UK ILR Requirements Explained (2026)

To qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain you need the right visa, held for the required period, with continuous residence, a Life in the UK test pass, English language at B1 or above, and a clean immigration and character record. The qualifying period is five years for most routes and ten years on the long residence route. For the full picture of how ILR works and the services available, see our ILR service page.

ILR Eligibility at a Glance

Route	Qualifying Period	Key Conditions
Skilled Worker	5 years	Continuous sponsorship; salary at or above going rate throughout
Spouse / Partner (FLR(M))	5 years	Relationship genuine and subsisting; financial requirement met throughout
Long Residence	10 years	Lawful continuous residence throughout; may combine visa types
Global Talent (leader)	3 years	Endorsed by a recognised body
Global Talent (promise)	5 years	As above
Innovator Founder	3 years	Business genuinely active; endorsing body sign-off required

Basic Eligibility Requirements

Across every ILR route, these conditions apply:

• You hold a visa that leads to settlement and have held it for the required qualifying period
• You have not spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any single 12-month period during that time — see our 180-day rule guide
• You have passed the Life in the UK test (or are exempt)
• You meet the English language requirement for your route
• You have not breached immigration conditions at any point during your qualifying period
• You meet the good character requirement — no recent criminal convictions, no deception, no unpaid immigration penalties

Meeting the qualifying period is necessary but not sufficient. The Home Office refuses ILR applications that meet the period requirement but fail on absences, documents, or character. Do not assume that reaching your qualifying date means the application will succeed automatically.

Residence Requirements

You must have been continuously resident in the UK throughout your qualifying period. Continuous residence means you have been lawfully present at all times with no overstays or gaps in leave, you have not spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month window, and you have not had a single absence of more than six months even if within the 180-day total.

The Home Office checks absence records against Border Force data. Applicants often underestimate their total absences, particularly if they have taken multiple shorter trips over several years. Before you apply, calculate your absences properly using rolling 12-month windows, not calendar years. Our 180-day rule guide explains this in detail.

Immigration Categories That Qualify for ILR

Not every visa leads to settlement. Visas that do not lead to ILR include Student visas (except in limited circumstances for long residence), visitor visas, seasonal worker visas, and the Graduate visa in isolation (though time on it may count towards long residence). If you have held multiple visa types, take advice if your history is mixed.

English Language Requirement

You must demonstrate English at B1 level or above. Acceptable evidence includes an approved English language test taken at an approved centre with results no more than two years old, a degree-level qualification taught in English, or nationality — citizens of majority English-speaking countries are exempt. If you met the English language requirement for your most recent visa at B1 or above, you will not normally need to demonstrate it again for ILR.

Life in the UK Test

The test consists of 24 questions on British history, values, and institutions. You need 18 correct answers (75%) to pass. The fee is £50 per attempt and there is no limit on attempts. Exemptions apply for those under 18 or 65 and over at the date of the ILR application, and those unable to take the test due to a long-term health condition. For booking guidance and preparation advice, see our Life in the UK test guide.

Common Reasons People Fail Eligibility

• Absences miscalculated — using calendar years rather than rolling 12-month windows
• Applying too early — the qualifying period runs from the date leave was granted, not the date the applicant arrived or started work
• Salary below threshold — for Skilled Worker applicants where pay was below the going rate at some point during the qualifying period. See our Skilled Worker ILR guide.
• Gap in leave — a period of overstay, even brief, can break continuous residence entirely
• Undisclosed conviction — failing to disclose a caution or conviction

If your application has been refused, see our ILR refusal help guide for next steps, or our ILR adviser service if professional advice would help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the basic requirements for ILR in the UK?

You need a qualifying visa held for the required period (usually five years), continuous residence without more than 180 days absence in any 12-month period, a Life in the UK test pass, English at B1 or above, and a clean immigration and criminal record.

How long do I need to live in the UK before applying for ILR?

Five years for most routes. Three years for Global Talent (leader). Ten continuous years on the long residence route. The period runs from the date leave was granted, not the date of arrival.

Do I need to pass the Life in the UK test for ILR?

Yes, unless you are under 18, aged 65 or over, or have a qualifying health condition. You can take the test as many times as needed and the pass certificate does not expire, so it is worth taking it early in your qualifying period.

Can I apply for ILR if I have a criminal conviction?

It depends on the nature and age of the conviction. Minor historic convictions do not automatically bar you from ILR. Recent convictions — particularly custodial sentences — typically lead to refusal. Take advice before applying if you have anything on your record.

Can time on a Student visa count towards ILR?

Not directly on the five-year routes. However, time on a Student visa can count towards the ten-year long residence route, provided your leave was continuous and lawful throughout.