In short: UK Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), November 2026
- The earned settlement policy announced on 2 November 2026 is not yet in force and has no start date; the current rules still apply.
- ILR is permission to live and work in the UK without a time limit.
- Routes such as Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Scale-up and the Ankara Agreement usually require 5 years of continuous residence.
- On most routes, you should not normally have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period. Limited exceptions may be considered at the Home Office’s discretion.
- The Life in the UK test and an English language requirement apply. For applications made on or after 26 March 2027, level B2 will apply on many routes.
- The application fee is £3,226 per person.
Permanent Residency in the UK
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is an immigration status that allows individuals holding temporary residence permits to settle in the UK permanently. Individuals with ILR can live, work, and study in the UK without any restrictions.
ILR is typically granted to individuals who have legally and continuously resided in the UK for five years under eligible visa categories. During this period, applicants must meet specific legal and financial requirements. In some cases, the five-year qualifying period may be composed of a combination of different visa routes. For further details and tailored guidance, please contact us.
ILR is considered the final step before applying for British citizenship. (Please note: Children under the age of 18 may be eligible for citizenship without first obtaining ILR. For more information, please visit our citizenship page.)
ILR Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Rule | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying residence | 5 years on most routes | Varies by route |
| Absences | No more than 180 days in any 12-month period | Exceptions are at the Home Office’s discretion |
| Life in the UK | At least 18 of 24 questions, 45 minutes | Test fee £50, ages 18–64 |
| English | B1 level | B2 on many routes from 26 March 2027 |
| Application fee | £3,226 per person | No extra charge for biometrics |
| Processing time | Usually 6 months | Standard service |
Source: GOV.UK, Immigration Rules, HC 1691
Life in the UK, English, fee and points to note: details
Life in the UK Test
Applicants seeking Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) are required to pass the Life in the UK Test. This exam assesses your knowledge of British history, traditions, laws, and society.
The test consists of 24 multiple-choice questions, and a minimum of 18 correct answers is required to pass. The exam lasts 45 minutes. The test fee is £50, and it must be booked online at least three days in advance. There are over 30 test centres across the UK, allowing you to select the most convenient location during the booking process.
Upon passing, you will receive a certificate that must be submitted with your ILR application. If you do not pass the test, you may retake it; however, you must pay the fee again and wait a minimum of seven days before rebooking.
English Language Requirement
You can demonstrate your English proficiency by providing a valid certificate at a minimum B1 level, or by holding a degree that was taught or researched in English. In some circumstances, you may be exempt from proving your English language ability.
Application Fee
To apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, a payment of £3,226 per person must be made. During the application process, biometric information (fingerprints and photograph) will be taken for each applicant; however, no additional fee is charged for this process.
Processing Time
Applications submitted under the standard service are typically processed within 6 months.
Important points
To avoid refusal of your application, the following points must be carefully observed:
- No criminal record in the UK or abroad.
- No false or incomplete information provided to the Home Office.
- No violations of UK immigration laws.
Visa Routes Eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain
| Visa | Period | Key requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Global Talent Visa | 3 or 5 years | Exceptional Talent endorsement and eligible awards: 3 years; Exceptional Promise endorsement: 5 years |
| Skilled Worker and International Sportsperson | 5 years | Employer confirms the role continues; Salary requirement met |
| Scale-up Visa | 5 years | Salary threshold at the time of application; Salary threshold in at least 2 of the last 3 years |
| Turkish Businessperson or Worker Visa (Ankara Agreement) | 5 years | Closed to new applicants; extensions and settlement continue; Evidence that the business is still trading |
| Domestic Worker Visa | 5 years | Only for those granted under the rules before 6 April 2012; Continued full-time employment in the household |
Global Talent Visa: full requirements
Individuals holding a Global Talent visa may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) provided they have lived in the UK for a certain period and continue to meet the conditions under which their visa was granted.
Eligibility Requirements:
- UK Residence Requirement: Applicants must have resided in the UK for a period ranging from 3 to 5 years prior to applying for ILR, depending on the conditions of their endorsement.
- If endorsed by the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Society or UK Research and Innovation, or by Arts Council England or Tech Nation under the Exceptional Talent route, applicants may be eligible to apply after 3 years.
- If endorsed by Arts Council England or Tech Nation under the Exceptional Promise route, the required residence period is 5 years.
- If the visa was granted based on an eligible award without endorsement, the applicant may also apply after 3 years.
Skilled Worker and International Sportsperson Visas: full requirements
The Skilled Worker and International Sportsperson visas offer qualified individuals working in the United Kingdom the opportunity to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. The requirements for applying for ILR under these visa categories are outlined below.
UK Residence Requirement:
Applicants must have continuously lived and worked in the UK for at least 5 years. Time spent outside the UK during this period is subject to limits. No more than 180 days may be spent outside the UK in any 12-month period.
Salary Requirements:
Salary Requirements:
- Skilled Worker Visa: The sponsoring employer must confirm that the employee still holds the same position and meets the applicable salary threshold.
- International Sportsperson Visa: Athletes and coaches must earn a minimum annual salary of £35,800.
A formal letter from the employer is required to confirm the employment status and salary compliance.
Scale-up Visa: full requirements
Applicants holding a Scale-up Worker visa may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the United Kingdom, provided they have resided in the country for a minimum of five years. Time spent outside the UK and any other visa categories held during this period will be evaluated in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Eligibility Requirements:
Length of Residence in the UK: Prior to applying, the applicant must have lived and worked in the United Kingdom for a continuous period of five years. Within each 12-month period during this time, the applicant must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK.
Salary Requirements:
Applicants must meet both the current salary threshold and demonstrate a consistent earning history.
- Current Salary: The applicant must be employed at a specific salary level at the time of application.
The required salary threshold varies depending on the date of the most recent Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued:- On or after 22 July 2025: £39,100 per year
- Between 4 April 2024 and 21 July 2025: £36,300 per year (if you have extended your Scale-up visa: £39,100 per year)
- Between 12 April 2023 and 3 April 2024: £34,600 per year
- Before 11 April 2023: £33,000 per year
- Past 3-Year Earnings: Applicants must have earned the applicable salary for at least 2 of the last 3 years, at the thresholds listed above.
If the applicant worked multiple jobs, each must meet the relevant salary requirement. If multiple roles were held simultaneously, the highest-paid role will be considered. Self-employment income is not eligible.
Turkish Businessperson or Worker Visa (Ankara Agreement): full requirements
Individuals residing in the United Kingdom under the Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker visa routes may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) provided they meet the relevant eligibility requirements. Although new applications under these visa categories are no longer accepted following the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union on 31 December 2020, existing visa holders may continue to submit applications for extensions and settlement.
Requirements for ILR:
Continued Business Activity: In order to be eligible for settlement, individuals holding a Turkish Businessperson visa must demonstrate that they are actively continuing their business operations in the United Kingdom. As part of the application process, supporting documentation must be provided to evidence this, which may include business-related invoices, company bank statements, proof of National Insurance contributions (where applicable), promotional materials, and tenancy or ownership documents pertaining to the business premises.
Domestic Worker Visa: full requirements
The Domestic Worker visa applies to individuals employed within a private household, either in their employer’s residence or in a property regularly used by the employer. Roles under this category typically include drivers, nannies, carers, cooks, cleaners, and gardeners. Those who were granted this visa type prior to 6 April 2012 may still be eligible to apply for an extension and permanent settlement. However, individuals who received this visa on or after that date are not eligible for settlement under this route.
Requirements for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR):
- Age and Duration of Employment: The applicant must be over the age of 19 at the time of application and must have been employed by the same employer for at least one year.
- Employment Relationship: The applicant must continue to be employed full-time as a domestic worker in the employer’s residence or in a household regularly used by the employer in the UK, and must intend to maintain this employment.
Earned Settlement: The Announced Changes
Today the qualifying period on most routes is 5 years. The model announced on 2 November 2026 is not yet in force; it is expected to take effect through a Statement of Changes.
| Announced pathway | Period | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Income above £125,000 a year | 3 years | Not yet in force |
| Income above £50,271, public service | 5 years | Not yet in force |
| Standard | 10 years | Not yet in force |
| Requirements not met | 20 years | Not yet in force |
Source: Home Office announcement, 2 November 2026. Read our detailed article
Indefinite Leave to Remain for Family Members
Family members of individuals holding eligible visa categories may also apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, provided they meet specific criteria.
Spouses and partners
The requirements for spouses or partners are as follows:
- The individual must currently hold valid dependent leave in the UK.
- They must have resided in the UK as a dependent for at least 5 continuous years.
- The relationship must be genuine and subsisting.
- The couple must intend to continue living together.
- The applicant must be financially self-sufficient and not reliant on public funds.
Time spent in the UK as a dependent under a previous visa category may be counted toward the continuous residence requirement for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Other Requirements:
- Life in the UK Test: Spouses must pass the “Life in the UK” test.
- English Language Requirements: Spouses are also required to meet the English language proficiency criteria.
Children
Children:
Children may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if they meet the following conditions:
- The child holds valid dependent leave to remain in the United Kingdom.
- The child is not married or in a civil partnership.
- The child resides with the family and is supported without recourse to public funds.
Additionally, children may also be eligible to apply for ILR under the following circumstances:
- The child has only one surviving parent.
- One parent holds sole responsibility for the child’s care.
- There are serious or compelling family or other circumstances (e.g., serious illness affecting the child or a parent).
How to Apply
- Work out your eligibility dateUse the ILR calculator at the top of this page to see the date and your 180-day position.
- Prepare your documentsPassport, eVisa, residence and income evidence.
- Apply online and payApplication form and fee on GOV.UK.
- Biometrics appointmentFingerprints and photo at a UKVCAS centre.
Watch for refusal risks: a criminal record, false or incomplete information given to the Home Office, and breaches of immigration rules can lead to refusal.
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Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): Frequently Asked Questions
What does ILR mean?
Indefinite Leave to Remain is permission to stay in the UK without a time limit. It allows the holder to live, work and study in the UK with no time restriction.
How many years does it take to get ILR in the UK?
On most work and business routes, you can apply after 5 years of continuous lawful residence. The period can vary depending on the route and your visa history.
How long can I spend outside the UK for ILR?
During the continuous residence period, you must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period.
How much is the ILR application fee?
As of November 2026, it is £3,226 per person.
Is the English language requirement changing?
For applications made on or after 26 March 2027, level B2 will be required on many routes, including Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Scale-up and Innovator Founder.
The information on this page is general and does not replace personal advice; the rules may change. Speak to our adviser before making any application decision.