Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK in 2026

Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) is how you settle in the UK — it is also simply called "settlement". ONLYWAY NEWS has gathered the official GOV.UK rules that apply in 2026: the routes available, how long you must live in the country and which tests you must pass.

What does ILR give you?

ILR gives you the right to live, work and study in the UK for as long as you like, and to apply for benefits if you are eligible. Once you have ILR, you can also later apply for British citizenship.

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How many years do you need?

The qualifying period depends on your route:

• Work: usually 5 years living and working in the UK. On a Tier 1 visa it can be 2 or 3 years, and on an Innovator Founder or Global Talent visa it can be 3 years.
• Family: if you have a partner, parent, child or other relative settled in the UK.
• Long residence: 10 years or more of living in the UK.
• Commonwealth citizens: 5 years on a UK Ancestry visa.
• British National (Overseas) visa: 5 years of living in the UK.

Separate rules apply to refugees, people with humanitarian protection, armed forces members, returning residents and stateless people with permission to stay. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens usually apply for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme instead, and work routes may also apply salary or financial requirements depending on the visa.

Are there any special points about the routes?

Some Commonwealth citizens have the "right of abode", which lets them live and work in the UK without immigration restrictions. The family route has separate rules if your partner has died or the relationship ended because of domestic violence. On the long residence route, a different process applies to visas granted on the basis of private life. Getting ILR is often a step towards British citizenship, which has its own separate conditions.

Do you have to take the Life in the UK Test?

Yes, most people applying to settle need to take the Life in the UK Test. It costs £50 and has 24 questions about British traditions and customs, with 45 minutes to complete it. You must book online at least 3 days in advance, and there are more than 30 test centres across the country.

Who is exempt from the test?

You do not take the test if you are under 18, aged 65 or over, have already passed it, or have a long-term physical or mental condition — the last group must provide a doctor's letter or an exemption form.

Do you need English?

As well as the test, settlement usually requires you to prove your knowledge of English. The exact set of requirements and the list of exemptions depend on your category, so it is worth checking the guidance for your specific route before applying.

Always check the exact requirements for your route on GOV.UK before applying. This guide was prepared by the ONLYWAY NEWS editorial team.