What Is Indefinite Leave to Remain?
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is the UK's equivalent of permanent residency. Once granted, ILR gives you the right to live and work in the UK without any immigration conditions or time limit. It is not tied to a specific employer or visa category — you are free to work, study, set up a business, or do nothing at all.
ILR is also the final step before British citizenship. Most ILR holders can apply for naturalisation as a British citizen after holding ILR for 12 months (if married to a British citizen) or 12 months (standard route).
Qualifying Routes to ILR
Most routes require 5 years of continuous lawful residence on a qualifying visa before you can apply. The most common qualifying routes:
Skilled Worker Visa: 5 years continuous on the Skilled Worker (or predecessor Tier 2 General) route. Your salary must still meet the going rate for your occupation at the time of the ILR application.
Family Visa (Spouse or Partner): 5 years on the Family visa route, starting from the initial entry clearance grant date.
UK Ancestry Visa: 5 years of continuous residence on the Ancestry route.
Global Talent Visa: Some Global Talent holders qualify for ILR in 3 years.
Long Residence: 10 years of continuous lawful residence in the UK (any combination of visa categories) can qualify you for ILR on the basis of long residence.
The Critical 180-Day Absence Rule
The most common reason ILR applications are refused is exceeding the 180-day absence limit. In any 12-month rolling period during your qualifying residence, you must not have been absent from the UK for more than 180 days in total.
This is a rolling 12-month period — not a calendar year. Every possible 12-month window within your qualifying period is checked. A single period of heavy absence (for example, 6 months caring for a family member abroad) can break your continuous residence and reset your qualifying period.
Before you apply, do a careful day-count calculation across your entire qualifying period. Many immigration advisers recommend doing this 12–18 months before you plan to apply, so you can adjust your travel if necessary.
Requirements at the Time of Application
When you apply for ILR, you must meet all of the following:
- Qualifying period: 5 years continuous lawful residence (or applicable period for your route)
- Absences: No more than 180 days in any rolling 12-month period
- English language: B1 CEFR or above (IELTS for UKVI or equivalent SELT, or a degree taught in English)
- Life in the UK test: Pass the standard Life in the UK test (25 questions, 75% pass mark — 18 questions correct)
- Salary: For Skilled Worker route, your current salary must still meet the going rate for your occupation
- Character: No serious criminal convictions or immigration breaches
Costs (2025)
- ILR application fee: £3,029 per person (including dependants applying simultaneously)
- No Immigration Health Surcharge after ILR is granted — you access the NHS like a UK permanent resident from the moment ILR is granted
The Life in the UK Test
The Life in the UK test is a 45-minute computerised test with 24 questions drawn from the official Life in the UK handbook. You need to answer at least 18 correctly (75%). Topics include:
- British history from ancient times to modern day
- UK government and institutions
- British laws and values
- Culture, sports, and notable figures
You must book the test at an approved test centre. Test results are valid for the lifetime of the ILR application — they do not expire.
Timeline: From ILR to British Citizenship
- ILR granted: You are now a UK permanent resident
- After 12 months of ILR: You can apply for British naturalisation (if you meet the requirements — most people who have lived in the UK for 6+ years will qualify)
- Dual citizenship: The UK allows dual nationality — you do not need to give up your original passport to become British
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for ILR before my 5-year qualifying period ends?
Yes — you can apply up to 28 days before the 5-year anniversary of your qualifying period start date. This is designed to allow for processing time without you having to remain in limbo.
What happens if I am away for more than 180 days in a year?
Your continuous residence is broken. Your qualifying period resets to the date you returned to the UK. In most cases you will need to wait a further 5 years from that point — though specialist immigration advice is strongly recommended in this situation.
Does time on a Graduate visa count toward ILR?
No. The Graduate visa is not a qualifying route for ILR. Only qualifying routes (Skilled Worker, Family, Ancestry, Global Talent, etc.) accumulate toward the 5-year qualifying period.
Can my family apply for ILR at the same time?
Yes. A spouse or civil partner and dependent children who have been in the UK continuously on dependant visas can apply for ILR simultaneously with the main applicant, each paying the same £3,029 fee.
This is general guidance only. Always verify current requirements with GOV.UK before applying.