Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) UK Guide 2025: Requirements, Routes and New Rules

Securing Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK also known as Settlement is a pivotal moment for any foreign national. It grants the right to live, work, and study in the UK without time limits and is the final step before applying for British Citizenship

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UK Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Explained

For individuals holding with lawful residence in the UK on a Qualifying Route to Settlement.

No Time Limit

Unrestricted Right to Work

Pathway to British Citizenship

Navigating Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK

Securing Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) often referred to as "Settlement" is a transformative milestone for any foreign national living in the UK. It represents the end of visa renewals and the beginning of permanent residency.

This legal article provides a detailed analysis of the current legal landscape for ILR in 2025, covering eligibility, requirements, costs, and the recent transition to digital status.

What is Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?

Indefinite Leave to Remain is a permanent immigration status granted to non-UK nationals who have lived in the UK for a specific period. Unlike a temporary visa or limited leave to enter or remain, ILR has no expiry date and removes most immigration restrictions, albeit which can be lost if the ILR holder stays outside of the UK for a continuous period of 2 years and more.

Key Benefits of ILR Status:

  • No Time Limit: You can live in the UK indefinitely.

  • Freedom to Work: You can work for any employer, be self-employed, or even stop working without losing your status.

  • Home Ownership: Easier access to to UK mortgages with ILR.

  • Public Funds: You gain access to the UK's social security system (benefits) and the NHS on the same basis as British citizens.

  • Pathway to Citizenship: Once you have held ILR for 12 months (or immediately if married to a British citizen), you may be eligible to apply for British Citizenship.

Major 2025 Immigration Law Updates: What has changed?

The UK Home Office has introduced several critical changes that affect ILR/Settlement applicants this year:

  • Digital eVisas: Physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) have been phased out. Applicants now manage their UK immigration status via a digital UKVI Account.

  • Increased Salary Thresholds: For Skilled Workers, the general salary threshold for ILR/Settlement has risen to £41,700 (for most new applicant since April 2024.

  • Earned Settlement Consultation: The UK Government is currently consulting on shifting many 5-year routes to a 10-year baseline, with an “earned” reductions for high earners, public sector workers or those with C1-Level English.

  • 10-Year Route Absence Rules: The previous 548-days total permitted absence limit has been replaced for many by a rolling 180-day limit in any 12-month period.

Primary Routes to ILR in 2025

Eligibility for ILR depends largely on the type of visa you currently hold and how long you have resided in the UK.

The 5-Year Route (Standard)

Most migrants qualify for settlement after five years of continuous residence. Common qualifying visas include:

  • Skilled Worker Visa: Requires proof of ongoing sponsorship and meeting minimum salary thresholds. To qualify for the ILR via the Skilled Worker Visa, you must:

→ Have spent 5 continuous years in the UK on a qualifying work visa.

→ Be earning at least the higher of £41,700 or the “going rate” for your job code (discounted rates apply for Health and Care Workers or those on the Immigration Salary List).

→ Have confirmed ongoing need for your sponsored employment from your UK sponsoring employer.

  • Spouse/Partner Visa: Requires proof that the relationship is genuine and subsisting.

→ You must prove your relationship is still genuine and subsisting.

→ Financial Requirement: For those who entered the route after 11 April 2024, the minimum income requirement is £29,000. Those already on the route before this date are generally under transitional immigration laws at the previous £18,600 threshold.

→ You must be adequately accommodated .

  • Global Talent / Innovator Founder: Some "exceptional talent" routes may offer an accelerated 3-year path. ILR on these business routes requires the UK immigration rules previously met to be met again during ILR.

10-Year Long Residence Route

This route is for individuals who have lived lawfully in the UK for a decade. It allows you to combine different visa types (e.g., Student visa → Graduate visa → Skilled Worker visa) to reach the 10-year threshold (excluding Short-Term Students/Workers and Visitors).

→ Crucial Change: You must have held your current eligible visa for at least 12 months before applying if it was granted after April 2024.

→ Important Note: In 2025, the government has proposed reforms to increase some 5-year routes to 10 years.While not yet law for all categories, staying updated on "Earned Settlement" policies is critical.

Mandatory Eligibility Requirements

To successfully apply for ILR, you must meet several strict criteria:

Continuous Residence (The 180-Day Rule)

You must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period during your qualifying years.

  • Calculation: The Home Office calculates this on a rolling basis.

  • Exceptions: Absences due to serious illness, natural disasters, or specialised work travel may sometimes be excused with robust evidence.

Knowledge of Language and Life (KoLL)

Unless you are over 65 or have a qualifying medical exemption, you must:

  • Pass the Life in the UK Test: A 24-question exam on British history, culture, and government.

  • Meet English Language Requirements: Prove your English proficiency to at least level B1 (CEFR) through an approved SELT test or a UK-recognised degree.

Suitability (Good Character) Requirement

The Home Office conducts a "suitability" check. Your application may be refused if you have:

  • Serious or recent criminal convictions.

  • Used deception in previous immigration applications.

  • Outstanding NHS debts or tax issues with HMRC.

Financial Sustainability

You must demonstrate that you can support yourself without “recourse to public funds” during the qualifying period and must not have claimed any recourse to public funds during that qualifying period up to your ILR application submission.

ILR Fees and Processing Times (2025)

The cost of settlement is significant. Below are the current fees as of late 2025:

  • Standard Application: £3,029 for a decision within 6 months.

  • Priority Service: £3,529 for a decision within 5 working days for eligible settlement routes.

  • Super Priority: £4,029 for a decision next working day for eligible settlement routes.

Note: You must also pay a £19.20 biometric enrollment fee.

The Shift to eVisas

As of 2025, the UK has fully transitioned away from physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and passport vignettes. All ILR holders now prove their status via a digital eVisa.

  • Action Required: If you still have a physical BRP, you must create a UKVI account to access your digital status.

  • Travel: When traveling, your digital status is linked to your passport number.

Common Pitfalls: Why ILR Applications Fail

  1. Applying Too Early: You can apply up to 28 days before you reach your qualifying period. Applying even one day earlier than this window will lead to an automatic refusal.

  2. Incomplete Documentation: Failing to provide specific evidence (e.g., 6 months of bank statements or employer letters) for the financial requirement.

  3. Unexplained Absences: Not accounting for every day spent outside the UK.

  4. Failure to Disclose Convictions: Even minor traffic offences or fixed penalty notices must be disclosed to satisfy the "good character" requirement.

  5. Incorrect Financial Calculations: Failing to meet the specific “going rate” for your SOC2020 job code or other the financial requirements.Conclusion

Securing Indefinite Leave to Remain is more than just a paperwork exercise; it is a legal confirmation of your place in British society. Given the high costs and strict evidentiary requirements, many applicants seek legal advice to ensure their submission is flawless.

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FAQs

  • To qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in 2025, most applicants must prove they have lived lawfully in the UK for 5 years (or 10 years for Long Residence). Key requirements include passing the Life in the UK Test, meeting the B1 English language level, and not exceeding 180 days of absence in any rolling 12-month period. Additionally, you must meet the specific financial or salary thresholds relevant to your current visa route.

  • As of 2025, most Skilled Worker visa holders applying for settlement must meet a general salary threshold of £41,700 or the "going rate" for their specific occupation code (whichever is higher). However, lower thresholds may apply if you are in a Health and Care role or if you were under transitional rules before April 2024. It is vital to check the latest Immigration Salary List before submitting your application.

  • While the UK government has proposed a shift toward a 10-year "Earned Settlement" model, many routes including the Skilled Worker and Spouse Visa currently remain at 5 years for 2025. The 10-year route typically refers to Long Residence, which allows individuals to combine different visa types. If you are already on a 5-year pathway, you should seek legal advice to see how upcoming "contribution-based" policy changes might affect your future eligibility.

  • The continuous residence requirement for ILR dictates that you must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period during your qualifying years. In 2025, the Home Office uses automated border data to track these absences. If you exceeded this limit due to "compelling or compassionate" reasons, such as a medical emergency or natural disaster, you must provide robust documentary evidence to request an exemption.

  • No, the UK has officially transitioned to a fully digital eVisa system. As of 2025, physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) are no longer issued or required for travel. To prove your right to work, rent, or enter the UK, you must keep your UKVI account updated with your current passport details. Your ILR status is now verified digitally by carriers and border officials via your passport number.

  • If you are married to a British citizen, you can apply for naturalisation as soon as you receive your ILR. For all other applicants, you must typically hold Indefinite Leave to Remain for at least 12 months before you are eligible to apply for British Citizenship. In both cases, you must ensure you meet the "Good Character" requirements and have not been absent from the UK for more than 450 days in the five years preceding your citizenship application.