ILR Documents Required 2026 — What You Need by Visa Type

The documents you need for your ILR application depend on your visa type. All applicants need a valid passport, Life in the UK test pass reference, and full travel history. Most also need a B1 English certificate. Skilled Worker applicants additionally need payslips, a P60 history, and an employer letter.

Key Facts at a Glance

Quick Overview

✅ All applicants need a valid passport, Life in the UK test pass, and complete travel history
✅ Use our interactive ILR document checklist to get a printable list tailored to your visa type
✅ Skilled Worker applicants need payslips, P60s, a current employer letter, and bank statements
✅ Family visa applicants need relationship evidence — cohabitation proof, financial evidence, and a B1 English certificate
⚠️ Long Residence applicants must provide every passport covering the full 10-year period — including expired ones
⚠️ The ILR fee (£3,226) is not refunded if your application is refused — use our ILR refusal risk checker first
📌 Skilled Worker visa holders are NOT exempt from the Life in the UK test — only from the B1 English test
📌 All absences from the UK must be declared — UKVI cross-checks against border records
💡 Start gathering documents 6 months before your eligibility date — some take time to obtain
💡 Use the ILR eligibility calculator to confirm your exact eligibility date before preparing documents

Start Here — Use the Interactive Checklist

Every visa route has different document requirements. Rather than working through a generic list, use our interactive ILR document checklist. Select your visa type and you will get a personalised, printable checklist showing exactly what you need to gather and what format each document must be in.

The rest of this guide explains each document category in detail so you know what you are collecting and why.

Documents Required by All Applicants

Regardless of your visa route, every ILR application must include the following:

Valid passport or identity document
Your current passport must be valid at the time you submit your application. If your passport expired during your qualifying period, include that too — it contains entry and exit stamps UKVI may need to verify your residence.

Life in the UK test pass notification
You must include your pass reference number. You received this when you passed the test. If you have lost it, contact the test provider (PSI/Pearson VUE) to retrieve your results. Note: if you are exempt from the test, you will need to confirm your exemption category instead.

Full travel history
You must declare every trip outside the UK during your qualifying period. List each trip with departure date, return date, and destination country. UKVI cross-checks this against border records. Incomplete travel history can delay or harm your application. Use our absence calculator to organise your trips and verify you have not breached the 180-day rule in any rolling 12-month window.

Current immigration status evidence
You need to show your current leave to remain — usually your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or your eVisa status from UKVI. If you use the UK Visas and Immigration online service, take a screenshot of your current status page.

Skilled Worker Visa — SET(O) Documents

In addition to the universal documents above, Skilled Worker ILR applicants need:

Employer letter
A letter on company headed paper confirming your current employment, job title, salary, and start date. It must be signed by HR or a senior manager and dated within 3 months of your application date.

Payslips
Payslips covering at least the last 12 months. Some caseworkers request 24 months. Keep every payslip — do not rely on your employer to retrieve them later. Digital payslips are acceptable if they clearly show employer name, your name, and gross/net pay.

P60 documents
P60s for every tax year in your qualifying period. You receive one per year from your employer after 5 April. If you have changed employers, you need P60s from every employer. If you have lost any, contact HMRC directly.

Bank statements
Statements covering the last 6–12 months showing your salary being paid. Your bank name, account number, sort code, your name, and transactions must all be visible. Printed internet banking statements are acceptable if stamped by the bank or accompanied by an official confirmation letter.

Sponsorship details
If you are still employed by your original sponsor, their name and Sponsor Licence number should be referenced in your employer letter. If you changed sponsor during your qualifying period, include evidence of the new assignment.

Note: Skilled Worker visa holders are not required to provide a B1 English test certificate. Their visa was granted on the basis of English proficiency. The Life in the UK test pass is still required.

Family Visa — SET(M) Documents

Family visa ILR applicants (spouses, partners, and parents) need a more relationship-focused document set.

B1 English language certificate
You must provide an English language qualification at B1 level or above from an approved provider. The certificate must be on the UKVI list of approved English language tests. It must be in date (most certificates are valid for 2 years). Approved providers include Trinity College London, IELTS, and others — check the GOV.UK list. Use our B1 check tool to confirm what you need.

Marriage or civil partnership certificate
The original or certified copy. If the document is not in English, a certified translation is required.

Cohabitation evidence
You must show that you have been living together throughout your qualifying period. UKVI expects evidence covering the full period — not just a recent address. Acceptable documents include:

• Joint tenancy agreements or mortgage statements
• Utility bills in both names
• GP or NHS registration letters in both names at the same address
• Council tax bills
• Bank statements showing the same address

Aim for 2–3 pieces of evidence per year across your full qualifying period.

Financial evidence
You must meet the minimum income threshold (currently £29,000 per year for most new applications, though existing family visa holders on lower thresholds may be subject to different rules — check GOV.UK for your specific situation). Provide payslips, P60s, and bank statements showing the sponsor's income.

Relationship evidence
If required, provide photos together, communications, joint accounts, or any other evidence of a genuine ongoing relationship.

Long Residence — SET(LR) Documents

Long Residence applications require the most extensive documentation. You are proving 10 years of continuous lawful residence, so the evidential bar is high.

All passports covering the 10-year period
You must submit every passport — current and expired — that covers any part of your 10-year residence period. This is non-negotiable. If a passport has been lost or stolen, include a police report and your best alternative evidence of that period.

All previous visa documents
Printouts or records of every leave to remain you held during the 10 years — visas, BRPs, digital status records. If you do not have physical copies, the UKVI "view and prove your immigration status" service on GOV.UK may allow you to retrieve historical records.

Continuous residence evidence across 10 years
You need documents showing you were present in the UK throughout the period. UKVI expects to see evidence from multiple years. Acceptable documents include:

• P60s and payslips (employment)
• Bank statements
• Council tax bills
• GP registration letters
• Utility bills
• Tenancy agreements
• University enrolment letters

Aim for 2–3 pieces of evidence per year. Gaps of more than 6 months with no evidence will be questioned.

B1 English certificate
Required unless you are exempt. See the B1 English requirement guide for details.

Life in the UK test pass reference
Required unless you are exempt (under 18, 65 or over, exempt nationality, or health exemption).

Common Mistakes

❌ Not declaring all absences from the UK
Every trip outside the UK during your qualifying period must be declared on your application form. UKVI checks your travel history against border records. Leaving out trips — even short weekend breaks — can be treated as misrepresentation. Use the absence calculator to build a complete list before you apply.

❌ Using an expired passport as your identity document
Your current passport must be valid at the time you submit your application. An expired passport can be included as a supporting document to cover a gap period — but you also need a valid current document. If your passport has recently expired, renew it before submitting your ILR application.

❌ Not having enough cohabitation evidence for family route
UKVI expects continuous evidence of cohabitation across your full qualifying period. A few recent utility bills are not enough. You need evidence spread across every year. Start collecting evidence early — and keep joint documents in an organised folder throughout your relationship.

❌ Not gathering all passports for Long Residence
Long Residence applicants must produce every passport from the 10-year period. Many people throw away old passports. If you have lost a passport, you will need to work around it — but this adds complexity and risk. Keep all passports from the moment you start your immigration journey in the UK.

❌ Submitting documents without certified translations
Any document not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. A certified translation is not a Google translation — it must be done by a professional translation service and include the translator's name, signature, and contact details. Marriage certificates from abroad are the most commonly forgotten document here.

❌ Assuming Skilled Worker exemption covers the Life in the UK test
Skilled Worker visa holders are exempt from the B1 English language test — not from the Life in the UK test. Many applicants discover this only months before they plan to apply. Book your test at least 6 months before your eligibility date. Use our free practice questions to prepare.

Expert Tips

1. Start gathering documents 6 months early. P60s from old employers, replacement BRPs, and certified translations all take time. Do not leave document collection until 4 weeks before your application date.

2. Use a dedicated folder from day one. Keep physical and digital copies of every visa, BRP, payslip, P60, tenancy agreement, and utility bill. Label each item with the date. This takes seconds at the time and saves hours when you apply.

3. Get a free copy of your travel history from GOV.UK. Visit GOV.UK and use the "Check your travel history" service. Compare it against your own records. If there are discrepancies, investigate before you submit. Unexplained discrepancies can delay processing.

4. Get the employer letter right first time. UKVI expects a specific format. The letter must be on headed paper, signed, and include your salary, job title, start date, and sponsor confirmation if applicable. Give your employer this list and ask for a draft before they finalise it.

5. Do not miss the biometric appointment. After submitting your application online, you must attend a biometric enrolment appointment within the timeframe given. Missing it can result in your application being voided. Book the earliest available appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need original documents or can I send copies?

For most documents, high-quality colour scans or photocopies are acceptable for the online application. However, if UKVI requests original documents at any point, you must provide them. Never send original passports through the post — use the UKVI appointment service or an approved solicitor submission.

What if I have lost my P60 for a year during my qualifying period?

Contact HMRC directly. You can request an employment history statement from HMRC showing your earnings and tax paid for each tax year. This is not a replacement P60, but it can support your application alongside other financial evidence from that period.

My employer went out of business — what do I do?

If your previous employer no longer exists, gather alternative evidence of your employment: bank statements showing salary payments, P60s if you have them, and any communications from the company. An accountant's confirmation may also help. UKVI understands that employment situations change — provide the best evidence available with a covering explanation.

How long does ILR processing take?

Usually within 6 months of submitting a complete application. Complex cases or applications requiring additional information can take longer. There is no guaranteed processing timeline. Plan accordingly — do not book international travel that cannot be changed while your application is being decided.

Can I travel outside the UK while my ILR application is being processed?

Yes, if you have valid leave to remain. However, if you have no valid leave (because your current visa has expired and you are relying on Section 3C leave), you should seek legal advice before travelling. Travel during the processing period can be complicated.

What happens to my documents after the application is processed?

If you submitted through the online portal, you will be asked to submit identity documents separately via appointment. UKVI will return passports and other original documents after processing. Allow 4–6 weeks for returns.

How This Aligns With Official Guidance

The document requirements for each ILR route are set out in the Home Office's published caseworker guidance on GOV.UK — specifically the Indefinite Leave to Remain guidance for each visa category. The forms SET(O), SET(M), and SET(LR) are the Home Office's own prescribed application forms. The requirement to declare all absences is confirmed in the Immigration Rules under the continuous residence provisions. The B1 English exemption for Skilled Worker visa holders is confirmed in the Knowledge of Language and Life guidance published by the Home Office.

Official Resources

• GOV.UK — Indefinite Leave to Remain (SET O)
• GOV.UK — Settle in the UK: spouses and partners (SET M)
• GOV.UK — Long Residence (SET LR)
• GOV.UK — Approved English language tests (B1)
• GOV.UK — Check your travel history

Our Free Tools

• ILR Document Checklist — select your visa type and get a personalised, printable document checklist
• ILR Eligibility Calculator — confirm your exact ILR eligibility date and cost
• UK Absence Calculator — check your travel history meets the 180-day rule
• B1 English Requirement Checker — find out if you need a B1 English test
• Life in the UK Test Practice — free, 570 questions, no sign-up

Also useful: How much does ILR cost in 2026? and What to do after passing the Life in the UK test

Get Your Personalised Document Checklist

Use our interactive ILR document checklist — select your visa type and get a complete, printable list of every document you need. Start collecting 6 months before your eligibility date to give yourself enough time.

Last reviewed: April 2026 — figures correct at time of publication. Always check GOV.UK for the latest fees and requirements.