You can apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after 5 years of continuous residence in the UK on a spouse or partner visa. You need B1 English (speaking and listening), or B2 if you apply on or after 26 March 2027, a pass in the Life in the UK test, to still be in a genuine relationship with the same partner, and to meet the financial requirement again. The fee is £3,226, with no health surcharge. If your partner is British, you can apply for citizenship as soon as you get ILR.
Checked against GOV.UK: November 2026 (partner or spouse visa, knowledge of English, Immigration Rules Appendix FM E-ILRP).
What is changing: in November 2026 the government confirmed that partners of British citizens will keep a 5-year route to settlement under earned settlement. Partners of people who are settled but not British are expected to move to a longer route. No start date has been set, so the current rules below still apply.
ILR on the partner route at a glance
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Time | 5 years (60 months) continuous residence on a partner visa |
| What doesn't count | Time as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner, and time on other visas |
| English | B1 speaking and listening (or reuse a B1 or higher pass). B2 for applications on or after 26 March 2027 |
| Knowledge of life in the UK | Pass the Life in the UK test (£50) |
| Relationship | Still with the same partner, living together |
| Money | Meet the financial requirement again |
| Fee | £3,226 (no health surcharge) |
The 5-year rule
GOV.UK says the earliest you can apply is after 5 years of continuous residence on a family visa as a partner. Two things catch people out:
- Fiancé(e) time does not count. The 5 years starts from your first visa as a spouse or partner, not from your fiancé(e) visa.
- Time on other visas does not count, such as a student or work visa before you switched to the partner route.
Appendix FM (E-ILRP.1.3) describes this as a period of continuous residence of at least 5 years (60 months). Keep a record of every trip abroad and keep long absences to a minimum. If you have spent long periods outside the UK, get advice before you apply. You can check your trips with our absence calculator.
Can you apply early?
Check the exact earliest date on GOV.UK before you submit. Applying before you have completed the qualifying period can lead to a refusal, and you would lose the £3,226 fee. Our ILR calculator can help you work out your timeline.
English: B1 now, B2 from 26 March 2027
At ILR you need B1 in speaking and listening if you apply before 26 March 2027. The March 2026 Statement of Changes (HC 1691) raises the settlement English level to B2 for applications made on or after 26 March 2027, and this includes family-route ILR through Appendix KoLL. If your 5 years end after that date, plan for B2. Check whether it affects you with our B1 or B2 English checker.
For B1 applications: If you already passed B1 or higher, GOV.UK says you can reuse it, as long as the test is still on the approved list and the certificate has not been withdrawn.
The approved B1 tests include IELTS Life Skills B1, PTE Home B1, LanguageCert ESOL SELT B1 and Trinity GESE Grade 5. You are exempt if you are 65 or over, have a qualifying condition, are a national of a listed majority English-speaking country, or have a degree taught in English.
- Not sure if you are ready? Try the free B1 English check and B1 practice.
- Full details: English requirements for ILR and citizenship.
The Life in the UK test
You must also pass the Life in the UK test: 24 questions in 45 minutes, with a pass mark of 18 out of 24. It costs £50 and is based on the official handbook. A pass never expires, and you reuse it for citizenship.
Start with our free Life in the UK practice tests and mock exams. Most people need a few weeks of study.
The financial requirement at ILR
On the standard 5-year route you must meet the financial requirement again when you apply for ILR, at the same level as your extension:
- £29,000 a year combined income, or
- £18,600 (plus amounts for non-British children) if you first applied as a partner before 11 April 2024 with the same partner, or
- no minimum income if your partner receives certain disability or carer's benefits.
If you cannot meet it, you may need to extend on the longer 10-year route instead. See the spouse visa financial requirement guide.
How much does ILR cost?
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| ILR application fee | £3,226 |
| Life in the UK test | £50 |
| B1 English test (if needed) | about £160 to £209 |
| Priority service (optional) | £500 |
| Super priority (optional) | £1,000 |
There is no Immigration Health Surcharge for ILR. See the full spouse visa cost from visa to passport.
After ILR: British citizenship
If your partner is a British citizen, you do not have to wait 12 months after ILR. You can apply to naturalise as soon as you have ILR, as long as you have lived in the UK for at least 3 years and meet the absence limits (no more than 270 days outside the UK in the 3 years, and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months).
If your partner is not British (for example they have ILR themselves), the usual rule applies and you must hold ILR for 12 months before applying.
Find your earliest date with the citizenship date calculator. Citizenship costs £1,709 plus a £130 ceremony fee.
Practise for the B1 test
Practise speaking and listening with our free B1 English test practice and mock tests, or B2 practice if you will apply on or after 26 March 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I apply for ILR on a spouse visa?
After 5 years (60 months) of continuous residence in the UK on a spouse or partner visa. Time as a fiancé(e) and time on other visas do not count towards the 5 years.
What English level do I need for ILR as a spouse?
B1 in speaking and listening if you apply before 26 March 2027. For applications on or after that date, the level rises to B2 under the March 2026 rule changes (HC 1691). A previous pass at the right level can be reused if the test is still approved and the certificate has not been withdrawn.
Do I need the Life in the UK test for spouse ILR?
Yes. You must pass the Life in the UK test unless you are exempt, for example because you are 65 or over. The test costs £50 and the pass is reused for citizenship.
How much is ILR for a spouse in 2026?
The ILR application fee is £3,226 per person (Home Office fees table, November 2026). There is no health surcharge. Add £50 for the Life in the UK test and a B1 English test if you need one.
Do I need £29,000 for ILR?
Yes, on the standard 5-year route you must meet the financial requirement again at ILR. If you first applied before 11 April 2024 with the same partner, the old £18,600 threshold applies. Some benefits remove the minimum income requirement.
Can I apply for citizenship straight after ILR if my spouse is British?
Yes. Spouses and civil partners of British citizens do not need to wait 12 months after ILR. You can apply as soon as you have ILR, provided you have 3 years' residence and meet the absence limits.