British Citizenship and Naturalisation
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Immigration
Indefinite Leave to Remain (Settlement)
Settlement is the application where a small mistake costs the most: absences, gaps in leave and a changed rule can all reset the clock. We audit your history before you apply, then prepare an application that gets granted.
Home Office fee£3,226 per person, no health surcharge
Qualifying periodUsually 5 years continuous residence; 3 years on some talent and founder routes; 10 years for long residence
AbsencesNo more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period on most work routes
Decision timeUp to 6 months standard; priority and super priority available
Am I eligible for indefinite leave to remain?
Indefinite leave to remain (ILR), also called settlement, removes time limits and work restrictions and is the last step before British citizenship. The qualifying period and conditions depend on the route you are on:
| Route | Qualifying period | Key conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker, Senior or Specialist Worker (combined) | 5 years | Still employed by your sponsor at the required salary; sponsor confirms the job is still needed |
| Partner of a British or settled person | 5 years (10 on the exceptional circumstances route) | Relationship still genuine; financial requirement met; English B1 |
| Global Talent | 3 or 5 years depending on endorsement | Earned income in your field during the period |
| Innovator Founder | 3 years | Business meets two of the growth criteria; endorsing body confirms |
| UK Ancestry | 5 years | Still able to work and intending to work |
| Long residence | 10 years continuous lawful residence | Absences within limits; no more than 180 days in any 12 months since April 2024 rules |
| Private life | 5 or 10 years depending on when leave was granted | Continuing basis for the application |
In every case you must pass the Life in the UK test, show English at B1 (with exemptions for age and some nationalities), and have no criminal or immigration history that engages the suitability grounds. Leave must have been continuous: an overstay or a gap between visas can break it.
Settlement rules are changing. The Government's "earned settlement" reforms are reshaping the qualifying period for many work routes, with a longer baseline for some and shorter periods for higher earners and contributors, and transitional protections for those already in the UK. We advise every client on the rules that will apply on their application date, and where it helps, on applying before a change takes effect.
The absence rules
On work and talent routes you must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period during the qualifying years. The Home Office counts days on a rolling basis rather than by calendar year, so a long trip that spans two years can still breach the limit. For partners there is no fixed limit, but extended absences can undermine the intention to live together in the UK.
Some absences are disregarded, for example those related to a pandemic travel restriction or, on some routes, assisting with a national or international humanitarian crisis. We prepare a complete travel history from your passports, eVisa records and travel records, identify any breach and, where needed, build the case for the absence to be excused.
How we prepare your ILR application
Eligibility audit
We check your continuous residence, absences, previous grants of leave and any gaps, and confirm the date from which you can apply (up to 28 days before completing the qualifying period).
Requirements plan
Life in the UK test booking, English evidence, and for sponsored workers a letter from your employer in the required form.
Application and evidence
Full online application, evidence bundle and covering letter addressing every requirement and any weak point, submitted with priority processing if you need it.
Grant and next steps
We explain your eVisa, the conditions of settlement (including the 2-year absence rule) and when you can apply for citizenship.
Fees and costs
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Home Office fee, per applicant | £3,226 |
| Life in the UK test | £50 |
| Priority / super priority service (optional) | £500 / £1,000 |
| Fairhill Solicitors fixed fee | From £1,750 + VAT |
Figures from the Home Office fee table effective 8 October 2026, checked September 2026. There is no Immigration Health Surcharge on settlement applications.
WatchMore on this topic:
From Skilled Worker to indefinite leave to remain
The path from a Skilled Worker visa to settlement, in ten seconds.
Frequently asked questions
How early can I apply for ILR?
Up to 28 days before you complete the qualifying period. Applying earlier than that leads to refusal and loss of the fee.
Can I lose ILR?
Yes, if you are outside the UK for more than 2 consecutive years (5 years for those with EU settled status), or if you are deported. Otherwise it is permanent.
Can I count time on different visas towards 5 years?
On the Skilled Worker route, time on Senior or Specialist Worker and some other routes can be combined. For long residence, any lawful leave counts. Time as a visitor or with no leave generally does not count. We map your history to find the earliest date you can apply.
Do my dependants apply at the same time?
Partners can apply with you if they have completed their own qualifying period, or later if not. Children under 18 usually apply with you. Each applicant pays the full fee.
How long does an ILR decision take?
The standard service is up to 6 months. Super priority (next working day) and priority (5 working days) are available for most settlement applications for an additional fee.
Ready to find out where you stand? Answer a few questions below. Skip anything you are unsure about, and we will take it from there. Suitable enquiries can book a free 10-minute assessment immediately.
Check if we can help with your indefinite leave to remain (settlement)
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