Indefinite Leave to Remain, sometimes referred to as settlement, is the permission to live, work, and study in the UK without any time limit or immigration conditions. Once you have ILR, you are no longer subject to immigration control and can access most public services in the same way as a British citizen. ILR is also the step before eligibility for British citizenship by naturalisation for most applicants.
The qualifying period for ILR varies depending on the visa route you are on. Most work routes such as the Skilled Worker Visa require five years of continuous residence. Family routes typically require five years as well. At the time of applying, you must meet the relevant requirements including continuous residence, absences from the UK within permitted limits, English language, and the Life in the UK test unless exempt. The UK government has announced “earned settlement” reforms that would lengthen the standard qualifying period for many routes. When this page was last reviewed (October 2026) the new rules had not yet been brought into force and the transitional arrangements had not been published, so the requirements that apply to you depend on when you apply. We recommend seeking up to date legal advice before you apply.
NARA Solicitors advises clients on eligibility, timing, and the documentation required for ILR applications across a range of visa routes. We also advise on absences from the UK that may have affected your continuous residence, and on whether there are any issues in your immigration history that need to be addressed before you apply.
