A House of Lords committee has urged the Government to drop its plan to extend the wait for ILR from five to 10 years. Here is what the June 2026 report says and what it means for people on the path to settlement.
Indefinite Leave to Remain Guides and Insights
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) removes the time limit on a person's stay in the UK and confirms settled status. These guides cover who qualifies, the continuous residence and absence rules, the Life in the UK Test, the SET application forms and documents, refusals and timelines. Start with the guides, or browse the full list of insights below.
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Complete guide
Indefinite Leave to Remain: UK settlement guide
Who qualifies, the routes and the requirements.
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Most read
Proving cohabitation for ILR
The relationship and address evidence for partner ILR.
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Documents
ILR supporting documents checklist
What to gather before you apply for settlement.
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All Indefinite Leave to Remain guides
The 180-day absence rule for ILR and how to count it
Time spent outside the UK can affect a person's eligibility for settlement, even where their visa stays valid. Most routes to Indefinite Leave to Remain require continuous residence, which limits absences to 180 days in any 12 months. Where the limit is exceeded...
Can I apply for ILR without the Life in the UK Test?
An applicant approaching settlement may be exempt from the Life in the UK Test on grounds of age or health. The test forms part of the knowledge of language and life in the UK requirement, which applies to most adults who apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Where an...
When can you apply for ILR after a spouse visa?
A partner on a spouse visa can apply for settlement after five years. Indefinite Leave to Remain, known as settlement, removes the time limit on a person's stay once a qualifying period on the route is complete. An application made before the qualifying period is...
Accountant’s certificate of confirmation for a UK Spouse or Partner Visa
A self-employed sponsor often has the income to meet the financial requirement comfortably, yet the evidence rules are where these applications are won or lost. The accountant's certificate of confirmation is one document within that evidence, and for many...
What is the quickest way to settle in the UK?
Indefinite Leave to Remain, known as settlement, removes the time limit on a person's permission to live and work in the UK. It becomes available only after a qualifying period, and that period is fixed by the type of visa leading up to the application. A gap in...
Common ILR Refusal Reasons in 2026 and How to Get a Re-Application Right
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is most often refused for reasons that are avoidable: absences that exceed the limit for the route, gaps or errors in the specified evidence, a continuous residence break, an unmet English language or Life in the UK Test requirement,...
How Much Does Indefinite Leave to Remain Cost in 2026?
Key Overviews The indefinite leave to remain fee is £3,226 per person as at 8 April 2026. No Immigration Health Surcharge is payable at the ILR stage. Priority and super priority processing services are optional extras. The Life in the UK test costs £50 for a standard...
ILR Supporting Documents Checklist 2026: What You Need to Apply
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is permanent settlement in the UK, granting the right to live, work, and study without time limit. An ILR application is decided largely on documents, so the supporting evidence determines the outcome more often than eligibility does....
UK Spouse Visa Priority Service 2026
Key Overviews The UK spouse visa 6-Week priority service costs £500 on top of the application fee for out of country applications. Super priority service costs £1,000 for in-country spouse visa extensions and ILR applications. Priority is not guaranteed. UKVI can...
Common questions about Indefinite Leave to Remain
How long must you live in the UK before applying for ILR?
Most routes require a continuous qualifying period of five years in the UK, including the family and main work routes. Some routes carry a different period, such as the ten-year long residence route. The qualifying period is counted to the date the application is made.
How many days can you spend outside the UK and still qualify for ILR?
On most routes the applicant must not have more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period across the qualifying period. Absences are assessed for the whole period, not a single year, and the way they are counted differs between routes.
Is the Life in the UK Test required for ILR?
Yes. Most ILR applicants must pass the Life in the UK Test before settlement can be granted, unless an exemption applies for reasons such as age. The English language requirement also applies on most routes, and both are met before the application is submitted.
How Whytecroft Ford can help
The Whytecroft Ford immigration team prepares ILR applications across the family and work routes, from checking the absence record against the rules to assembling the residence evidence and confirming the Life in the UK and language requirements are met. To discuss an ILR application with our team, call 0208 757 5751 or use the contact form.
The material in this article is provided for guidance and general information only and is not intended to constitute legal or other professional advice upon which you should rely. In particular, the information should not be used as a substitute for a full and proper consultation with a suitably qualified professional. UK Immigration Rules are subject to change. Please do contact the Whytecroft Ford team if you require further advice.