SET O Form ILR 2026: Step-by-Step Application Guide

SET O is the ILR application for people settling on work routes. You complete the entire application online — there is no paper form. The application is at gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain and you submit it through your UKVI account.

The fee is £3,226 per person from 8 April 2026. It is non-refundable. Getting every section right before you pay matters.

SET O is the settlement application for people on work routes including Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Scale-up, Innovator Founder, and International Sportsperson visas. The application is completed online via a UKVI account. The fee is £3,226 per person (from April 2026) and is non-refundable. After submitting, book a UKVCAS biometrics appointment immediately — slots fill up fast.

Key Facts

Quick Overview

✅ The entire application is online — no paper form to post
✅ Pay £3,226 when you submit — the application is not sent without payment
✅ You can apply up to 28 days before your 5-year qualifying date
✅ Book your UKVCAS biometrics appointment immediately after submitting

⚠️ The fee is non-refundable — a refused application does not get a refund
⚠️ Every trip outside the UK in the qualifying period must be declared — day trips count
⚠️ Salary evidence must cover the full 6-month period — gaps cause delays
⚠️ Applying more than 28 days early results in refusal and fee loss

📌 Your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) number is required — find it in your visa approval letter
📌 Your Life in the UK test reference number goes in the application — not the certificate itself
📌 All previous passports covering your qualifying period must be uploaded

💡 Log in to your UKVI account before the day you plan to submit — check your details match your passport
💡 If you have a complex absence history, prepare a travel log spreadsheet before starting the form

Introduction

SET O is the correct application route if you are on a work visa and have completed your qualifying period. Most Skilled Worker visa holders qualify after 5 years of continuous residence in the UK. Before you start, check you meet all the requirements: see ILR documents required 2026 and how much ILR costs. If you are unsure whether you qualify yet, the ILR 28-day rule and 180-day absence rule articles explain the key timing and absence requirements.

Which Routes Use SET O?

SET O covers the following visa routes:

• Skilled Worker visa (5-year route)
• Global Talent visa
• Scale-up visa
• Innovator Founder visa
• International Sportsperson visa
• Senior or Specialist Worker (Global Business Mobility) — certain sub-routes
• Representative of an Overseas Business (legacy route)
• Domestic Worker in a Private Household (certain conditions)

If you are on a family visa, partner visa, or long residence route, SET O is not the correct application. Check gov.uk for the right form for your visa type.

How to Access the Application

1. Go to gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain
2. Select your visa route
3. Log in to your UKVI account (create one if you do not have one)
4. Start the online application

The form saves your progress. You do not have to complete it in one session.

Section-by-Section Walkthrough

Section 1: Personal Details

Enter your full legal name exactly as it appears in your passport. Include:

• Full name (including middle names if in passport)
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Current passport number, issue date, and expiry date
• All previous passports — including passports from before you moved to the UK

If your name has changed since your visa was granted (for example through marriage), upload a copy of your marriage certificate or deed poll when prompted.

Section 2: Immigration History

Declare all previous UK visas in chronological order. Include:

• Visa type (e.g. Student, Skilled Worker)
• Start and end dates
• Reference numbers if available

Also declare any previous visa refusals, overstays, or deportation orders — in the UK or abroad. Failing to declare something that appears on your record is treated as deception and can result in a ban from the UK.

Section 3: Employment

Enter your current employment details:

• Employer name and address
• Your job title and SOC code
• Your current annual salary
• Your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) number — this is in your original visa approval email

If you have changed employer since your last visa was granted, list all employers in order. You must have been continuously sponsored for the qualifying period (unless you are on a route that allows gaps — check your specific route rules).

Section 4: Absences

This section is critical. You must declare every trip outside the UK during your qualifying period. This includes:

• Day trips (e.g. to France for a weekend)
• Work trips abroad
• Holidays
• Family visits

For each trip, enter: the date you left the UK, the date you returned, and the countries you visited.

The maximum absence for most work routes is 180 days in any rolling 12-month period. See the 180-day rule explained for full details. Undeclared absences are one of the most common causes of ILR delays and refusals.

Prepare your travel log before starting the form. Use your passport stamps, airline booking history, and bank statements to reconstruct every trip. It is much easier to have this ready before you open the application.

Section 5: English Language Evidence

You need to demonstrate English language ability at B1 level or above. Enter:

• The name of your qualification (e.g. IELTS Life Skills, Trinity GESE)
• The awarding body
• The unique reference number from your test certificate

If you are exempt from the English language requirement (for example, if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country), select the relevant exemption and upload your passport.

See English language requirements for ILR 2026 for a full list of accepted qualifications and exemptions.

Section 6: Life in the UK Test

Enter your unique reference number from your Life in the UK test pass certificate. Do not upload the certificate itself — the number is sufficient. The Home Office verifies it directly with the testing authority.

If you have lost your certificate, see how to get a replacement Life in the UK test certificate. You must provide a valid reference number before the application can proceed.

Section 7: Good Character Declarations

You must declare:

• Any criminal convictions in the UK or abroad (including spent convictions)
• Any police cautions (including spent cautions)
• Any civil penalties (e.g. for employing illegal workers)
• Any tax issues flagged by HMRC
• Any immigration offences

If you have nothing to declare, this section takes a few minutes. If you have anything to declare, provide full details. The Home Office checks criminal records automatically. See good character requirement for ILR and citizenship for what the Home Office considers.

Documents to Upload

After completing the online form, you upload supporting documents digitally:

Paying the Fee

The fee is £3,226 per person from 8 April 2026. You pay online by debit or credit card when you submit the application. The application is not submitted until payment clears.

The fee is non-refundable in almost all circumstances. If your application is refused, you do not get a refund. If you withdraw before a decision is made, you also do not get a refund. Check your eligibility carefully before paying.

After Submitting: Book Biometrics Immediately

After you submit and pay, you receive a confirmation email with a reference number. Your next step is to book a UKVCAS appointment to provide biometrics (fingerprints and a photo).

Go to ukvcas.co.uk and book your appointment. Do this within 24 hours of submitting. Slots at standard service points fill up quickly. Enhanced services (same-day, home visits, out-of-hours) are available for an extra fee.

Bring to your UKVCAS appointment:

• Your current passport or BRP
• Your UKVCAS booking confirmation

Common Mistakes

❌ Missing short trips or day trips in the absences section — Every departure from the UK counts, even a same-day trip to France. The Home Office checks your passport against border records. Omitting a trip is treated as a false declaration.

❌ Incorrect or missing CoS number — Your Certificate of Sponsorship number is in your visa approval email, not on your BRP. Using the wrong number causes delays while the Home Office manually verifies your sponsorship.

❌ Salary evidence that has gaps — You need 6 consecutive payslips from your current employer. If you changed employer recently, you may also need evidence from your previous employer. Gaps cause the Home Office to issue a request for further information, which delays decisions.

❌ Applying more than 28 days before your qualifying date — The 28-day window is exact. Submitting one day too early results in refusal and the fee is lost. See the ILR 28-day rule for how to calculate the window.

❌ Not booking UKVCAS immediately after submitting — Many applicants assume they have days to book. Slots often disappear within hours. Book as soon as your confirmation email arrives.

Expert Tips

1. Build your absence log before opening the application. Cross-reference your passport stamps with your email booking history and bank statements. Having every trip date ready before you start prevents errors and saves time.

2. Request an employer letter 2 weeks before you apply. HR departments are often slow. A letter on company letterhead confirming your job title, start date, and current salary is required. Give them time to produce it correctly.

3. Verify your UKVI account details match your current passport. If your account still shows details from a previous passport, update it before submitting. A mismatch between your application and your biometric appointment can cause problems.

4. Save a copy of every uploaded document. The UKVI online portal does not always let you retrieve uploaded files after submission. Save copies for yourself before the appointment.

5. Use a spreadsheet for absences if you travel frequently. Create columns for departure date, return date, destination, and duration. Total the duration column before submitting to confirm you are under the 180-day limit for each 12-month period.

FAQs

What is the SET O form?

SET O is the ILR application for people on work routes in the UK. It is completed entirely online via a UKVI account. There is no paper version of this form. It covers routes including Skilled Worker, Global Talent, and Scale-up visas.

How much does the SET O ILR application cost?

The fee is £3,226 per person from 8 April 2026. This is non-refundable. You pay when you submit the online application. There is no separate application fee to pay at the biometrics appointment.

How long does it take for a SET O application to be decided?

Standard processing is up to 6 months. The Home Office does not guarantee a specific timeframe. A Priority service (£500) and Super Priority service (£1,000) are available for faster decisions.

Do I need to send my passport by post for a SET O application?

No. The online SET O process uses digital document uploads and a UKVCAS biometrics appointment. You do not post your passport to the Home Office. You bring your passport to your UKVCAS appointment for identity verification.

What happens if I make a mistake on the SET O form?

If you notice an error before submitting, correct it before paying. Once submitted and paid, contact UKVI to inform them of the error. The Home Office may request further information or documents. In serious cases, a false declaration can affect your application outcome.

Can I apply for SET O while still on my current Skilled Worker visa?

Yes, and this is the correct approach. Apply before your current visa expires. If you apply in time (within the validity of your current leave), you gain Section 3C leave — your existing permission to stay continues while the Home Office processes your ILR application. See Section 3C leave explained.

How This Aligns With Official Guidance

The SET O application process is governed by the Immigration Rules (Appendix Skilled Worker and related appendices) and Home Office settlement guidance. The fee structure is set by the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations. The 28-day early application rule is set out in the Immigration Rules. All requirements described in this guide are drawn from published Home Office guidance. Always check gov.uk for current figures before submitting — fees and requirements change.

Official Resources

• Apply for ILR — GOV.UK
• Check if you're eligible for ILR — GOV.UK
• Book UKVCAS biometrics appointment — UKVCAS
• Current immigration fees — GOV.UK

Our Free Tools

• ILR Calculator — check your qualifying date and absence allowance
• Absence Calculator — track your days outside the UK
• Life in the UK Test Practice — required for ILR: start revising now
• Mock Tests — full 24-question timed practice exams
• Cheat Sheet — key facts and dates for your test revision

Start your ILR preparation early. Book your Life in the UK test at least 6–8 weeks before your planned application date — slots fill up. Once you have your pass certificate reference number, your English language evidence, and your 6 months of payslips ready, you can complete the online SET O form in one sitting and submit with confidence.