Processing times vary but are typically 2–6 months. You can pay for a "Super Priority" service (same or next working day decision) at an additional cost.
ILR vs British Citizenship
ILR is not the same as British citizenship:
| Feature | ILR | British Citizenship |
|---|---|---|
| Right to live in UK | Permanent (unless lapses) | Permanent |
| Right to vote in general elections | No (only local elections) | Yes |
| British passport | No | Yes |
| Travel without visa to most countries | No (depends on passport) | Yes (strong passport) |
| Can be lost | Yes (if absent 2+ years) | No (once granted) |
| Eligible for | After 5 years in UK | After 1 year of ILR |
Most ILR holders apply for naturalisation as a British citizen after holding ILR for 12 months, at which point they have spent at least six years in the UK.
What Happens if ILR Lapses?
Leave the UK for two or more continuous years and your ILR lapses. You lose settled status and need a new visa to re-enter. A Returning Resident visa is an option, but approval is not guaranteed.
This matters if you're considering a long stint abroad. British citizenship, by contrast, cannot be lost through absence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change jobs after getting ILR?
Absolutely. No more sponsor dependency. You can work for any employer, switch roles freely, or go self-employed.
Does my family get ILR at the same time?
They can apply alongside you, provided they've been in the UK on your visa and stayed within the absence limits. Each dependant files a separate application.
Can my ILR be revoked?
Only in narrow cases: deception on the application, serious criminal convictions, or administrative error. Changing jobs or other life changes won't trigger revocation.
Does time on a Graduate Route Visa count towards ILR?
It does not. Graduate Route time doesn't count toward the Skilled Worker ILR qualifying period. You'd need to switch to a qualifying route and start the five-year clock fresh.
Related Terms
- Skilled Worker Visa
- Certificate of Sponsorship
- Secure English Language Test (SELT)
- Graduate Route Visa
- Points-Based Immigration System
- Earned Settlement