ILR Eligibility Calculator — When Can You Apply? (2026)

Use our free ILR eligibility calculator to find out when you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK. Enter your visa type and UK entry date to get your exact eligibility date and a full cost breakdown. Results are based on current Home Office rules.

• Your earliest ILR eligibility date based on your visa route
• The qualifying period that applies to your route
• Total cost estimate including the ILR fee, biometric enrolment, and test fees
• B1 English and Life in the UK test cost included where required

What is ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain)?

Indefinite Leave to Remain gives you a permanent right to live and work in the UK with no time limit on your stay. It is sometimes called settlement. ILR is different from British citizenship — you do not get a British passport, and ILR can lapse if you spend too long outside the UK.

For most visa routes, you must hold ILR for at least 12 months before you can apply for British citizenship. Getting ILR is the step between a time-limited visa and becoming a British citizen.

ILR qualifying periods by visa route

The number of years you must live in the UK before applying for ILR depends on your visa type:

• Skilled Worker / Tier 2: 5 years continuous residence
• Family visa (spouse of a British citizen): 5 years
• UK Ancestry: 5 years
• Global Talent: 3 years (shorter qualifying period)
• Long Residence: 10 years continuous lawful residence
• Proposed extension to 10 years for most routes — not yet law as of April 2026

The 180-day absence rule

During your qualifying period, you must not spend more than 180 days outside the UK in any single 12-month window. This is a rolling window — it is not calculated from 1 January to 31 December. Any consecutive 12-month period is checked.

Short trips add up quickly. Business travel, family visits, and holidays all count. Breaching this rule can make your ILR application ineligible. Use our absence calculator to check if any of your trips breach the 180-day limit.

What the ILR application costs

• ILR application fee: £3,226 per person (from 8 April 2026)
• Biometric enrolment at UKVCAS: £19.20 per person (separate from application fee)
• Life in the UK test: £50 per adult (if not already passed)
• B1 English test: £150–£215 per adult (Skilled Worker applicants are exempt)
• The fee is not refunded if your application is refused

Frequently Asked Questions

How many years do I need to live in the UK before applying for ILR?

Most visa routes require 5 years of continuous residence. Global Talent visa holders qualify after 3 years. Long Residence applicants need 10 years of continuous lawful residence.

Can I apply for ILR early?

You can submit your ILR application up to 28 days before your qualifying date. UKVI will not process it if submitted earlier than this.

What is the 180-day rule for ILR?

You must not spend more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period during your qualifying period. This limit applies to every possible 12-month window, not just the calendar year.

Is the ILR fee refunded if my application is refused?

No. The £3,226 ILR fee is not refunded if your application is refused. You must pay the full fee again if you reapply.

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

Yes, most adult ILR applicants must have passed the Life in the UK test before submitting their application. The pass certificate reference number is included on the application form. Some exemptions apply — see our exemption checker.

What happens to my ILR if I leave the UK for a long time?

ILR lapses if you spend 2 or more continuous years outside the UK. If this happens you will need to apply to re-enter under a different route. British citizenship does not lapse in the same way — which is one reason many people apply for citizenship once they are eligible.

Last reviewed: April 2026 — based on GOV.UK guidance. Always check GOV.UK for the latest rules.