Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) — settle in the UK

Indefinite Leave to Remain — clear eligibility, documents, and decision-ready applications

We confirm your ILR route (Spouse/Partner, Family & Private Life, UK Ancestry, Skilled Worker, or Domestic Violence), check continuous residence and test requirements, and prepare a clean, on-time application to UKVI.

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Choose your Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) route

Each ILR route has specific eligibility, evidence and fees. Select the one that applies to you for full guidance:

Spouse / Partner (ILR)

Usually after 5 years on the partner route (2.5 + 2.5), meeting relationship, financial and accommodation rules.

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Family & Private Life (ILR)

Settlement based on qualifying family/private life residence and suitability requirements under Appendix FM/PL.

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UK Ancestry (ILR)

Typically after 5 years on an Ancestry visa with residence and employment evidence and permitted absences.

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Skilled Worker (ILR)

After 5 years in eligible categories with continuous residence, qualifying salary, and sponsor compliance.

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Domestic Violence (SET-DV)

Settlement for partners whose relationship ended due to domestic abuse; evidence strategy and safeguarding.

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How ILR works — from check to decision

We confirm eligibility, map your evidence, file on time, and manage your ILR application until a decision.

  1. Step 1

    Eligibility & route check

    We assess your qualifying route (Spouse/Partner, Family & Private Life, UK Ancestry, Skilled Worker, or Domestic Violence), residence period, absences, suitability, and test requirements.

  2. Step 2

    Document strategy

    We issue a tailored evidence checklist, verify key proofs (identity, residence, absences, and financials), and prepare a clean, indexed bundle that meets UKVI standards.

  3. Step 3

    Application & forms

    We complete the correct ILR form, draft legal representations, confirm Home Office fees, and advise on available priority or super-priority services.

  4. Step 4

    Biometrics / ID verification

    We book and guide you through the UKVCAS appointment or ID app process, handle uploads, and respond to any requests for further information.

  5. Step 5

    Decision & next steps

    We inform you when a decision is made and advise on BRP/eVisa collection, travel, and your future pathway to British citizenship.

Book a Consultation Free Eligibility Check

ILR requirements — what you need to meet

Most ILR routes require a qualifying residence period, knowledge of English and life in the UK, and that you meet suitability rules. Some routes have additional, route-specific criteria.

Residence

Qualifying residence period

You must complete the qualifying period on an eligible route (for example, Partner/Spouse, Skilled Worker, UK Ancestry, Family/Private Life, or Domestic Violence). Some routes allow combination with time in other categories; some do not.

  • Continuous residence: assessed under Appendix Continuous Residence (for work-type routes, check permitted absences and evidence of ties).
  • Route-specific rules: the Partner route focuses on genuine/ongoing relationship and residence on that route; work routes look at eligible categories and sponsor compliance.
Absences

Time outside the UK

For many work-based settlement routes, absences are capped and calculated over a rolling 12-month period. Keep clear records (travel history, employer letters, evidence of reasons for travel).

  • Calculate against the qualifying period on your route.
  • Retain boarding passes, visas, stamps, employer letters (where relevant).
English

Knowledge of English (Appendix English Language)

Most adult applicants must show English at B1 or above (CEFR) via an approved test, a qualifying UK/overseas degree taught in English, or nationality from a designated English-speaking country. Exemptions apply in limited circumstances (e.g., age or long residence in specific family routes).

  • Use an approved SELT provider where testing is required.
  • Degree taught in English: include NARIC/ECCTIS confirmation if awarded overseas.
Life in the UK

Life in the UK test (KoLL)

Most adult applicants must pass the Life in the UK test unless an exemption applies under the Home Office Knowledge of language and life in the UK guidance (e.g., age or medical reasons).

  • Book early and keep your unique reference number for the application.
  • Some routes (e.g., bereaved partner/domestic abuse) can have specific considerations—ask us for tailored advice.
Suitability

General grounds for refusal

All ILR applicants are checked against suitability rules (e.g., criminality, deception, NHS debts, compliance with immigration conditions). Evidence of good character and compliance strengthens your case.

  • Disclose relevant history and provide any mitigation up front.
  • Ensure previous immigration conditions were followed.
Evidence

Typical documents & how we prepare them

We map your documents to the rules and prepare a clean, indexed PDF bundle for upload.

  • Identity & status: passport(s), BRP/eVisa, previous grants.
  • Residence & absences: travel history, employer letters, tenancy/council tax, utility bills.
  • Route-specific: partner evidence (joint finances, cohabitation), sponsor/salary for Skilled Worker, employment for Ancestry, safeguarding evidence for Domestic Violence.
  • KoLL: Life in the UK pass ref, English test/degree proof (if required).

Important: ILR rules vary by route. We’ll confirm exactly which requirements apply to you before filing. Guidance referenced: Knowledge of Language and Life (KoLL), Appendix English Language, and Continuous Residence.

Book a Consultation Free Eligibility Check

Fees & processing times

Current Home Office fees and typical decision timelines. Priority options may be available on some ILR routes.
Figures below are based on official guidance as at 1 July 2025.

Application fee

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

£3,029

Standard in-country ILR fee for main applicants (route-specific eligibility applies).

  • No IHS surcharge for ILR applications.
  • Biometrics are required; UKVCAS booking included (core service).

Source: Home Office fees tables; Long Residence page confirms £3,029 for ILR.

KoLL

Life in the UK Test

£50

Book at least 3 days in advance at an approved centre.

  • Keep your unique reference number for the application.

Source: GOV.UK — Life in the UK Test.

Priority

Faster decision services

Priority: +£500
Super Priority: +£1,000

Availability varies by route/location at checkout.

  • Priority usually aims for a decision within 5 working days (where available).
  • Super Priority aims for next working day after biometrics (where offered).

Source: GOV.UK — faster decision guidance & fees table.

Timelines

Typical processing times

Standard: up to ~6 months

Exact times vary by route, evidence and capacity. Do not travel outside the CTA while a UK ILR application is pending.

  • Check the latest in-country processing times before you apply.
  • Priority options (if available) reduce the waiting time.

Source: GOV.UK — processing times (inside the UK); Long Residence page travel rule.

Important: Fees and service availability can change. We’ll confirm the latest at the point of filing and advise on Priority/Super Priority availability at your chosen UKVCAS centre.

Book a Consultation Free Eligibility Check

ILR FAQs

Quick answers to common questions about Indefinite Leave to Remain. For tailored advice on your facts, book a consultation.

Can I travel while my ILR application is pending?

Generally, leaving the UK before a decision can affect your application. If you must travel, ask us first so we can explain the risks and timing options.

Do I need the Life in the UK test and an English certificate?

Most adult applicants need to show both: a Life in the UK pass reference and English at the required level (or an accepted exemption). We’ll confirm what applies to your route.

What counts as “continuous residence” and how are absences treated?

Continuous residence means living in the UK for the qualifying period without long or frequent gaps. Some routes set specific limits on time spent abroad. We’ll calculate your absences and advise on evidence (travel history, employer letters, etc.).

Can I combine time from different visas toward ILR?

Some routes allow you to combine time spent in eligible categories, while others require the full period on the same route. We’ll map your immigration history and confirm whether your time is eligible.

My partner/child is applying with me — what do they need?

Dependants usually need to show their own qualifying residence on a permitted dependant route and meet suitability rules. We’ll confirm what applies to your family and prepare a single, well-indexed bundle.

What happens if my application is refused?

We review the decision and advise on next steps — correcting errors, providing further evidence, or exploring review/appeal routes where available. Acting quickly is important.

Will I get a BRP or an online status?

Status is increasingly verified online. We’ll guide you on accessing and sharing your status and what to do with any physical documents you may still hold.

When should I apply for British citizenship after ILR?

Timing depends on your route and residence history (and whether you’re married to a British citizen). We’ll set a personalised roadmap once ILR is granted.

Do ILR applications include the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)?

ILR applications do not normally include IHS, but some pre-ILR applications do. We’ll confirm all fees before filing.

What supporting documents make the strongest case?

Clear identity evidence, clean residence/absence records, route-specific proofs (e.g., relationship or employment), and KoLL where needed — all cross-referenced to the rules in an indexed PDF. We provide checklists and templates.

Book a Consultation Free Eligibility Check

Why choose UK Legal Solutions for ILR?

Decision-ready applications, clear checklists, and responsive support — from eligibility to outcome.

Expertise

Specialist immigration practice

Our team focuses exclusively on UK immigration and settlement routes. We ensure every ILR application follows the latest Home Office guidance.

  • Route mapping & risk assessment
  • Up-to-date with Home Office rules
  • Clear escalation path on complex issues
Quality

Decision-ready bundles

We build clean, indexed PDF bundles with consistent evidence labels that mirror the rules — making it easy for caseworkers to verify.

  • Tailored document checklists
  • Indexing & pagination
  • Targeted legal submissions
Service

Responsive, fixed-fee support

Transparent fees and proactive updates. We aim to reply promptly and keep your timeline on track.

  • Fixed-fee quotes
  • WhatsApp / email updates
  • Remote or in-person appointments
Compliance

Filed on time, filed correctly

We double-check forms, fees, and accuracy, and guide UKVCAS uploads / biometrics so nothing critical is missed.

  • Pre-submission review
  • Priority / Super Priority where available
  • Post-decision guidance

What’s included

  • Eligibility & route confirmation (including absences / residence checks)
  • Custom evidence checklist & templates
  • Drafting of legal representations
  • Application preparation and filing
  • Biometrics / ID verification support
  • Response to further information requests
  • Post-decision advice (eVisa / BRP, citizenship roadmap)
Book a Consultation Free Eligibility Check

Ready to start your ILR application?

Talk to us about your route, timeline, and documents. Remote and in-person options available.

Book a Consultation Free Eligibility Check
Confidential, fixed-fee consultations. Urgent timelines accommodated where possible.