When can I apply for indefinite leave to remain?

You can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK once you've completed the required continuous residency (usually 5 years, but sometimes 10 for certain routes like Private Life or Human Rights), and you can apply up to 28 days before you hit that exact date, not after your visa expires, while also meeting absence rules (typically under 180 days in any 12-month period) and passing the Life in the UK Test.

How early can I apply for my indefinite leave to remain?

Time in the UK

You must have lived in the UK for 5 years before you can apply for indefinite leave to remain. There are rules for what counts towards the 5 years if you have: spent time outside the UK. been a partner or child (a 'dependant) on a visa.

What are the new rules for indefinite leave to remain?

Increasing the standard qualifying period for permanent residence (also known as indefinite leave to remain or settlement) from five to ten years, with some people qualifying sooner based on criteria to be decided following public consultation.

How to get indefinite leave to remain quickly?

Applying for a faster decision. You may be able to pay for a faster decision on a visa or settlement ('indefinite leave to remain') application. Using the 'priority service' means you'll usually get a decision within 5 working days, or 30 working days for Family visa applications from outside the UK.

How long does it take for indefinite leave to remain to be approved?

ILR processing timeline

Once you have applied for ILR and proved your identity using the ID app or enrolled your biometric information at any UKVCAS appointment, it can take up to 6 months to get a decision from UKVI, although it may be possible to pay for a faster decision.

UK ILR Process 2025 Step-by-Step | How to Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK

Can you be denied indefinite leave to remain?

The Home Office can deny your ILR application based on the general grounds of refusal. These criteria are part of the UK Immigration Rules and may either be mandatory or discretionary. In the second case, the UKVI may consider your immigration history before deciding on how to proceed with your application.

How long is indefinite leave valid?

Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) grants a person the right to live, work and study in the UK without being subject to immigration controls. Unlike visas, ILR has no expiry date, but you must be mindful of travel restrictions to maintain your status.

What is required to apply for indefinite leave to remain?

You must usually have lived and worked in the UK for 5 years. If you have a tier 1 visa, it can be 2 or 3 years. If you have an Innovator Founder or Global Talent visa, it can be 3 years. You may also need to meet the salary or financial requirements - this depends on your visa.

How early can I apply for permanent residency?

The continuous period of 7 years in which you have ordinarily resided in Hong Kong must be immediately before the date that you apply to the Director of Immigration for the status of a permanent resident of the HKSAR.

How long can I leave the UK if I have indefinite leave to remain?

You still have your indefinite leave to remain if you were away for less than 2 years. You can re-enter the UK as long as you: had indefinite leave to remain in the UK when you last left.

What is the new rule of UK immigration in 2025?

The rules for skilled worker visas changed in July 2025. You'll now usually only get a new skilled worker visa if you need a degree-level qualification to do your job. The government have said there will be exceptions until the end of 2026.

How long is ILR processing time 2025?

Standard ILR Processing Times in 2025

Under the standard route, ILR decisions generally take up to 6 months from the date of submission. However, most straightforward applications can take less than that if there are no issues with eligibility, documentation, or security checks.

Can I travel after applying for indefinite leave to remain?

After you apply

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

What salary do I need for ILR?

If a job is on the Immigration Salary List (previously called the Shortage Occupation List), the minimum salary required for ILR is: £30,960 per year (or the standard going rate for the job, whichever is higher) £23,200 per year if the job was on the Immigration Salary List applied for ILR before April 4, 2024.

Can an ILR calculator predict my approval chances?

This Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Calculator is a complimentary online tool provided for informational and preliminary assessment purposes only. The results generated are estimates based solely on the data you enter and are not a guarantee of eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Can I apply for ILR 6 months before?

The earliest you can apply is 28 days before you're eligible. Check how long you need to have spent in the UK to be eligible. Your application may be refused if you apply earlier. Do not wait until your current visa expires.

What is the fastest way to get permanent residency in Canada?

The fastest way to get Canadian Permanent Residency (PR) is usually through Express Entry, a points-based system for skilled workers, allowing applications to be processed in six months or less if you have a high score based on age, education, language, and work experience, with potential boosts from Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) or strong French skills. For recent international graduates, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry, requiring just 12 months of Canadian skilled work, is often quickest. 

Is a 2 year green card considered a permanent resident?

A conditional permanent resident receives a Green Card valid for two years. To remove the conditions on your permanent resident status, you must file a petition within the 90-day period before your conditional Green Card expires.

Do you need to take a test for indefinite leave to remain?

The Life in the UK test is a mandatory requirement for those wishing to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the United Kingdom, but there are some instances where you can be exempt. For more information on how IAS can help you, call our friendly team of advisors today on 0333 305 9375 for immediate assistance.

How hard is it to get indefinite leave to remain?

ILR is also the usual step before applying for British citizenship. At present, most people can apply for ILR after five years. However some people, such as those granted leave on human rights grounds under Article 8, already need ten years before they can apply for ILR.

How long does it take to process indefinite leave to remain in the UK?

Applications for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) submitted within the UK: 6 months to be decided; Applications for no time limit (NTL) submitted within the UK: 6 months to be decided; Organisations seeking to sponsor a worker: 8 weeks; Organisations updating their sponsor licence details: 18 weeks.

Can I fast track my indefinite leave to remain?

UKVI is the division of the Home Office responsible for issuing visa and immigration decisions, including applications for indefinite leave. Under the indefinite leave to remain priority service, ILR applicants can benefit from fast-tracked application processing for an additional fee.

Can I apply for permanent residency after 2 years?

A Permanent Resident Visa does not have any conditions. You can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa after you have had a resident visa for at least 2 years.

How long can I stay in the UK with indefinite leave to remain?

You can stay in the UK indefinitely, meaning there's no expiry date on your right to live here. However, the word indefinite is not the same as permanent in every circumstance. Under current Home Office rules, you may lose ILR if you leave the UK for more than two consecutive years.