How to Live Permanently in the UK: ILR & More 2026

Living permanently in the UK is a goal shared by many who have made the United Kingdom their home.

A long-term right to stay in the UK comes from having a lawful basis to live here without an end date attached to your status. For most people, that status is either Indefinite Leave to Remain or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. In other cases, permanent rights arise through nationality law, for example the right of abode.

This guide explains the main routes that can lead to a permanent right to live in the UK, then the additional steps that apply if your longer-term aim is British citizenship. It also sets out the core requirements for naturalisation, so you can understand how settlement and citizenship fit together and what evidence is typically required at each stage.

Section A: What living permanently in the UK means

The permanent right to live in the UK usually means that your immigration position is no longer time limited. Settlement status removes the need for further visa extensions linked to the same route and it generally allows you to live, work and study in the UK without an end date on your permission to stay.

There are different ways to reach that point. The route that applies depends on nationality, family circumstances, immigration history and how you first entered or stayed in the UK lawfully:

a. Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): Grants the freedom to live and work in the UK without time restrictions to those who meet the minimum residency requirements and the other criteria for their category. ILR removes immigration time restrictions and is one route that can satisfy the ‘free from immigration time restrictions’ requirement for naturalisation. Settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme can also meet that requirement.
b. EU Settlement Scheme: Post-Brexit, this scheme provides EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, along with their family members, the opportunity to secure their residency status in the UK, offering either settled or pre-settled status based on the duration of their stay in the UK.
c. Right of Abode: Certain Commonwealth citizens may have the right of abode based on specific historic nationality law criteria, often linked to parental connections to the UK and, in some cases, marital status rules that applied at the time. Eligibility is fact-specific and depends on the law in force when the person was born and on their family circumstances.
d. Statelessness Applications: A pathway for stateless individuals to apply for leave to remain, recognising their unique circumstances and providing a legal means to reside in the UK.
e. Becoming a British Citizen: Offering full participation in British society, the right to vote and eligibility for a British passport.

Each of these routes involves specific eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.

Section B: Main routes to permanent residence

For most visa applicants, living permanently in the UK means qualifying for Indefinite Leave to Remain after spending a set period in the country on a route that leads to settlement. The qualifying period and the requirements you need to meet depend on the type of visa you hold and the rules attached to that category.

The routes below reflect the most common pathways that lead to settlement.

1. Which work visas can lead to ILR?

Many people who move to the UK for employment become eligible for settlement after completing a qualifying period of continuous residence. In most cases, that period is five years. Some routes allow earlier settlement, depending on the category and the individual’s circumstances.

Common work-based pathways include:

a. Individuals sponsored under a work visa route that offers settlement after five years of lawful residence, provided the ongoing sponsorship, salary and role requirements are met at the point of application.

b. Holders of Global Talent or Innovator Founder visas, who may qualify for ILR after three years if they meet the specific endorsement and activity criteria for their route.

c. Commonwealth citizens on a UK Ancestry visa, who can apply for settlement after five years of residence in the UK under that category.

Eligibility does not turn on length of residence alone. You also need to satisfy the continuous residence rules, including limits on absences, meet any relevant salary or financial requirements and comply with the suitability provisions under the UK immigration rules.

2. Can a family visa lead to ILR?

Family members of British citizens and people with settled status can qualify for permanent residence through the family migration framework. The most common route is the partner pathway, which typically leads to settlement after five years on the five-year route, provided the financial, relationship and residence requirements continue to be met.

Applications are made under the family visa provisions, and the exact form and evidence required depend on whether you are applying as a spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, parent or child.

There are also provisions for those facing exceptional circumstances, including where a relationship has ended due to domestic abuse or where a sponsor has died. In such cases, earlier or alternative applications for settlement may be available, subject to the specific rules.

3. Can you qualify for ILR after 10 years in the UK?

The long residence route allows a person to apply for settlement after ten years of continuous lawful residence in the UK across one or more visa categories. The residence must have been lawful throughout the qualifying period and the absence limits set out in the Immigration Rules must be met. This route can be relevant for people who have switched between different visa types over time but have maintained lawful status without significant gaps. It is assessed separately from work or family-based settlement and has its own evidential requirements.

4. How does the EU Settlement Scheme lead to permanent status?

The EU Settlement Scheme was introduced following Brexit to protect the residence rights of eligible EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members who were living in the UK by 31 December 2020.

Under the scheme, applicants can be granted either pre-settled status or settled status. Settled status is generally available after five years of continuous residence and allows a person to remain in the UK without time restriction. Pre-settled status is granted where the five-year threshold has not yet been reached and can lead to settled status once the residence requirement is met.

In practice, pre-settled status holders may see an automatic extension of status and the Home Office has been moving towards automating the move from pre-settled to settled status where its checks confirm eligibility. Even where automation applies, individuals still need to monitor their status and ensure their identity details and Home Office record remain accurate, because errors can affect access to work, rent, benefits and travel.

Although the main deadline to apply was 30 June 2021, some people can still apply where they meet the criteria for a later deadline or can show reasonable grounds for a late application.

5. Which other routes can lead to permanent residence?

Some immigration categories have their own pathway to settlement built into the route. For example, holders of the British National (Overseas) visa can apply for settlement after completing the required period of residence, subject to meeting the residence and suitability requirements.

Other humanitarian routes, including refugee status and humanitarian protection, can also lead to settlement after the relevant qualifying period, provided the individual continues to meet the conditions of their grant.

Each of these routes operates under detailed Immigration Rules. Before planning to live permanently in the UK, it is important to confirm that your current visa category is one that leads to settlement and to understand the timeframes and evidential standards that apply.

Section C: Special categories

Some people can live permanently in the UK without following the standard work, family or long residence pathways. These routes are narrower in scope and depend heavily on nationality law or specific personal circumstances.

1. What is the right of abode and who can qualify?

The right of abode is a status that places a person outside UK immigration control. Someone with the right of abode does not need a visa and is not subject to time limits on their stay. They can enter, live, work and study in the UK without restriction under the UK immigration framework.

All British citizens have the right of abode automatically. Some Commonwealth citizens may also qualify, usually where they have a qualifying connection to the UK through a parent and meet the specific nationality rules that applied at the time of their birth. The eligibility criteria depend on historic nationality legislation and can be highly fact-specific.

Where a person is not a British citizen but believes they qualify, they can apply for a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode to be placed in their passport. This document confirms their status for travel and evidential purposes.

2. Can a stateless person live permanently in the UK?

A stateless person is someone who is not recognised as a national by any country under its law. Statelessness can arise at birth or later in life, often due to changes in borders, nationality laws or administrative practices.

The UK provides a specific application route for stateless individuals to seek leave to remain. Applicants need to show that they are not considered a citizen by any country and that they have taken reasonable steps to try to obtain or confirm nationality where there is a possible connection.

If granted, leave under the stateless person route allows the individual to remain lawfully in the UK and to access work and public services. Depending on the conditions of the grant and the rules in force at the time of application, this status may offer a route towards settlement, but the requirements and timeframes should be checked against current Home Office guidance.

3. Returning residents and historic settlement

People who previously held Indefinite Leave to Remain and later left the UK for an extended period may lose that status if they remain outside the UK beyond the permitted absence period. In some cases, they can apply to return under the returning resident provisions, provided they can show strong ties to the UK and an intention to resume residence.

There are also historic and discretionary schemes, including arrangements connected to the Windrush generation, which can regularise or confirm lawful status for certain individuals with longstanding connections to the UK.

These routes are not open to everyone and depend on detailed factual assessment. Where a person believes they already have a right to live permanently in the UK through nationality law or historic residence, it is important to confirm their position before making any fresh immigration application.

Section D: How to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain

For most visa holders, the practical step that allows you to live permanently in the UK is applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). The precise requirements depend on the immigration category you are switching from, but the core structure of the application is similar across routes.

1. How many days can you spend outside the UK and still qualify for ILR?

Applicants need to show that they have completed the relevant qualifying period of lawful residence in the UK. For many work and family routes, this period is five years. For long residence, it is ten years. Some routes, such as Global Talent or Innovator Founder, may allow settlement after three years where the specific criteria are met.

Continuous residence is assessed against absence limits set out in the Immigration Rules and Home Office guidance. For many routes, including points-based and sponsored work routes, absences are assessed against a 180-day limit in a rolling 12-month period, particularly for absences falling on or after 11 April 2024. Long residence applications are also subject to absence limits, and the calculation can vary depending on the timeframe being relied on, so travel history needs to be checked against the rules that apply to the relevant period.

Short trips abroad for holidays or business are common, but extended or repeated absences can delay eligibility. It is important to review your travel history carefully before submitting an application.

2. Suitability and compliance

Settlement applications are assessed not only on residence but also on suitability. The Home Office will consider whether the applicant has complied with the conditions of their visa, whether there have been breaches of UK immigration rules and whether any criminal convictions or adverse conduct affect the application.

Minor issues do not automatically lead to refusal, but undeclared matters or previous non-compliance can create significant risk. Applicants should ensure that their immigration history is accurate and consistent across all previous applications.

3. English language and Life in the UK requirements

Most adults applying for ILR are required to demonstrate knowledge of the English language and life in the UK. The English requirement is generally met at B1 level speaking and listening or higher, unless an exemption applies. You also have to pass the Life in the UK Test before you can apply.

4. Application forms and evidence

Applications for settlement are made online using the form that corresponds to your immigration category. For example, Form SET (M) is used by those applying on the basis of a qualifying family relationship, while Form SET (O) is commonly used by individuals applying after five years on a work visa or other eligible route.

Supporting documentation typically includes proof of identity, evidence of residence throughout the qualifying period and documents confirming that any financial or sponsorship requirements continue to be met. Applicants also need to provide confirmation of passing the Life in the UK Test and evidence of meeting the English language requirement, unless exempt.

Most applications are decided within several months, although processing times can vary depending on route and individual circumstances. Priority services may be available in some cases for an additional fee.

Further detail on eligibility criteria and costs can be found in our guide to Indefinite Leave to Remain fees and in the dedicated resources linked above.

Section E: English language and Life in the UK Test requirements

Most adults applying for settlement or British citizenship need to show that they have sufficient knowledge of English and life in the UK. These are separate requirements, assessed independently, and both usually need to be satisfied before an application for Indefinite Leave to Remain or naturalisation is submitted.

1. English language requirement

For settlement and citizenship, applicants generally need to demonstrate English speaking and listening ability at level B1 or above on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Higher level qualifications are accepted, but B1 is the standard benchmark for most routes.

You can meet the requirement in one of the following ways:

a. Passing an approved Secure English Language Test with a Home Office recognised provider at the required level.

b. Holding a UK degree certificate, which can be relied upon as evidence that the qualification was taught in English.

c. Holding a non-UK degree that is confirmed as equivalent to a UK qualification and shown to have been taught in English, usually through documentation from Ecctis.

Some applicants are exempt, including those aged 65 or over at the date of application and those with a long term physical or mental condition that prevents them from meeting the requirement. Exemptions are assessed on a case by case basis and medical evidence may be required.

2. Life in the UK Test

The Life in the UK Test assesses knowledge of British history, institutions and values. It is a computer-based test taken at an approved centre. Applicants have 45 minutes to answer 24 multiple choice questions and need to score at least 18 correct answers to pass.

The test currently costs £50 and must be booked in advance. Applicants are expected to study the official handbook before sitting the test. A pass certificate reference number is required when submitting a settlement or citizenship application.

The Life in the UK Test is not required for applications under the EU Settlement Scheme. It applies to most ILR and naturalisation applications unless a specific exemption applies.

Meeting these knowledge requirements is a required part of many permanent residence applications. Failing to pass the Life in the UK Test or provide valid English language evidence will result in refusal, even where the residence requirements are met.

Section F: After settlement – becoming a British citizen

Indefinite Leave to Remain or settled status allows you to live in the UK without time restriction, but it does not make you a British citizen. Citizenship is a nationality status granted under the British Nationality Act 1981 and involves a separate application process known as naturalisation.

Some people are content to remain settled without applying for citizenship. Others choose to naturalise in order to obtain a British passport, secure full voting rights and remove any future risk of losing status through long absences from the UK.

1. When can you apply?

In most cases, you need to have held Indefinite Leave to Remain or settled status for at least 12 months before applying for naturalisation. An exception applies if you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen. In that situation, you can apply as soon as you are granted settlement, provided you meet the other requirements.

Residence requirements differ depending on the basis of the application. Most applicants need to show five years of lawful residence in the UK before the date of application. Spouses and civil partners of British citizens can apply after three years of residence, subject to meeting the statutory criteria.

2. Key eligibility criteria

Naturalisation applications are assessed against several statutory requirements. Applicants generally need to:

a. Be aged 18 or over at the date of application.

b. Be of sound mind, so they understand the nature of the application, subject to limited discretion in appropriate cases.

c. Be of good character, which includes consideration of criminal convictions, financial conduct and immigration compliance history.

d. Meet the English language and Life in the UK Test requirements, unless exempt.

e. Intend to continue living in the UK as their main home.

f. Satisfy the relevant residence and absence limits during the qualifying period.

Applicants also need to have been physically present in the UK on the exact date five years before the application is received, or three years for spouses and civil partners of British citizens. This historic presence requirement is strictly applied and can lead to refusal if overlooked.

3. Application process

Applications for adult naturalisation are usually made using Form AN. Applicants need to submit identity documents, evidence of settlement status, proof of meeting the English language requirement and confirmation of passing the Life in the UK Test.

Two referees are required to support the application. They must meet the Home Office criteria regarding profession and acquaintance with the applicant.

Naturalisation decisions typically take several months. If the application is approved, the applicant will be invited to attend a citizenship ceremony, where they make an oath or affirmation of allegiance and receive their certificate of British citizenship.

British citizenship is a significant legal step. Before applying, it is important to consider whether your home country permits dual nationality and whether acquiring British citizenship will affect your existing nationality status.

Section G: Costs and processing times

Living permanently in the UK involves more than meeting the eligibility rules. Application fees, associated costs and processing timelines all affect when and how you can secure settlement or citizenship.

1. Indefinite Leave to Remain costs

The Home Office charges a substantial application fee for Indefinite Leave to Remain. The fee is payable per applicant, so families applying together will need to factor in the cost for each adult and child.

In addition to the main fee, applicants may incur costs for:

a. English language tests where required.

b. The Life in the UK Test.

c. Document translation if supporting evidence is not in English or Welsh.

d. Priority or super priority processing services, where available.

Further detail on current fees can be found in our guide to ILR fees, which is updated to reflect the latest Home Office charges.

2. EU Settlement Scheme and other routes

Applications under the EU Settlement Scheme are free of charge. However, applicants may still face indirect costs, such as obtaining identity documents or legal advice in more complex cases.

Other routes that lead to settlement, including humanitarian protection or the British National (Overseas) visa, have their own fee structures and qualifying timelines. It is important to review the specific rules for your visa category before planning a settlement application.

3. British citizenship fees and timing

Naturalisation as a British citizen also carries a Home Office fee, payable at the time of application. The cost is separate from any earlier visa or settlement fees and is not refundable if the application is refused.

Once approved, applicants are required to attend a citizenship ceremony, which is included within the application fee. Processing times vary, but decisions often take several months from submission.

Processing timeframes for settlement and citizenship applications depend on Home Office workloads, the completeness of the application and whether any further enquiries are raised. Submitting accurate documentation and ensuring that eligibility criteria are clearly met reduces the risk of delay.

Section H: Summary

For most people, living permanently in the UK means obtaining Indefinite Leave to Remain or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. These forms of settlement remove immigration time limits and allow you to build your life in the UK without needing further visa extensions.

The route to settlement depends on how you first came to the UK and the immigration category you hold. Work visas, family visas and long residence are the most common pathways. Other options, such as the right of abode or the stateless person route, apply in more specific circumstances.

After securing settlement, some people choose to apply for British citizenship. Citizenship is not required in order to remain in the UK permanently, but it provides nationality rights and additional security for the future.

Section I: FAQs

How long do I need to live in the UK before I can stay permanently?

For most work and family routes, the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain is five years of continuous lawful residence. The long residence route requires ten years. Some categories, such as Global Talent, may allow settlement after three years if the specific criteria are met.

Can I live permanently in the UK without a job offer?

Yes, depending on your circumstances. Family visas, long residence and certain humanitarian routes can lead to settlement without a job offer. However, many work-based routes require ongoing sponsorship and employment until settlement is granted.

Does buying property in the UK give me permanent residence?

Purchasing property in the UK does not provide immigration status or a right to remain. You still need to qualify under an appropriate visa route that leads to settlement.

Can I lose Indefinite Leave to Remain?

Indefinite Leave to Remain can lapse if you spend two consecutive years outside the UK, although limited exceptions can apply in specific circumstances. It can also be revoked in cases involving serious criminality or fraud. British citizenship does not lapse in the same way, although it can be withdrawn in limited circumstances.

Do I need to take the Life in the UK Test to get settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme?

The Life in the UK Test is not required for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. It applies to most Indefinite Leave to Remain and naturalisation applications.

Can I apply for British citizenship as soon as I receive ILR?

In most cases, you need to hold Indefinite Leave to Remain for 12 months before applying for naturalisation. If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, you can apply immediately after settlement, provided you meet the other eligibility requirements.

Section J: Glossary

Section K: Additional links