How to Apply for ILR: Official 2026 Steps and Fees

You apply for ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) online through a UKVI account. The fee is £3,226 per person from 8 April 2026. Most work route applicants use form SET O. Family route applicants use SET M. After submitting, you book a separate biometrics appointment at a UKVCAS centre.

Featured Snippet: How Do You Apply for ILR in 2026?

Apply for ILR online at gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain through your UKVI account. Complete SET O (for work routes like Skilled Worker) or SET M (for family routes). Pay £3,226 per person. Then book a biometrics appointment at ukvcas.co.uk. Standard processing takes up to 6 months. Apply no more than 28 days before your eligibility date — applying too early results in automatic refusal.

Key Facts

Topic	Detail
Application method	Online via UKVI account
Main form (work routes)	SET O
Main form (family routes)	SET M
Fee (from 8 April 2026)	£3,226 per person
Fee type	Non-refundable
When to apply	No more than 28 days before eligibility date
Biometrics	Separate UKVCAS appointment after submission
Standard decision time	Up to 6 months
Life in the UK test	Must be passed before applying

Quick Overview

✅ Most Skilled Worker and work route applicants use SET O — completed entirely online
✅ The £3,226 fee applies from 8 April 2026 — confirm the current rate before paying
✅ You must pass the Life in the UK test before submitting — the reference number goes into the form
✅ You can apply up to 28 days before your eligibility date — not earlier
⚠️ Applying more than 28 days early results in automatic refusal — the fee is not returned
⚠️ The fee is non-refundable even if your application is refused
📌 Biometrics are booked separately at ukvcas.co.uk after you submit the online form
📌 You need 6 months of payslips and an employer letter to support most work route applications
💡 Take the Life in the UK test several weeks before your planned application date — tests book up fast
💡 Use the absence calculator to confirm your travel history is within limits before submitting

Introduction

ILR is one of the most significant milestones for migrants in the UK. It gives you the right to live and work here permanently without visa restrictions. The application process is entirely online, but the form is detailed and the fee is substantial. Getting the timing, documents, and form right the first time matters — the fee is non-refundable if you are refused. This guide explains every step. For related guidance, see our ILR documents checklist for 2026, ILR processing times, and ILR costs breakdown.

Before You Start: Check Your Eligibility

Do not start the application until you have confirmed you meet all requirements.

Qualifying period: Most routes require 5 years of continuous lawful residence in the UK. Your qualifying period starts from the date you entered on the relevant visa (or the visa grant date if you were already in the UK).

Continuous residence: No more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month window during the qualifying period. Use the absence calculator to check every window — not just your total days abroad. See our full 180-day rule guide for detail.

English language: You must meet the English language requirement — through a B1 test, a degree taught in English, or an exemption. See our English language requirements guide and use the B1 check tool.

Life in the UK test: You must have passed the test before applying. The pass certificate reference number is required in the form.

Good character: No serious criminal convictions, no immigration offences, no deception in previous applications. See our good character requirement guide.

Salary requirements (Skilled Worker route): Your salary must have met the required threshold throughout your qualifying period. The general Skilled Worker salary threshold is £41,700, or the going rate for your occupation — whichever is higher. Check GOV.UK for the latest figure before you apply.

Step 1: Create or Log In to Your UKVI Account

Go to gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain and start the online application.

If you do not already have a UKVI account, create one using your email address. If you have applied for a UK visa before, you may already have an account — use the same login.

Step 2: Select the Correct Form

Choose the form that matches your visa route:

SET O — for applicants on work routes: Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Scale-up, Innovator Founder, International Sportsperson, Representative of an Overseas Business, and most other employment-based routes.

SET M — for applicants on family routes: spouse or civil partner of a British citizen or settled person, family visa holders, dependent family members.

Other forms exist for specific routes (such as SET DV for domestic violence cases), but SET O and SET M cover the vast majority of ILR applications.

If you are unsure which form applies to you, use the eligibility checker on GOV.UK before starting.

Step 3: Complete the Online Form

The form is long. Allow at least 2–3 hours and gather all documents before you start. You can save progress and return.

Sections of SET O typically include:

Personal details: full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number
Contact details and UK address history
Immigration history: every visa you have held, every entry and exit from the UK
Absences: every trip outside the UK during the qualifying period, with dates and destinations
Employment: current employer, job title, start date, salary, National Insurance number
Payslips: 6 months of payslips (uploaded as documents)
Employer letter: confirming continued employment and salary
English language: certificate reference or exemption grounds
Life in the UK test: pass certificate reference number
Good character declarations: criminal record, civil proceedings, immigration offences, unpaid tax, outstanding debts to public bodies

Complete every section accurately. Mistakes — even minor ones — can cause delays or raise queries. UKVI cross-checks your answers against Home Office records, HMRC data, and border entry/exit logs.

Step 4: Upload Supporting Documents

Documents are uploaded digitally during the application. You do not send originals at this stage — they are checked at the biometrics appointment.

Standard documents for SET O (Skilled Worker route):

Current passport (and all previous passports covering the qualifying period)
BRP or eVisa confirmation of your current leave
Employer letter — on company letterhead, confirming your job title, start date, current salary, and that you are still employed
6 months of payslips (most recent 6 months)
6 months of bank statements showing salary payments
Life in the UK test pass certificate
English language certificate (or evidence of exemption)
Absence records — your own log of all trips abroad, supported by passport stamps or boarding records

If you have changed employers during the qualifying period, you may need employment records from previous employers as well.

Step 5: Pay the Application Fee

The ILR application fee from 8 April 2026 is £3,226 per person. This is one of the highest immigration fees in the UK system and is non-refundable.

If you are applying with dependants (a partner or children on your visa), each person needs their own application and pays the same fee.

Payment is made online at the end of the form. Once paid, the application is submitted.

Do not pay early. Only pay once you have completed the form correctly and are ready to submit. There is no way to retrieve your money if you make an error.

Step 6: Book Your UKVCAS Biometrics Appointment

After submitting the online form, you receive instructions to book a biometrics appointment through UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services) at ukvcas.co.uk.

This is a separate step — you do not automatically get an appointment. Book as soon as the link is available.

At the appointment:

Your fingerprints are scanned
Your photograph is taken
Your original documents are checked against the copies you uploaded

Choose a UKVCAS service point near you. There are standard (free) and enhanced (paid) service options. Enhanced appointments offer more locations and faster slots.

Step 7: Await a Decision

Standard processing time is up to 6 months from the date UKVI receives your complete application (including biometrics).

Some applications are decided faster. Complex cases or those requiring additional checks take longer.

You will receive a decision by letter or email. If approved, your ILR status is recorded digitally in the Home Office system (eVisa). You can check and share your status using the UKVI online service.

When to Apply: The 28-Day Rule

You can apply up to 28 days before your eligibility date. Do not apply earlier than this — the application will be automatically refused and the fee is not returned.

Your eligibility date is 5 years from the start of your qualifying period. Use the ILR eligibility calculator to confirm the exact date.

Do not apply significantly after your eligibility date either. If your current visa expires before your ILR is decided, you must ensure you have a valid Biometric Residence Permit or a pending application (Section 3C leave) to remain lawfully in the UK.

The Life in the UK Test Requirement

You must pass the Life in the UK test before submitting your ILR application. The test pass certificate reference number is entered directly into the form.

Book your test well in advance — test slots fill up weeks or months ahead. If you have not taken the test yet, book it now at gov.uk/life-in-the-uk-test.

Use our free mock tests and practice questions to prepare. The test has 24 questions and you must score 18 or more (75%) to pass. Failing delays your ILR application.

Dependants: Applying at the Same Time

If your partner or children are in the UK on a visa linked to yours, they can apply for ILR at the same time. Each dependant makes a separate online application and pays the full fee (£3,226 per person).

Children under 18 do not need to pass the Life in the UK test. Adults (partners) do, unless exempt.

Common Mistakes

❌ Applying more than 28 days early. This results in automatic refusal. The fee is lost. Check your exact eligibility date before submitting.

❌ Not having the Life in the UK test reference number ready. You cannot complete the form without it. Take the test before you start the application.

❌ Underreporting absences. UKVI has border data. If your declared trips do not match their records, your application is at risk. List every trip, however short.

❌ Using the wrong form. SET O is for work routes. SET M is for family routes. Submitting the wrong form causes your application to be rejected or refused.

Expert Tips

Start collecting documents 3 months before your eligibility date. Chasing old payslips or employer letters at the last minute is stressful. Build your document file early.
Book the Life in the UK test 8–10 weeks before your planned application date. Test slots fill up quickly and you cannot submit without the pass reference.
Log every trip abroad from the first day of your qualifying period. A travel diary with departure and return dates makes the absences section of the form quick to complete and reduces errors.
Book an enhanced UKVCAS appointment if speed matters. Standard slots can be limited in some areas. Enhanced appointments cost more but offer more flexible locations and times.
Take screenshots at each stage of the online form. In the rare event of a technical problem, screenshots showing your progress can help resolve disputes with UKVI.

FAQs

How do I apply for ILR in the UK?

Apply online through a UKVI account at gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain. Complete the relevant form (SET O for most work routes, SET M for family routes). Pay the fee, then book a biometrics appointment at a UKVCAS centre. The process is entirely online — you do not send documents by post.

How much does an ILR application cost?

The fee from 8 April 2026 is £3,226 per person. This is non-refundable. Each dependant applying at the same time pays the same fee. Check the current fee on GOV.UK before paying, as fees are subject to change.

How long does ILR take to process?

Standard processing takes up to 6 months from the date UKVI receives your complete application, including biometrics. Some applications are decided faster. Priority (5 working days, £500 extra) and Super Priority (next working day, £1,000 extra) services are available.

Can I apply for ILR before 5 years?

No, unless you are on a route with a shorter qualifying period (such as some refugee or family routes). Most work route applicants must complete 5 full years. Applying early results in refusal.

Do I need to pass the Life in the UK test for ILR?

Yes. The Life in the UK test is a mandatory requirement for most ILR applications. You need the pass certificate reference number to complete the online form. Exemptions exist for people over 65 or with certain long-term conditions.

What is SET O?

SET O is the online application form for ILR on most employment-based visa routes, including Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Scale-up, and others. It is completed entirely online through a UKVI account.

What happens if my ILR application is refused?

You receive a refusal letter explaining the reasons. The fee is not refunded. Depending on the grounds, you may be able to reapply after addressing the issue, or you may be able to submit an administrative review. Seek legal advice if you believe the refusal is incorrect.

Can I travel while my ILR application is being decided?

Travelling while your application is pending carries risk. If you leave the UK, you may be considered to have abandoned your application. Do not travel abroad while your ILR application is outstanding without taking legal advice first.

How This Aligns With Official Guidance

The process in this article reflects the ILR application system published on GOV.UK, including the fee structure effective from 8 April 2026, the form references (SET O, SET M), and the biometrics process via UKVCAS. The 28-day early application window is set out in the Immigration Rules. Always check GOV.UK for the most current guidance before submitting — fees and requirements change.

Official Resources

Our Free Tools

ILR eligibility calculator — find your exact eligibility date
Absence calculator — check every rolling 12-month window before applying
Life in the UK mock test — prepare for the test you need before applying
Practice questions by chapter — target your weakest topics

What to Do Next

Check your ILR eligibility date using the ILR calculator. If you are within 3 months of that date, book your Life in the UK test now — slots fill up fast. Then start building your document file so you are ready to submit on day one of the 28-day application window.