UK Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): Eligibility, Costs, and Timeline
最終更新日: 2026年6月2日
UK Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is the final immigration step before naturalisation. If you have completed the required lawful residence period and can meet the financial, language, and character criteria, you can apply online and receive a decision in up to six months (or pay for faster service).
Last updated: June 2, 2026
Who Qualifies for ILR in 2026
ILR is available through several lawful-residence “routes”. Each route sets its own continuous-residence clock and income or endorsement threshold.
Route | Minimum Residence Period | Key 2026 Threshold |
|---|---|---|
Skilled Worker | 5 years (1,825 days) | £38,700 salary or occupation “going rate”, whichever higher |
Health and Care Worker | 5 years | Same salary test; exempt from Immigration Health Surcharge |
Spouse/Partner | 5 years | £29,000 household income (rising to £34,500 on 1 April 2027) |
Global Talent – Exceptional Talent | 3 years | N/A – endorsement in science, humanities, engineering, medicine, digital technology, or arts |
Global Talent – Exceptional Promise | 3 years | Same endorsement categories |
10-Year Long Residence | 10 years continuous lawful stay | Absences ≤ 548 days total, no single absence > 184 days |
Absence Rules (all routes)
- 5-year routes: ≤ 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period.
- 10-year route: ≤ 548 days total, and no single absence longer than 184 days.
- Global Talent 3-year route: Home Office retains discretion to waive absences linked to the endorsed field.
Document Checklist
Gather originals plus one clear photocopy of each item. Upload scans during the online application; bring originals to your biometric appointment.
Identity & Travel History
- Current passport (all used pages)
- Previous passports covering the qualifying residence period
- Police registration certificate (if previously required)
Residence Evidence
- All previous Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs)
- Tenancy agreements, mortgage statements, or employer accommodation letters
- Utility bills or bank statements at least every 6 months of the qualifying period
Financial & Employment
- Payslips (last 12 months) – each on company letterhead and showing gross salary
- Employer letter confirming salary, role, and ongoing employment
- P60 forms for each tax year in the qualifying period
- Bank statements (last 12 months) matching salary credits
English Language & Life in the UK
- Life in the UK Test pass certificate (£50 fee)
- CEFR Level B1 English test certificate (IELTS for UKVI or Trinity GESE Grade 5) – valid at application date
Relationship (Spouse/Partner route only)
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate
- Evidence of cohabitation (joint bank statements, utility bills, etc.)
- Divorce decrees or death certificates for any previous marriages
Character & Health
- ACRO Police Certificate for any country lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years (if requested)
- Court judgments, cautions, or conviction documents (translated if not in English)
- Tuberculosis test certificate if previously required
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Book and pass the Life in the UK Test
- Book online at gov.uk. Bring original photo ID.
- Receive certificate immediately on passing.
- Secure an English language test slot (if not already exempt)
- Book IELTS for UKVI or Trinity GESE Grade 5.
- Ensure test centre is on the Home Office approved list.
- Complete the online SET(O) form
- Create a UKVI account, select “Indefinite leave to remain”.
- Pay the application fee (£2,885 per adult and per child) and biometric fee (£19.20).
- Upload all supporting documents in PDF/JPEG/PNG format ≤ 6 MB each.
- Book and attend a biometric appointment
- Choose either UKVCAS service point (free) or premium lounge (extra fee).
- Bring passport, BRP, and all uploaded originals.
- Enrol fingerprints and facial photograph.
- Await decision
- Standard processing: up to 6 months.
- Priority (£500 extra): 5 working days.
- Super-priority (£1,000 extra): next working day.
- Track progress via the UKVI account dashboard.
- Receive BRP or eVisa
- After approval, your new BRP will be delivered by courier or you will be invited to create an eVisa.
- Check personal details for spelling errors immediately.
Fees & Processing Times in 2026
Service | Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
Application fee (adult or child) | £2,885 | Up to 6 months |
Biometric enrolment | £19.20 | Same-day appointment |
Priority processing add-on | £500 | 5 working days |
Super-priority processing add-on | £1,000 | Next working day |
Life in the UK Test | £50 | Same day (if passed) |
English language test | ≈ £150–£200 | Varies by provider |
Note: Immigration Health Surcharge is not charged for ILR applications made from inside the UK.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Absence miscalculation
- Count 180-day absences using rolling 12-month windows, not calendar years.
- Record exact exit/entry dates from passport stamps; use airline boarding passes if stamps are missing.
Outdated English test certificate
- Ensure the test certificate is still listed on the approved provider list at the date of application.
- Re-take the test if the certificate has expired or the provider lost accreditation.
Salary shortfall
- For Skilled Worker route, the £38,700 threshold is the absolute minimum; some SOC codes have higher “going rates”.
- Include only guaranteed basic salary; overtime and allowances usually do not count.
Incorrect online form
- SET(O) is for most work and family routes. Do not use SET(M) or SET(LR) unless explicitly instructed.
- Download a PDF copy of the completed form immediately after submission; UKVI portals sometimes time-out.
Missing police certificates
- Apply for ACRO certificates early; some countries take 40+ days.
- Submit translations by certified translators for any non-English documents.
Photograph issues
- Biometric photo must be less than 1 month old and meet UKVI size requirements.
- Wear neutral expression; remove glasses with tinted lenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I apply for ILR while on a Graduate visa?
A: No. Time spent on a Graduate visa does not count toward any ILR route. You must switch to a qualifying route (for example, Skilled Worker) and start a new 5-year clock from the date of that switch.
Q: Do I need to keep my old BRP once I receive ILR?
A: Cut the old BRP in half and return it to the Home Office within 10 working days following the instructions in your approval email. Failure can result in a £1,000 fine.
Q: Does maternity leave break continuous residence?
A: Statutory or contractual maternity, paternity, or shared parental leave counts as lawful employment and does not interrupt continuous residence. Ensure your employer letter confirms the leave dates.
Q: Is there an age exemption for the Life in the UK Test?
A: Yes. Applicants under 18 or 65 and over are exempt. Those with long-term physical or mental conditions may apply for exemption using form NACL.
Q: Can I travel after submitting the online ILR application but before a decision?
A: Technically yes, but re-entry is at the discretion of Border Force. If your current visa expires while you are outside the UK, your application may be treated as withdrawn. Travel only if you have a valid BRP that covers the full processing period.
Q: If my salary falls after ILR but before citizenship, does it matter?
A: No. Once ILR is granted, future salary is irrelevant unless you commit fraud in the original application. Citizenship applications have separate financial and good-character requirements.
Q: How long is ILR valid?
A: Indefinite. However, you can lose it if you remain outside the UK for more than 2 continuous years.
Q: Can dependents apply together?
A: Yes. Each person submits a separate SET(O) application and pays the £2,885 fee. Children under 18 are charged the same amount as adults.
Moving to the UK permanently is a major life step, and understanding the paperwork keeps the process smooth. If you’re on a work route and want to strengthen your day-to-day English before the ILR interview or Life in the UK Test, Migaku helps you mine real British TV, news, and podcasts for vocabulary and context.