Free ILR Refusal Risk Checker 2026 — Know Your Weak Spots Before You Apply
ILR applications cost £3,226 per person — and the fee is not refunded if refused. Use our free ILR refusal risk checker to identify potential issues before you submit. Answer 9 questions about your qualifying period, documents, and eligibility to get a risk assessment with recommended next steps.
- 9 key refusal factors assessed individually
- Green, amber, or red result per factor
- Overall risk level — low, medium, or high
- Links to fix each issue before you apply
EU citizen with Settled Status? This tool is for ILR applications only. EU citizens do not apply for ILR — Settled Status is the equivalent. Use our citizenship planner for your next steps toward British citizenship.
ILR Refusal Risk Checker
Answer all 9 questions about your ILR situation. Results update as you answer — see which areas need attention before you apply.
0 of 9 answered
Absence rule
Have you stayed within the 180-day absence limit in every 12-month period of your qualifying period?
180 days outside the UK in any single 12-month rolling period is the maximum allowed.
Life in the UK test
Have you passed the Life in the UK test?
You must pass before submitting your ILR application.
English language
Do you meet the English language requirement?
Most applicants need a B1 English certificate unless exempt.
Continuous lawful residence
Have you maintained continuous lawful residence throughout your qualifying period — with no gaps in permission to stay?
Any period of unlawful residence can reset your qualifying period.
Sponsorship (Skilled Worker)
For Skilled Worker applicants: Have you remained with your sponsoring employer or changed employer with a new Certificate of Sponsorship throughout?
Travel history records
Do you have your full travel history — every trip outside the UK with departure and return dates?
UKVI checks your travel history carefully. Gaps or errors can cause delays or refusal.
Financial documents
Do you have all financial evidence ready — payslips, P60s, bank statements, employer letter?
Good character
Is your good character history clean — no criminal convictions, immigration violations, or outstanding civil penalties?
Biometric appointment
Have you completed a biometric enrolment appointment booking (or are you ready to book)?
Most common reasons ILR applications are refused
UKVI publishes refusal reasons and these are well documented through immigration case law. The most common reasons are:
- Breaching the 180-day absence rule in any rolling 12-month period during the qualifying period
- Not having passed the Life in the UK test before submitting the application
- Not meeting the English language requirement — B1 is required for ILR now; rising to B2 from 26 March 2027
- Gaps in continuous lawful residence — periods without valid leave to remain
- Insufficient or missing supporting documents
- Good character issues including convictions, civil penalties, or past deception
- Sponsor issues for Skilled Worker applicants — licence revoked, role changed without a new Certificate of Sponsorship
Important: The English requirement for Skilled Worker visa applications (new grants) rose to B2 from 8 January 2026. ILR settlement applications still require B1 until 26 March 2027 — when B2 becomes the ILR standard. If your ILR application date falls after March 2027, start B2 preparation now.
The cost of a refused ILR application
A refused ILR application is an expensive setback. The £3,226 application fee is not refunded. You must pay the full fee again if you reapply. A refused application is also noted on your immigration record — which can affect future applications including citizenship.
For a family of two adults, a refusal means at minimum £6,452 in repeat fees — assuming you fix the underlying issue and reapply. This is why identifying and resolving issues before you apply is so important.
What to do if you identify a risk
- Absences: use our absence calculator to check every possible 12-month window within your qualifying period
- Documents: use the ILR document checklist to prepare a complete application
- Good character: use the good character checker and seek professional OISC-registered advice if needed
- English: confirm your B1 certificate is still valid and from an approved provider. Use our B1 English level check to test your readiness
- Life in the UK test: if you have not yet passed, start practising now with our free practice questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common reasons ILR is refused?
The most common reasons are: breaching the 180-day absence rule in any rolling 12-month window, not passing the Life in the UK test, not meeting the English language requirement (B1 now; B2 from 26 March 2027), gaps in continuous lawful residence, missing documents, good character issues, and sponsor problems for Skilled Worker applicants. Use the checker above to assess your risk across all these factors.
What is the ILR refusal rate?
The Home Office does not publish a single headline ILR refusal rate. Rates vary significantly by route and individual circumstances. What is consistent is that the £3,226 fee is non-refundable — making a thorough pre-application check essential for every applicant.
Can I reapply after ILR refusal?
Yes. There is no mandatory waiting period before reapplying for ILR after a refusal. However, you must fix the underlying reason for refusal first — submitting again with the same issue will result in a second refusal and a second lost fee. In most cases there is no right of appeal; you can request an administrative review if UKVI made a factual error.
Does a criminal record affect ILR?
Yes. Criminal convictions are assessed as part of the good character requirement. The severity and recency of the conviction matters. Sentences of 4 years or more carry a permanent bar to citizenship; shorter sentences carry time-limited bars. All convictions — including spent ones — must be declared on the ILR application. Use our good character checker to assess your position.
What happens if I have absences over 180 days?
If any rolling 12-month window within your qualifying period contains more than 180 days outside the UK, UKVI can refuse your application. The £3,226 fee is not refunded. You may need to wait until the offending window falls outside your qualifying period. Use our 180-day absence calculator to check every window before you apply.
Will a refused ILR application affect my citizenship application?
A refusal is noted on your immigration record and UKVI will see it when you later apply for citizenship. This does not automatically bar you, but it may be taken into account — particularly if the reason involved dishonesty or a good character issue.
Related guides and tools
Last reviewed: April 2026 — based on GOV.UK guidance. Always check GOV.UK for the latest rules.