Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Eligibility Calculator UK 2025
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) gives you the right to live and work in the UK permanently without any time restrictions. Most people need to live lawfully in the UK for 5 years before applying, pass the Life in the UK test, and meet English language requirements. This calculator checks whether you are eligible and identifies any issues with your qualifying period.
ILR fee 2025: £2,885. Qualifying period: 5 years (most routes), 10 years (long residence), 3 years (some exceptional talent). Absence limit: 180 days per rolling 12 months. Life in the UK test: £50, 24 questions, 75% pass mark. English language: B1 CEFR minimum. Criminal convictions may bar ILR. Check your visa expiry and apply before it expires to avoid switching issues.
ILR Qualifying Periods by Route
| Immigration route | Qualifying period | Key notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker (former Tier 2) | 5 years | Must meet salary threshold throughout; cannot have had any immigration breach |
| Spouse / civil partner | 5 years | Both parties must intend to continue living together; relationship must be genuine |
| Global Talent | 3 or 5 years | 3 years for Exceptional Talent; 5 years for Exceptional Promise |
| Long residence | 10 years | Continuous lawful residence for 10 years; any gaps reset the clock |
| EU Settlement (pre-settled) | 5 years total UK residence | Converting pre-settled to settled status when 5-year threshold reached |
| UK Ancestry | 5 years | Must have been working throughout the qualifying period |
The Absence Rules in Detail
For most routes, you must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period during your qualifying period. This is assessed on a rolling basis, not calendar year. Key points:
- The day you leave the UK and the day you return both count as days in the UK
- Calculate each rolling 12-month window within your qualifying period, not just the total
- Absences for permitted activities (e.g. overseas postings by UK employer) may be discounted with evidence
- For Spouse route: absences due to serious illness, family emergency, or work may be more flexible
- Keep all boarding passes, passport stamps, and travel records for the entire qualifying period
Life in the UK Test — How to Prepare
The Life in the UK test must be passed at an approved test centre (£50 fee). The test covers: British history; government and the law; values and principles; the United Kingdom; and a modern, thriving society. Study materials: the official “Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents” (third edition). Practice tests are available online. Most people pass after 2–4 weeks of study from the official handbook. The pass mark is 18 out of 24 correct answers (75%).
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the nature and sentence. A custodial sentence of 12 months or more is an absolute bar to ILR. Sentences of 1–12 months: barred for 10 years from end of sentence. Non-custodial sentences or shorter terms: usually not a bar unless you have multiple convictions or the offence is particularly serious. The Home Office assesses each case under general grounds for refusal. Seek specialist immigration legal advice if you have any conviction.
Yes — ILR (or settled status) is a prerequisite for British citizenship by naturalisation. After ILR, you must wait 12 months before applying for citizenship (or 3 years if you are a spouse of a British citizen). During that 12 months you must not have been outside the UK for more than 90 days and must not have breached immigration law. Citizenship application fee: £1,630 (adults, 2025). Dual citizenship is generally permitted depending on your original nationality.