Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Guide 2026: How to Get Settled Status in Manchester

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is the immigration status that gives you the right to live, work and study in the United Kingdom permanently, free from time restrictions on your stay. It is often called settlement or permanent residence, and for most people it is the final step before applying for British citizenship. This 2026 guide from the immigration team at MCR Solicitors in Manchester explains who qualifies, the main routes to settlement, the continuous residence and knowledge-of-life requirements, and how to give your application the best possible chance of success.

Immigration law changes frequently, and the Home Office updates fees, thresholds and processing times regularly. We set out the framework below, but you should always confirm the current figures and rules on gov.uk or by speaking to a qualified immigration solicitor before you apply.

What is Indefinite Leave to Remain?

ILR removes the conditions attached to your existing visa. Once you hold settled status you can:

• Live in the UK without any time limit on your stay.
• Work for any employer, be self-employed or run a business without needing sponsorship.
• Study without restriction.
• Access public funds and certain benefits, subject to the ordinary eligibility rules.
• Sponsor eligible family members to join you, subject to the applicable requirements.
• Apply for British citizenship once you meet the separate qualifying rules.

ILR is not the same as British citizenship. You will not hold a British passport or be able to vote in general elections until you naturalise. ILR can also be lost in certain circumstances, which we explain later in this guide.

ILR, settled status and the EU Settlement Scheme

People sometimes confuse ILR with settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). Settled status is a form of indefinite leave granted to eligible EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members. Traditional ILR is granted through the main immigration routes such as work and family visas. The requirements, application forms and evidence differ, so it is important to identify which scheme applies to you before you apply.

Who is eligible for ILR?

There is no single route to settlement. Your eligibility depends on the visa you currently hold and how long you have lawfully lived in the UK. In broad terms, most applicants must show that they have:

• Completed a qualifying period of continuous, lawful residence on an eligible visa (commonly five years, though some routes differ).
• Met the continuous residence requirement without excessive absences from the UK.
• Passed the Life in the UK test.
• Met the English language requirement.
• Continued to meet the requirements of their current route, for example any salary or relationship requirement.
• Satisfied the suitability and good character requirements, including in relation to criminal convictions and immigration history.

The main routes to settlement

Skilled Worker and work routes

People on the Skilled Worker route can usually apply for ILR after five years of continuous lawful residence in the UK, provided their sponsoring employer still needs them in the role, they continue to be paid at or above the required salary level, and the other requirements are met. The relevant application form is generally SET(O). Salary thresholds for settlement change periodically, so check the current figure on gov.uk before applying.

Spouse, partner and family routes

If you are in the UK as the partner of a British citizen or a person who is settled here, you can normally apply for ILR after completing the family route, which is typically five years on the partner route. You will usually need to show a genuine and subsisting relationship, that you continue to meet the financial requirement, and that you have adequate accommodation. The application form is generally SET(M). Note that some family applicants are placed on a ten-year route rather than a five-year route, so the qualifying period depends on your specific circumstances.

Global Talent, Innovator Founder and business routes

Some high-skilled and business routes allow settlement after a shorter period. For example, Global Talent visa holders may qualify for ILR after three or five years depending on the endorsement and route, and Innovator Founder applicants may settle after three years where the business criteria are met. The requirements are route-specific, so it is essential to check the exact rules that apply to your visa category.

Long residence (10 years)

The long residence route allows some people to settle after ten years of continuous lawful residence in the UK, even where they have moved between different visa categories. This route has its own detailed requirements, including strict rules on continuous residence and lawful status, and it is applied for using form SET(LR). Long residence applications are often complex, particularly where there have been gaps or overstaying, and specialist advice is strongly recommended.

Other routes

Other categories with their own settlement rules include refugees and those with humanitarian protection, victims of domestic abuse whose relationship has broken down, dependent children, and adult dependent relatives. Each has distinct eligibility criteria and evidence requirements.

Continuous residence and the absence rules

Most settlement routes require you to show continuous residence throughout your qualifying period. For many routes, you must not have been absent from the UK for more than 180 days in any rolling 12-month period during the qualifying years. Exceeding this limit can break the continuity of your residence and reset the clock, so it is vital to keep an accurate record of your travel.

The way absences are counted, and the exceptions that may apply (for example serious illness, compelling compassionate circumstances or research travel on certain routes), differ between visa categories and have changed over time. Because the rules on absences are technical and unforgiving, we recommend checking your travel history carefully against the specific requirements of your route well before you apply.

The Life in the UK test

Almost all ILR applicants aged between 18 and 65 must pass the Life in the UK test. This is a computer-based test of 24 questions on British traditions, history, culture and the law, taken at an approved test centre. You must book it in advance and take official identification with you. There is a fee to sit the test, and if you do not pass you can rebook and try again. Keep your pass notification letter safely, as you will need to refer to it when you apply for ILR and, later, for citizenship.

The English language requirement

Most applicants must show that they meet the required standard of English, generally at least CEFR level B1 in speaking and listening. You can usually meet this by:

• Passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) at the required level.
• Holding a degree that was taught or researched in English, confirmed by Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) where the degree was obtained outside the UK.
• Being a national of a majority English-speaking country recognised by the Home Office.

Some applicants are exempt, for example on grounds of age or a long-term physical or mental condition. If you met the English requirement at an earlier stage of the same route, you may not need to prove it again, but you should confirm this against the current rules.

Suitability and good character

Even where you meet the residence and knowledge requirements, your application can be refused on suitability grounds. The Home Office will consider your immigration history and any criminal convictions. Serious or persistent offending, deception in a previous application, or significant unpaid Home Office debts can all lead to refusal. If you have any criminal record, cautions, or previous immigration problems, take advice before applying so that these issues can be addressed properly.

How to apply for ILR: step by step

1. Confirm your route and qualifying date. Identify which settlement route applies and check that you have completed the required continuous residence period.
2. Sit the Life in the UK test and, if required, complete an approved English language test.
3. Gather your evidence. This typically includes your passport and current visa, proof of residence and absences, and route-specific documents such as payslips, sponsorship details or relationship evidence.
4. Complete the correct online form, for example SET(O), SET(M) or SET(LR), and pay the application fee and any relevant charges.
5. Book and attend a biometrics appointment to provide your fingerprints and photograph and to verify your documents.
6. Await the decision. A standard service and faster priority or super priority services are usually available for an additional fee, where offered for your route.

Because a settlement application is a significant investment and refusals can be difficult and costly to challenge, many applicants choose to have their application reviewed by an immigration solicitor before submission.

Fees and processing times

ILR applications carry a substantial Home Office fee, and there are additional charges for optional priority services and for the Life in the UK and English language tests. Standard applications are typically decided within the Home Office service standard, with priority and super priority options offering faster decisions where available. Fees and processing times change regularly, so always check the current figures on gov.uk before you apply and budget accordingly.

Your eVisa and proving your status

The UK has moved from physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) to a digital eVisa system. Once you are granted ILR, your settled status is recorded online and linked to your UKVI account. You should create and maintain a UKVI account so that you can view and share proof of your status, for example when travelling, renting a home or starting a new job. Keep the passport or travel document linked to your account up to date.

Can you lose ILR?

ILR is not necessarily permanent in every situation. Your settled status can lapse or be revoked if you:

• Spend a continuous period outside the UK of two years or more, which can cause ILR to lapse. If this happens you may need to apply for a Returning Resident visa to come back.
• Are convicted of a serious criminal offence and become subject to deportation.
• Obtained your status by deception.

If you hold ILR and are planning a long period abroad, take advice first so that you do not inadvertently lose your status.

From ILR to British citizenship

ILR is usually a stepping stone to naturalisation as a British citizen. In most cases you must have held ILR for at least 12 months before you can apply for citizenship, although spouses of British citizens can often apply as soon as they are granted ILR, provided the other requirements are met. Naturalisation has its own residence, good character and knowledge requirements, and you can reuse your Life in the UK test pass. We can advise on the best time for you to apply.

Proposed changes to settlement rules

The rules on settlement are kept under review, and the Government has consulted on and proposed reforms to the qualifying periods for ILR, including proposals to lengthen the standard route to settlement for some categories. Proposals are not the same as law, and transitional arrangements often apply to people already on an existing route. Because this area is changing, it is more important than ever to check the current position on gov.uk and to take up-to-date advice before making decisions about your immigration status.

Common reasons ILR applications are refused

• Excessive absences that break the continuous residence requirement.
• A gap in lawful status or a period of overstaying during the qualifying period.
• Failing to meet a salary, financial or relationship requirement at the date of application.
• Not having passed the Life in the UK test or met the English language requirement.
• Suitability issues such as criminal convictions or previous use of deception.
• Incomplete evidence or errors on the application form.

Most of these problems can be identified and addressed before you apply. A pre-submission review by an experienced solicitor is often the difference between a smooth approval and a stressful refusal.

How MCR Solicitors can help

Our Manchester-based immigration team advises applicants across all of the main settlement routes, from Skilled Worker and family applications to complex long residence cases. We can assess your eligibility, calculate your qualifying date and absences, review your evidence, complete and check your application, and represent you if a problem arises. We act for clients throughout Greater Manchester and across the UK.

If you are approaching the end of your qualifying period, or you are unsure whether you meet the requirements, speak to us early so that any issues can be resolved in good time.

Speak to an immigration solicitor today

To discuss your Indefinite Leave to Remain application with a qualified solicitor, call MCR Solicitors on 0161 466 1280 or contact us to arrange an initial consultation. Getting the right advice before you apply gives your settlement application the best possible chance of success.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get ILR after applying?

Standard ILR applications are usually decided within the Home Office service standard, and many are decided within around six months. Priority and super priority services, where available for your route, can produce a decision much more quickly for an additional fee. Processing times change, so check the current position on gov.uk.

How many days can I be absent from the UK before applying for ILR?

For many routes you must not have more than 180 days of absence in any rolling 12-month period during your qualifying years. The way absences are counted and the exceptions that apply vary between routes, so check the specific rules for your visa and keep an accurate travel record.

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

Yes, most applicants aged 18 to 65 must pass the Life in the UK test before applying for settlement. You take it at an approved test centre and keep your pass notification, which you will also be able to use when you apply for British citizenship.

What is the difference between ILR and British citizenship?

ILR gives you the permanent right to live and work in the UK, but you remain a foreign national. British citizenship, obtained through naturalisation, makes you a British citizen with the right to hold a British passport and vote. You usually need to hold ILR before you can apply to naturalise.

Can I lose my Indefinite Leave to Remain?

Yes. ILR can lapse if you spend two or more continuous years outside the UK, and it can be revoked following a serious criminal conviction leading to deportation or where it was obtained by deception. If you plan a long period abroad, take advice before you travel.

Do I still get a BRP card with ILR?

No. The UK has moved to a digital eVisa system, so your settled status is recorded online and linked to your UKVI account rather than issued as a physical card. You should set up and maintain your UKVI account so you can view and prove your status when needed.