ILR Application Requirements 2026

To qualify for ILR, you generally need the required 3, 5 or 10 years' qualifying residence, meet the applicable 180-day absence limit, pass the Life in the UK Test and meet the B1 English language requirement, where applicable.

The Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) requirements are not the same for everyone. A Skilled Worker, spouse of a British citizen, refugee, Innovator Founder and dependant may have different settlement rules. This guide explains the main ILR requirements and what you need to know before applying.

Table of Contents

What Are the Requirements for ILR in 2026?

Although the requirements vary by route, you may need to show that you:

• Have completed the required qualifying period.
• Meet the continuous residence requirements (3, 5, or 10 years).
• Have not exceeded the permitted absence limits.
• Meet the English language requirement, where applicable.
• Have passed the Life in the UK Test, where required.
• Meet the financial or employment requirements for your route.
• Meet the suitability requirements.
• Provide the required supporting documents.

Your specific immigration route determines which requirements apply to you.

ILR Qualifying Period

The qualifying period depends on the route you are applying under.

These are general periods, and exceptions or route-specific rules may apply. For example, Skilled Worker settlement requires 5 years of qualifying residence, while Innovator Founder settlement requires 3 years on the relevant route.

ILR Continuous Residence Requirement

For routes covered by Appendix Continuous Residence, you must complete the required qualifying period without breaking continuous residence. Generally, you must not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period, subject to the rules and exceptions applicable to your route.

You should keep an accurate record of:

• UK departure dates
• UK return dates
• Countries visited
• Reasons for travel
• Total days outside the UK

Different rules can apply to older absences and certain immigration routes, so your travel history should be checked against the rules applicable to your application.

English Language Requirement for ILR

Most ILR applicants must prove their English language ability at B1 level or above in speaking and listening, unless an exemption applies. You may also meet the requirement through an eligible degree taught in English or other accepted evidence.

Note: For many settlement routes, the requirement is due to increase from B1 to B2 for applications made on or after 26 March 2027.

Life in the UK Test Requirement

Most ILR applicants aged 18 to 64 must pass the Life in the UK Test before applying for settlement, unless an exemption applies. The test costs £50 and requires a score of 75% or more to pass.

You may be exempt if you are under 18, aged 65 or over, or have a qualifying long-term physical or mental condition

ILR Requirements for Spouse of a British Citizen (5-Year Route)

If you are applying for ILR as the spouse or partner of a British citizen, you may qualify under the 5-year family visa route if you have lived continuously in the UK for the required period as a partner.

Generally, you need to show that:

• You have completed 5 years on the qualifying partner route.
• Your relationship with your British or settled partner is genuine and continuing.
• You intend to continue living together permanently in the UK.
• You meet the financial requirement, where applicable.
• You meet the English language requirement.
• You have passed the Life in the UK Test, unless exempt.
• You meet the continuous residence and suitability requirements.

Under the standard 5-year partner route, you must complete 5 years in the UK as a partner on the qualifying family visa. Time spent in the UK on another visa generally cannot be counted towards this particular 5-year family route.

The earliest application date for a family-route settlement application is generally 28 days before you complete the required period.

ILR Requirements for a Skilled Worker (5-Year Route)

Most Skilled Worker Visa holders can apply for ILR after 5 years if they meet the residence, employment, salary, English language, and Life in the UK Test requirements.

The main ILR requirements are:

• 5 years of continuous residence in the UK.
• Employment with an approved sponsor at the time of application.
• Meeting the applicable salary threshold or going rate for your occupation.
• Passing the Life in the UK Test (unless exempt).
• Meeting the English language requirement (where applicable).
• Complying with the 180-day absence rules during the qualifying period.
• Meeting the Home Office suitability requirements, including having no serious criminal convictions or immigration breaches.

ILR Requirements for a Refugee (5-Year Route)

If you have refugee status or humanitarian protection, you may qualify for ILR after 5 years of continuous residence in the UK under the protection route. Your protection status must still be valid and must not have been revoked or renounced.

For protection-route ILR, you generally need to:

• Complete 5 years on the protection route.
• Meet the relevant settlement requirements.
• Continue to hold refugee status or humanitarian protection.
• Meet the applicable suitability requirements.
• Provide the required identity and supporting documents.

Important 2026 change: People who claimed asylum or made further submissions on or after 2 March 2026 may initially receive 30 months' protection rather than 5 years, so the settlement position can differ from those who claimed before this date.

ILR Requirements for an Innovator Founder Visa (3-Year Route)

Innovator Founder visa holders may qualify for ILR after 3 years in the UK if they meet the settlement requirements. You must have held permission as an Innovator Founder or Innovator for the required period and cannot count time spent on other visas.

To qualify, you generally need to:

• Complete 3 years on the Innovator Founder or Innovator route.
• Meet the continuous residence requirement, including the applicable 180-day absence limit.
• Obtain a settlement endorsement confirming your business has achieved the required progress and success.
• Remain actively involved in the day-to-day management and development of your business.
• Have an active, trading and sustainable business registered with Companies House.
• Meet at least two business success criteria, such as investment, revenue, customer growth, intellectual property or job creation.
• Pass the Life in the UK Test, unless exempt.
• Meet the suitability requirements for settlement.

You can generally apply up to 28 days before completing the 3-year qualifying period.

ILR Requirements for a Dependant Visa

If you are applying for ILR as a dependant, your requirements depend on your sponsor's visa route and whether you are a partner or child. For example, a dependant partner of a Skilled Worker will generally need 5 years of continuous residence in the UK as a dependant.

You may need to:

• Complete the required qualifying period, usually 5 years.
• Meet the continuous residence requirement, including the applicable absence limits.
• Continue to meet the relationship requirements with your partner or parent.
• Provide evidence of your dependant relationship.
• Meet the English language requirement, where applicable.
• Pass the Life in the UK Test, where required.
• Meet the financial requirements, where applicable.
• Meet the suitability requirements and provide supporting documents.

The exact rules vary depending on whether you are a dependant partner or child and whether your sponsor holds a Skilled Worker, Innovator Founder, Global Talent or another qualifying visa.

ILR Requirements for Long Residence (10-Year Route)

If you have lived in the UK lawfully and continuously for 10 years, you may qualify for ILR under the Long Residence route. You can usually combine time spent on different qualifying immigration routes, subject to the Immigration Rules.

To qualify, you generally need to:

• Complete 10 years of lawful residence in the UK.
• Meet the continuous residence requirement, including applicable absence limits.
• Meet the English language requirement, normally B1 before 26 March 2027.
• Pass the Life in the UK Test, unless exempt.
• Meet the suitability requirements.
• Hold valid immigration permission when applying.
• Provide the required supporting documents, including your current and previous passports and immigration status evidence.

For absences, the current rules generally allow up to 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period. Special transitional rules apply to certain absences that started before 11 April 2024, including the previous 184-day single-absence and 548-day total limits.

Important: Time spent as a visitor, Short-term Student, Seasonal Worker or under the Ukraine Scheme generally does not count towards the 10-year qualifying period.

ILR Financial Requirements

ILR financial requirements depend on your immigration route. Some routes require you to meet a minimum salary or income threshold, while others have no specific financial requirement.

• Skilled Worker: You must meet the applicable salary requirement for your sponsored job.
• Spouse or Partner: You generally need to meet the applicable family-route financial requirement, including the £29,000 minimum income requirement for the current 5-year route. Transitional rules may apply to applications based on an earlier partner application.
• Long Residence: There is no specific financial requirement under the 10-year Long Residence route.
• Dependant: Financial requirements can apply depending on your sponsor's route and circumstances.
• Other routes: Innovator Founder, Global Talent and other settlement routes have their own financial or route-specific requirements.

You may need to provide evidence such as payslips, bank statements, employer letters, tax records or other financial documents, depending on your route.

ILR Suitability Requirements

To qualify for ILR, you must meet the suitability requirements as well as the eligibility requirements for your immigration route. Your application may be refused because of certain criminal convictions, persistent offending, serious harm, deception, immigration breaches or other conduct that makes your presence in the UK unsuitable.

Common suitability issues include:

• Criminal convictions – Certain custodial or suspended sentences can lead to mandatory refusal.
• Persistent offending – Repeated offending may affect your application.
• Serious harm – Offences causing serious harm can result in refusal.
• Deception or false information – Providing false information or failing to disclose relevant information can affect suitability.
• Immigration breaches – Certain previous breaches of immigration rules may be relevant.
• Failure to provide information – Not providing required information, documents or biometrics without a reasonable excuse may cause problems.

If you have a criminal record, previous immigration breach or other suitability concerns, it is advisable to obtain professional immigration advice before submitting your ILR application.

Documents Needed for an ILR Application

The documents required depend on your route and circumstances. They may include:

• Your current passport or travel document.
• Your BRP or eVisa details.
• Evidence of your immigration status.
• Evidence of continuous residence.
• A complete travel and absence history.
• Life in the UK Test result.
• English language evidence.
• Employment or salary evidence, where required.
• Financial evidence, where applicable.
• Relationship or cohabitation evidence for family applications.
• Employer or endorsement documents for relevant work and business routes.
• Evidence relating to any exceptional circumstances or absences.
• Certified translations for documents that are not in English or Welsh, where required.

When Can You Apply for ILR?

The earliest application date depends on your immigration route and qualifying period.

For many family routes, you can apply up to 28 days before completing the required period. Other routes have their own rules about when the qualifying period is considered complete.

Applying too early can result in your application being refused, so check your qualifying date carefully.

Common ILR Requirements Mistakes

Common problems include:

• Applying before completing the qualifying period.
• Miscalculating UK absences.
• Using the wrong ILR route or application form.
• Missing required English language evidence.
• Not passing the Life in the UK Test when required.
• Providing insufficient financial or employment evidence.
• Failing to meet route-specific requirements.
• Giving inconsistent information about immigration history.
• Missing supporting documents.
• Failing to disclose relevant immigration or criminal history.

ILR Requirements Checklist

Before applying, check that:

• You have completed the required qualifying period.
• You meet the continuous residence requirements.
• Your UK absences are within the applicable limits.
• You meet the English language requirement, if applicable.
• You have passed the Life in the UK Test, if required.
• You meet your route-specific financial, employment or relationship requirements.
• You meet the suitability requirements.
• You have gathered the required supporting documents.
• You are applying using the correct settlement route.
• You have checked your earliest eligible application date.

Need Help with Your ILR Requirements?

Not sure whether you meet the ILR requirements or which settlement route applies to you? Vanguard Solicitors can assess your immigration history, qualifying period, continuous residence and supporting evidence before you apply.

Call Vanguard Solicitors on 0208 616 5535 or complete our online enquiry form for specialist ILR advice.