Settle in the United Kingdom

You apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) through UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). ILR allows you to live and work in the United Kingdom without time limits and can lead to British Citizenship.

You must qualify under an eligible route before you apply. Most applicants qualify after living and working in the UK for five years on a work visa, after ten years of continuous residence, through a settled partner or family member, or through a UK Ancestry visa or right of abode.

Check Your Eligibility

Confirm that you meet one of the recognised pathways. Common routes include:

• Five years on a qualifying work visa
• Ten years of continuous lawful residence
• A settled partner or qualifying family relationship
• Commonwealth citizens with a UK Ancestry visa or right of abode

If you do not qualify through family, you must apply under another eligible category.

You must also meet any income requirements that apply to your route. Income can include:

• Wages
• Benefits
• Pension payments
• Savings interest
• Self‑employment earnings
• Rental income

Prepare and Submit Your Application

Follow these steps in order:

Confirm your qualifying period.

Ensure you have completed the required residence period, such as five years on a work visa or ten years continuously in the UK.

Gather financial evidence.

Collect proof of income from all accepted sources, including employment, self‑employment, pensions, savings interest, or rental property.

Complete the correct ILR application form.

Use the form that matches your immigration category and personal circumstances.

Submit your application to UKVI.

Follow the instructions provided by UKVI. For current fees and required documents, refer to UK Visas and Immigration guidance.

Wait for a decision.

UKVI measures processing times against published customer service standards. Review current timelines directly through UKVI, as they can change.

UKVI decides your application. Processing times vary, so you need to plan ahead if your current permission to stay is close to expiring.

After You Receive ILR

Once UKVI grants ILR, you may live and work in the UK without immigration time limits. If you meet the relevant requirements, ILR can serve as the next step toward applying for British Citizenship.

If you need official guidance in Welsh, UKVI also provides this information in Cymraeg.

You must prepare your documents before you start your application. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will not begin processing until you verify your identity and submit your documents.

Incomplete evidence delays decisions. In some cases, it can lead to refusal.

Core Identity and Biometric Evidence

You must provide biometric information, which includes:

• Fingerprints
• A digital photograph

You will submit this either through the UK Immigration: ID Check app or at a visa application centre, if required.

Processing begins only after you verify your identity and upload your documents online. If you leave your passport at a visa application centre, return only when you are contacted.

Residence and Eligibility Evidence

If you apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), you will usually need to show that you have lived and worked in the UK for five years.

Your evidence may include documents that confirm:

• Your period of residence
• Your employment history
• Your lawful status in the UK

Applications for British Citizenship also require proof of your status and time spent in the UK. Keep clear records of your immigration history.

Financial and Tax Records

If you previously lived in the UK and later returned, you may have tax obligations on UK income or gains earned while you were abroad.

Keep:

• Income records
• Evidence of overseas gains
• Any UK tax documentation

If you are unsure about your position, consult official guidance before submitting your application.

Application and Submission Process

Follow these steps in order:

1. Gather your documents before starting the online form. Prepare identity, residence, and employment evidence in advance.

Complete your application online.

Upload all required documents during this stage.

Verify your identity.

Use the UK Immigration: ID Check app or attend a visa application centre if instructed.

Submit biometrics if required.

Processing starts only after identity verification and document submission.

Check UKVI guidance for current processing times and procedural updates. Requirements can change, and you must follow the instructions that apply on the date you apply.

Before you plan your move, confirm that you meet the requirements for long‑term residence. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) decides whether you qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or, later, British Citizenship.

Different visa routes lead to settlement at different speeds. Some categories allow you to qualify sooner, while others require a longer period of residence.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

You must hold a visa that leads to settlement. The time you need to wait depends on your visa type.

For example, some Tier 1 visa holders may become eligible after two to three years. Other routes take longer. If you qualify in more than one way, you can choose the route that best fits your circumstances.

UKVI publishes standard processing times. If you paid for a faster decision, your timeline may differ.

When processing time has passed and UKVI has not contacted you, you should contact UKVI directly. You will receive a letter or email once a decision has been made.

British Citizenship

You may qualify for British Citizenship after meeting the residence and status requirements. In some cases, you may apply if you were born in the UK but did not automatically become a British citizen.

Citizenship applications also follow published processing times. UKVI will notify you when a decision is complete.

Financial and Tax Position

Settlement affects your tax responsibilities. You will pay Income Tax on income above your Personal Allowance.

You will pay Capital Gains Tax on profits above your Annual Exempt Amount. However, you may not have to pay UK tax on certain foreign income or gains if you qualify under the foreign income and gains regime.

Review your financial position before you apply. Tax status can affect your long‑term plans in the UK.

Practical Checks Before Applying

Confirm the following:

• Your current visa allows a path to settlement
• You have completed the required qualifying period
• You understand UKVI processing times
• You can meet UK tax obligations if required

If you are unsure about your timeline or eligibility, check the guidance from UKVI before submitting your application.

When UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) grants you Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), you gain permanent residence in the United Kingdom.

You can live, work, and study in the UK for as long as you like. You no longer rely on a temporary visa with an expiry date.

ILR removes most immigration time limits, but it does not remove your legal responsibilities.

Freedom to Live and Work

With ILR, you can:

• Work without time restrictions
• Study without needing a separate student visa
• Remain in the UK permanently

You do not need to renew a visa to continue your employment or education. Your right to stay does not expire under normal circumstances.

If you later choose to apply for British Citizenship, ILR usually forms the foundation for that application. Citizenship is a separate process with its own eligibility rules and decision by UKVI.

Application and UKVI Processing

You apply for ILR once you meet the eligibility requirements under your immigration route.

UKVI assesses your:

• Work history in the UK
• Periods of residence
• Family ties in the UK
• Details of your current or previous visas

processing times follow the UK working week (Monday to Friday) and include public holidays. UKVI publishes current timelines, and you should check the official government source before applying.

In some situations, you may not need to apply for ILR if you qualify under the foreign income and gains regime. You must assess your position carefully before deciding.

Tax Responsibilities After Settlement

Permanent residence does not exempt you from UK tax.

If you live, work, or study in the UK, you must pay tax on your income. You may also pay tax if you sell certain assets, such as shares or a second home, at a profit.

Your tax position depends on your UK residence status:

• If you are not UK resident, you generally do not pay UK tax on foreign income.
• If you are UK resident, you normally pay UK tax on foreign income.

You may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income received before 6 April 2025 if your permanent home (domicile) was outside the UK.

You must review your residence status carefully, especially if you previously lived in the UK and later returned.

People who apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) often mention that small procedural mistakes create large delays. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) assesses your application based on strict timing and accuracy.

You must pay close attention to when you submit and what you declare.

Scenario: Applying Too Early for ILR

You reach the end of your qualifying residence period and feel ready to secure Indefinite Leave to Remain.

One applicant calculated the date incorrectly and submitted the ILR form more than 28 days before meeting the residency requirement.

UKVI did not overlook the timing issue. The application did not meet the eligibility rules because it was filed too early.

You must count your qualifying period carefully and submit no earlier than the permitted window. Filing ahead of time can undermine months or years of lawful residence.

Scenario: Errors on the ILR Application Form

Another applicant focused on speed rather than accuracy. They completed the ILR form quickly and failed to review key sections before submission.

UKVI relies entirely on the information you provide. Incomplete or inconsistent answers raise concerns and can slow decision-making.

You must check every section before submission.

• Confirm personal details match official records.
• Ensure travel history is consistent.
• Review declarations carefully.

Accuracy strengthens your application. Careless mistakes weaken it.

Scenario: Travelling

While Waiting for a Decision One applicant applied for ILR and then left the United Kingdom before UKVI issued a decision. They assumed travel would not affect the pending application.

Leaving the UK before receiving a decision caused the application to be treated as withdrawn. The applicant had to reassess their position before proceeding again.

If you apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, remain in the UK until UKVI decides your case. Travel during this period can interrupt the process.