Spouse Visa ILR Calculator
Check your continuous residence and find your earliest ILR application date on the spouse/partner route.
The Spouse/Partner Route to ILR
The spouse or partner visa (5-year route) leads to ILR after 5 years of continuous residence. The key consideration for this route is evidence of a genuine and continuing relationship — the Home Office will want to see proof of cohabitation throughout the qualifying period. The financial requirement must also be met by your sponsor. The absence limit is the same 180-day rolling rule as other routes.
ILR Qualifying Date Calculator
The date your qualifying visa began, or the date you entered the UK (whichever is later).
Add each trip you have made outside the UK during your qualifying period. Both the departure day and return day count as days in the UK and are not counted as absences.
Defaults to today. The Home Office counts rolling windows from the application date, any date up to 28 days after it, or the decision date — whichever is most beneficial. This tool uses the application date (the conservative view).
Permitted absences: Humanitarian or emergency work, travel disruption, and compassionate circumstances can be discounted from the 180-day limit. If you think any of these apply, seek advice from an OISC-registered adviser — this tool does not model them.
Window counting: The Home Office assesses rolling windows counting back from whichever is most beneficial: the application date, any date up to 28 days after it, or the decision date. This tool uses the application date, which is the conservative view.
Other breaks not modelled: Gaps in lawful leave, overstaying, or time in the UK as a visitor break continuous residence and are not counted here.
Crown dependencies: Time with permission in Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man can count toward continuous residence.
Indicative only: This is an indicative planning tool, not immigration advice. Always verify your specific circumstances before applying.
This calculator uses a qualifying period of 5 years (sourced from gov.uk, verified, last checked 24/08/2026) — view source. Long Residence uses a 10-year period with transitional rules applied for absences before 11 April 2024.
What Makes the Spouse Visa Route Different
Cohabitation evidence: Unlike work routes, the spouse route is fundamentally about proving your relationship is genuine and continuing. You will need joint utility bills, bank statements, tenancy agreements, or letters addressed to both of you at the same address — spread across the full 5-year period, not just recent months.
Sponsor financial evidence: Your sponsor (the British or settled partner) must demonstrate that the financial requirement is met. This is separate from your own income and involves payslips, bank statements, and an employer letter, or savings evidence.
Fast-track to citizenship: Once you have ILR on the spouse route, you can apply for British citizenship immediately — you do not need to wait the usual 12 months. This is a significant advantage of the spouse route.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get ILR on a spouse visa?
The qualifying period for spouse visa ILR is 5 years of continuous residence in the UK. You can apply up to 28 days before the 5-year anniversary of your visa start date. Use the calculator above to find your exact date.
Does the spouse visa route have a different absence limit?
No. The spouse visa route uses the same rolling 180-day absence limit as most other routes. You must not spend more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period during your qualifying period.
What evidence do I need for spouse visa ILR?
In addition to standard ILR documents, you will need your marriage certificate, proof of cohabitation (joint bills, tenancy agreements, bank statements), and your sponsor's financial evidence. See our spouse visa documents checklist for the full list.
Can I apply for ILR immediately if I am married to a British citizen?
If you are on the spouse visa 5-year route, you must complete the full 5-year qualifying period. However, once you have ILR, you can apply for British citizenship immediately (without the usual 12-month wait) because you are married to a British citizen.
Need the Full Document Checklist?
See exactly what documents to gather for your spouse visa ILR application.
View Spouse Visa Checklist