ILR Refusal Risk Checker — Free Assessment 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
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 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 level)
- 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
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
Can I appeal an ILR refusal?
In most cases there is no right of appeal against an ILR refusal. You can request an administrative review if you believe UKVI made a factual error. Otherwise, you must address the reason for refusal and reapply — paying the full fee again. Get advice from an OISC-registered adviser before deciding your next step.
Is the £3,226 ILR fee refunded if my application is refused?
No. The ILR application fee is not refunded regardless of the outcome. This applies even if your application is refused on a technicality. Always check your eligibility carefully before applying.
How long must I wait before reapplying after a refusal?
There is no mandatory waiting period before reapplying for ILR after a refusal. However, you must fix the underlying reason for refusal before reapplying. Reapplying with the same issue will result in a second refusal.
Will a refused ILR application affect my future citizenship application?
A refusal is noted on your immigration record. When you later apply for citizenship, UKVI can see that a previous ILR application was refused and the reason for refusal. This does not automatically bar you from citizenship, but it may be taken into account — particularly if the reason involved dishonesty or a good character issue.
What is the single most common reason ILR is refused?
Breaching the 180-day absence rule is one of the most frequent reasons for ILR refusal. Many applicants are unaware that the rule applies to every rolling 12-month window — not just each calendar year. Use our absence calculator to check all your windows before applying.
Can I apply for ILR even if I have a spent conviction?
Spent convictions must still be declared on your ILR application. Whether they affect your outcome depends on the nature of the conviction, when it occurred, and your conduct since. Get advice from an OISC-registered adviser if you have any conviction history, including old or spent ones.
Related guides and tools
Last reviewed: April 2026 — based on GOV.UK guidance. Always check GOV.UK for the latest rules.