Core documents for all ILR applications: your current passport and all passports held during the qualifying period, evidence of continuous leave throughout, a Life in the UK test pass certificate, English language evidence, and proof of residence (payslips, bank statements, utility bills) at regular intervals across the qualifying period. For a full overview of ILR eligibility and the routes, see our ILR requirements guide or our ILR service page.
Documents by ILR Route
| Document | Skilled Worker | Spouse / Partner | Long Residence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current passport | Required | Required | Required |
| All passports (qualifying period) | Required | Required | Required |
| BRP cards / digital status records | Required | Required | Required |
| Life in the UK pass certificate | Required | Required | Required |
| English language evidence | Required | Required | Required |
| Payslips (qualifying period) | Required | Required | Required |
| Bank statements (qualifying period) | Required | Required | Required |
| P60s | Required | Required | Required |
| Employer letter confirming role/salary | Required | Not needed | Not needed |
| Salary evidence at or above going rate | Required | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Evidence of financial requirement (£29,000+) | Not applicable | Required | Not applicable |
| Evidence relationship genuine and subsisting | Not applicable | Required | Not applicable |
| Cohabitation evidence | Not applicable | Required | Not applicable |
| Full residence evidence for 10 years | Not applicable | Not applicable | Required |
| Evidence of lawful leave throughout | Required | Required | Required — all 10 years |
Identity Documents
You must provide your current valid passport and all passports held during your qualifying period — even if expired. The Home Office checks passport records against Border Force data. Missing passports from the qualifying period can make it difficult to verify your travel history. If an old passport is lost or an embassy has retained it, provide an explanation with your application and obtain whatever replacement documentation you can. If your nationality changed during the qualifying period, provide both the old and new passports and the relevant nationality documents.
Financial Documents
Payslips
Provide payslips at regular intervals throughout the qualifying period — ideally monthly for the full five or ten years. If payslips are missing for specific months, alternatives include a letter from the employer confirming employment and salary for that period, or HMRC employment history records.
Bank statements
Bank statements covering the qualifying period support your residence and financial records. Provide statements from your main account at intervals — at minimum quarterly for the full qualifying period, monthly if possible.
P60s
Annual P60 forms confirm your total pay and tax deducted for each tax year. These are useful supporting evidence alongside payslips. If you have lost P60s, your employer or HMRC can usually provide replacements or a summary.
Employment Documents
For Skilled Worker applicants
In addition to payslips, you need a letter from your current sponsor employer confirming your current role and job title, your start date, your current salary, and confirmation that you are still employed at the date of the letter. The letter must confirm your salary is at or above the going rate for your SOC code. If your salary has been at or near the threshold at any point, provide additional evidence such as your employment contract and pay review letters. For route-specific advice, see our Skilled Worker ILR guide.
If you changed employers during the qualifying period
You will need employment evidence from each employer. A gap between sponsors — even a short one — is a potential problem. If you changed employer, check when your Skilled Worker sponsorship transferred and whether there was a gap in your certificate of sponsorship.
Evidence of Residence
The Home Office expects evidence of continuous physical presence in the UK at intervals throughout the qualifying period. Acceptable documents include payslips and bank statements (typically sufficient on their own if regular), utility bills in your name at your UK address, council tax bills, letters from HMRC or the DWP, NHS correspondence, GP registration records, or hospital letters. The key is consistency — evidence at regular intervals throughout the qualifying period. A gap of more than six months with no evidence of UK presence raises questions. If you have a legitimate explanation for a gap, provide it with the application.
What to Do About Missing Documents
Missing documents are a common source of preventable refusals. Before assuming a document cannot be obtained, try the following:
- Payslips: request copies from your employer's payroll department. Most employers keep records for at least six years
- Bank statements: request duplicate statements from your bank. Most banks can provide historical statements going back seven or more years
- P60s: request an employment history and tax summary from HMRC (via your Personal Tax Account or by calling HMRC)
- BRP cards: if lost, contact UKVI. You can also request your immigration history through a Subject Access Request
- Old passports: contact the relevant embassy; some can confirm passport numbers and issue dates
If a document genuinely cannot be obtained, include a letter with your application explaining why and what alternative evidence is provided. An unexplained gap is more likely to cause a refusal than a gap with a clear explanation and supporting alternatives. If you are concerned about your document bundle, see our ILR adviser service for a pre-submission review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need payslips for every month of the qualifying period?
Ideally yes — monthly payslips for the full period provide the clearest evidence of continuous employment. If some months are missing, alternative evidence can supplement. Gaps of more than two or three consecutive months without explanation are likely to attract scrutiny.
What if I cannot find my old BRP cards?
Contact UKVI to report lost BRP cards. You can also request your immigration history through a Subject Access Request. Provide a written explanation with your ILR application if cards are unavailable.
Do I need bank statements from every month?
Monthly statements for the full qualifying period are ideal but not always essential if other residence evidence covers the gaps. At minimum, quarterly statements across the qualifying period. The aim is to show consistent UK presence throughout.
What documents do I need if I changed employer during the qualifying period?
Payslips and an employer letter from each employer. For Skilled Worker applicants, check whether there was a gap between certificates of sponsorship when you changed employer — any gap may be treated as a break in continuous leave.
Can I use a Subject Access Request to get my immigration history?
Yes. A Subject Access Request to the Home Office gives you records of your visa applications and leave history. Allow at least 30 days for the response — plan this well in advance of your application.
Need personalised advice?
This guide provides general information only. For advice tailored to your circumstances, speak to one of our immigration advisers.
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