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ILR Requirements UK

Everything you need to know about Indefinite Leave to Remain eligibility: qualifying period, continuous residence, English language, Life in the UK test, and good character.

The 5-year qualifying period is current law. The proposed 10-year 'earned settlement' model is NOT yet in force.

A proposed "earned settlement" system that would require 10 years of residence before ILR was consulted on, but has not become law. The current qualifying period remains 5 years.

Qualifying Period

To be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain, you must have completed a qualifying period of continuous residence in the UK. The length of this period depends on your visa route:

Current Qualifying Period

5 years

Last checked: 24 August 2026Verify current figure on gov.uk

The proposed "earned settlement" model (10 years) is not yet in force and must not be relied on for planning.

Continuous Residence

You must have lived in the UK continuously throughout your qualifying period. "Continuous" means that you have not been outside the UK for more than the permitted number of days in any given 12-month period. For most routes, the limit is 180 days of absence in any 12-month period during the qualifying period.

Read our detailed absences guide →

English Language Requirement

You must demonstrate English language ability at B1 level on the CEFR scale. This can be met by passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) at a recognised provider, or by holding a degree that was taught or researched in English and is recognised by UK ENIC.

Skilled Worker English Requirement

B1, rising to B2 from 2027-03-26

Last checked: 24 August 2026Verify current figure on gov.uk

Life in the UK Test

All ILR applicants aged 18-65 must pass the Life in the UK test. The test covers British history, values, traditions, and everyday life. You must book and take the test at an approved test centre before submitting your ILR application. The test costs £50 per attempt and is non-refundable if you fail.

Good Character Requirement

You must be of good character to qualify for ILR. This means:

Financial Requirement

For most routes, you must demonstrate that you can support yourself and any dependants without recourse to public funds. For Skilled Worker ILR, you must typically have been earning at or above the salary threshold for your route.

Skilled Worker Salary Threshold

£41,700

General threshold. The actual requirement is the higher of this or the SOC-code "going rate" for your specific occupation.

Last checked: 24 August 2026Verify current figure on gov.uk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the qualifying period for ILR?

The qualifying period for most ILR routes is 5 years of continuous residence in the UK. This includes Skilled Worker, Spouse/Partner (5-year route), UK Ancestry, Global Talent, and Innovator Founder routes. The Long Residence route requires 10 years of continuous residence. A proposed 'earned settlement' model requiring 10 years for all routes has been consulted on but is NOT yet in law.

What are the English language requirements for ILR?

You must demonstrate English language ability at B1 level on the CEFR scale. For Skilled Worker visa holders, the requirement is B1, rising to B2 from 26 March 2027. You can meet this by passing an approved SELT (Secure English Language Test) or holding a qualifying degree taught or researched in English.

What is the good character requirement for ILR?

All ILR applicants must meet the good character requirement. This means you must not have unspent criminal convictions, must not have been involved in serious criminal activity, and must have complied with UK immigration laws. The Home Office will check your criminal record and immigration history as part of the application.

Can I apply for ILR if I have been outside the UK for long periods?

Absences from the UK can affect your eligibility. For most routes, you must not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period during the qualifying period. Excessive absences can break your continuous residence and reset or extend your qualifying period. See our absences guide for detailed rules.

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