What are the main routes to Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK?
The most common routes to ILR are: completing five years on a Skilled Worker visa or other work-based route; completing five years on a family visa as the spouse or partner of a British citizen or settled person; completing 10 years of continuous lawful residence; and certain other routes such as long residence, Tier 1 investor, and domestic violence. Each route has specific qualifying requirements.
What is the Life in the UK test and who needs to take it?
The Life in the UK test is a 24-question multiple choice exam covering British traditions, history, and values. Most ILR applicants aged between 18 and 64 must pass the test before applying. You must book and sit the test at an approved test centre and receive a pass notification. There is no limit on the number of attempts but you must wait seven days between resits. The fee per attempt is £50.
What English language requirements apply to ILR?
Most ILR routes require you to demonstrate English language ability at CEFR level B1 or above. This is usually satisfied by passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider, holding a degree taught in English from a recognised institution, or being a national of a majority English-speaking country. Applicants aged 65 and over are usually exempt.
How many days can I spend outside the UK before my ILR application?
Most ILR routes allow a maximum of 180 days absence in any 12-month period during the qualifying period. For the 10-year continuous lawful residence route, you must not have spent more than 540 days outside the UK in total. You should calculate your absences carefully using passport stamps and travel records before applying.
What form do I use to apply for ILR and how is it submitted?
The form depends on your route. SET(O) is used for most work and long-residence routes. SET(M) is used for spouses and partners of British citizens or settled persons. SET(DV) is used for victims of domestic violence. Applications are submitted online via the UKVI application portal at gov.uk/settle-in-the-uk, with a biometric appointment at a UKVCAS centre to submit documents.
What happens at the biometric appointment for an ILR application?
At your UKVCAS biometric appointment you will provide your fingerprints and photograph and submit your supporting documents. You can book a standard appointment at no additional cost or pay for an enhanced service appointment. You should bring all original documents including your passport, Life in the UK test pass notification, language certificate, and evidence of your qualifying residence period.
What post-Windrush safeguards apply to ILR applications?
Following the Windrush Scandal, the Home Office introduced enhanced safeguards for long-residence applications including more flexible evidential requirements, a dedicated Windrush Scheme for those affected, and a commitment to give applicants the benefit of the doubt where documentation is difficult to obtain. If you face evidential difficulties due to age or circumstances, you can explain this in your application.
Is EU Settlement Scheme settled status the same as ILR?
EU Settlement Scheme settled status is functionally equivalent to ILR and grants the same right to live and work in the UK indefinitely. It was granted to EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals who applied under the EUSS by 30 June 2021. Settled status holders can apply for British citizenship in the same way as ILR holders after meeting the qualifying residence requirements.
Does any part of the ILR application process require a solicitor?
No. You can apply for ILR entirely online without a solicitor. The GOV.UK guidance sets out precisely what evidence you need for each route. A solicitor or regulated immigration adviser can be helpful if your case is complex — for example, if you have had previous visa refusals, criminal convictions, or gaps in your lawful residence.
How does uplaw.ai help with ILR applications in the UK?
Tell us your visa route, how long you have been in the UK, your absence record, and whether you have passed the Life in the UK test. We help you identify the right form, check your eligibility, compile your evidence checklist, and prepare your SET application without a solicitor.
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