🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Permanent Residency
Permanent-residence routes: eligibility, required years of residence, and the official application steps — including any investment routes where a country offers them.
Quick answer
The UK equivalent of permanent residence is Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), usually available after five years on a qualifying visa (e.g. Skilled Worker), meeting residence, English and Life in the UK test requirements. ILR allows living and working without time limit.
Permanent residence in the UK is called Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), or "settlement". You usually qualify after a continuous qualifying period — most commonly five years on an eligible work or family route (shorter for some routes such as Global Talent) — and must meet residence, English-language and Life in the UK test requirements. Note the government has consulted on lengthening the standard qualifying period, so verify the current rule on GOV.UK.
- Most routes require five years' continuous, lawful residence; some (e.g. Global Talent, Innovator Founder) can qualify in three.
- You usually must pass the Life in the UK test, meet an English-language requirement and not exceed permitted absences.
- EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and their family may instead use the EU Settlement Scheme.
- The qualifying period and rules are under review (a 2025–26 consultation proposed up to ten years) — confirm the current requirement on GOV.UK before applying.
Step-by-step
- 1
Choose your ILR route
Indefinite Leave to Remain usually follows 5 years on a qualifying visa (Skilled Worker, family, Global Talent) or 10 years’ lawful long residence.
- 2
Meet the residence and absence rules
Keep within allowed absences (generally no more than 180 days in any 12 months) and maintain your visa status throughout.
- 3
Pass Life in the UK and English
Pass the Life in the UK test and meet the English-language requirement before applying for ILR.
- 4
Apply to the Home Office
Apply online to the Home Office, pay the fee, and enrol biometrics; a priority service can speed up the decision.
- 5
Receive ILR (settled status)
ILR lets you live and work without time limit, but can lapse after 2 years’ continuous absence from the UK.
- 6
Understand path to citizenship
You can usually apply for British citizenship 12 months after getting ILR (immediately if married to a British citizen).
Checklist
- ILR route (5-year visa / 10-year long residence)
- Absence limits (≤180 days per 12 months)
- Life in the UK test + English requirement
- Home Office application + fee + biometrics
- ILR (lapses after 2 years’ absence)
- Live/work without time limit
- Citizenship ~12 months after ILR
- Keep records of residence/absences
Official authorities
- Indefinite leave to remain (GOV.UK)
Official guide to checking if you can settle and how to apply.
- Live permanently in the UK (GOV.UK)
Settlement routes by category.
Frequently asked questions
What is Indefinite Leave to Remain?
ILR (settlement) lets you live, work and study in the UK without immigration time limits, usually after five years on a qualifying route.
What are the main requirements?
A qualifying visa history (commonly five years), limited absences, and passing the Life in the UK test and English requirement.
Can ILR be lost?
Yes — ILR can lapse if you spend too long outside the UK (generally over two years).
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- UK Government (GOV.UK) — UK's unified government services portal — visas, taxes, driving licences, benefits and more
- UK Visas and Immigration — UK visa applications, Biometric Residence Permits (BRP), and work authorization
- HM Revenue & Customs — Self Assessment tax returns, National Insurance, VAT registration and payment