If you are the partner of a British citizen or a settled person and have lived in the UK for almost 5 years, the SET(M) application form is the next step to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK. This post provides an overview of the SET(M) application form,...
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
What is the difference between citizenship and naturalisation?
People often use the words citizenship and naturalisation as if they mean the same thing, and the distinction matters more than it first appears. British citizenship is a legal status. Naturalisation is one of several routes by which an adult can acquire that status....
Earned settlement for indefinite leave to remain: what it means
For many people, settlement is the goal that years of lawful residence in the UK have been building towards. Earned settlement is a proposed reform that would change how that goal is reached, moving away from a fixed qualifying period towards one earned through...
Settled Status versus British Citizenship – What’s the Difference?
Settled status is not the same as British citizenship, and the difference decides what a person can do once they have settled in the UK. Settled status, whether through the EU Settlement Scheme or as Indefinite Leave to Remain, is permanent immigration permission to...
Client Success: ILR with Reduced Cash Savings Requirement
At Whytecroft Ford, we support clients through every stage of their UK immigration journey, including the final step to settlement, Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). One recent case demonstrates how a significant change in the financial requirement at the ILR stage...
Indefinite Leave to Remain timeline 2026: how long does ILR take?
Settling permanently in the UK marks the end of a qualifying period that may span five years or more of lawful continuous residence. Indefinite Leave to Remain is the grant of settlement status to an applicant who has met the residence, absence and evidence...
Client Success Story: Indefinite Leave to Remain Dependant After Refusal
At Whytecroft Ford, we specialise in assisting clients with UK immigration matters, including applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain as a Dependant. In this case, we supported a Canadian national through a multi-stage immigration journey to secure settlement in...
Client Success: ILR Approved for Applicant & Adult Dependant
Securing Indefinite Leave to Remain as a Family Following several years of lawful residence in the UK, a client approached Whytecroft Ford to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under the partner route. Alongside her application, her son, initially granted...
When Does the Clock Reset for ILR?
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also known as UK settlement, grants individuals the right to live, work, and study in the UK indefinitely, with access to public funds and the opportunity to apply for British citizenship. To qualify for ILR, applicants must meet the...
What Are the Benefits of Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK?
Indefinite Leave to Remain lets you live, work and study in the UK with no time limit and no visa to renew. It is the UK's settlement status, and it is held by a person who has completed the qualifying residence period on an eligible route and met the settlement...
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.