In short
Indefinite leave to remain (ILR), also called settlement, lets you live, work and study in the UK without a time limit. Most work routes have required 5 years in the UK, but the government has consulted on reforming settlement and had not published the outcome when we last checked, so confirm the current rule for your route before you plan around a date.
Published 10 October 2026. Sources last checked 10 October 2026.
What indefinite leave to remain gives you
According to GOV.UK, ILR lets you live, work and study in the UK for as long as you like, apply for benefits and pensions if you are eligible, and apply for British citizenship. It is a form of immigration permission, not citizenship.
Routes that can lead to settlement
GOV.UK lists several routes, each with its own requirements. The qualifying period depends on the route you are on, not just how long you have been in the UK.
| Route | What GOV.UK says |
|---|---|
| Work visas | Usually 5 years living and working in the UK; some visas have a salary or financial requirement. |
| Tier 1 visas | Some holders qualify after 2 or 3 years. |
| Innovator Founder and Global Talent | Eligible after 3 years. |
| UK Ancestry | Commonwealth citizens may apply after 5 years. |
| British National (Overseas) | May apply after 5 years in the UK. |
| Long residence | Eligible after 10 years or more living in the UK. |
| Family of someone settled in the UK | Possible where your partner, parent, child or other relative is British or has ILR. Requirements vary by relationship. |
| EU, EEA or Swiss citizens | May be able to apply for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme instead. |
What may be changing
The Home Office published a consultation on reforming settlement, open from 20 November 2025 to 12 February 2026. GOV.UK states that settlement will no longer be granted automatically after a fixed period, and its consultation page said the outcome had not yet been published when we checked.
Published commentary on the consultation reports a proposal to lengthen the baseline qualifying period to 10 years for most routes. We have not seen this confirmed in the Immigration Rules, and whether people already in the UK would be protected from any change had not been confirmed. Treat any date you have worked out from the old 5-year rule as provisional.
Before you plan an application
- Check which route you are on and the qualifying period that applies to it today.
- Count time spent outside the UK. Most routes limit absences, and the limits differ by route.
- Check whether you need to pass the Life in the UK test and show English language ability. Most settlement routes require both, and the evidence required changes.
- Gather evidence of continuous lawful residence, and note any gaps, overstays or earlier refusals, which can affect an application.
- Check the current fee and processing information on GOV.UK for your route.
When to get legal advice
Take advice if you have a gap in your permission, a long absence, an earlier refusal, a change of route, or you are close to a qualifying date while the rules are in flux. A solicitor can check your history against the rules that apply to you on the day you apply.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Settle in the UK (opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: Earned settlement consultation (closed) (opens in a new tab)
General information only, not legal advice. Immigration rules, fees and processing times change; your circumstances need individual consideration.