ILR Requirements: What You Need for Indefinite Leave to Remain
To get indefinite leave to remain (ILR), you usually need enough years in the UK, trips abroad within the limit, a Life in the UK Test pass, and the English and money rules for your visa.
Time You Need to Have Lived in the UK
Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visas require five years in the UK to qualify for ILR. Throughout that period you cannot be outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period. This is known as the continuous residence rule, and it makes sure long absences have not broken your time in the UK.
You may submit your application up to 28 days before you reach the five-year point. Sending it sooner than 28 days early may lead to refusal. If your visa is due to end before you can apply, extend it first rather than letting it run out.
Other routes take a different time: Global Talent three or five years, Innovator Founder three years, spouse or partner five years (or 10 on the 10-year partner route), UK Ancestry and BN(O) five years, and long residence 10 years.
Salary and Income Rules
How much money you need varies by route.
| Visa route | Money requirement |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | £41,700 a year at least, or your job's going rate if that is higher |
| Partner on the five-year route whose first application was on or after 11 April 2024 | A combined income of £29,000 or more per year |
| Partner on the five-year route whose first application was before 11 April 2024 | Usually at least £18,600 a year, plus £3,800 for the first child |
| UK Ancestry | Enough money to support yourself and anyone who depends on you |
You can check the details on the salary guidance for Skilled Worker, the partner settlement guidance, and the UK Ancestry settlement guidance. If you have a Skilled Worker visa, your employer must confirm that the business still needs you in your role.
Who Has to Pass the Life in the UK Test?
Anyone aged 18 to 64 has to pass it before they apply. People who are 65 or older are exempt.
The exam gives you 45 minutes for 24 questions. The pass mark is 75%. Passing gives you a unique reference number, which you enter when you apply for ILR.
Booking the Life in the UK Test and the Fee
The test costs £50 and you have to book it at least three days ahead, so it's worth getting it done before you're ready to apply.
Do You Need to Prove Your English?
It depends on your visa and when you apply. B1 and B2 are English levels; B2 is higher, and both cover speaking and listening.
| Route | Before 26 March 2027 | From 26 March 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | None at settlement: you proved it for the visa | B2 |
| Partner | B1 level | B2 level |
| Hong Kong British National (Overseas) route | B1 | B1, with no change in 2027 |
Settling Through the EU Settlement Scheme
People with citizenship of an EU country, the EEA or Switzerland may be able to use the EU Settlement Scheme rather than applying for ILR. If your application is successful, you get settled or pre-settled status.
From Pre-Settled Status to Settled Status
If you get pre-settled status, you don't have to stay on it forever. It generally leads to settled status once you have lived in the UK for five years without a break.
Questions People Often Ask
What is the ILR application fee?
Each applicant pays £3,226. The £50 Life in the UK Test fee comes on top of that.
Will a criminal conviction affect my application?
Having a criminal conviction can make your application take longer.
It can also lead to a refusal: the rules say an application must be refused after a prison or suspended sentence of 12 months or more.