X-twitter Linkedin Instagram Tiktok
  • 01706276803
  • info@myukvs.co.uk
  • Home
  • Personal Immigration
    • Asylum
    • UK Visitor Visa
    • Fiance Visa
    • Partner/Spouse Visa
    • Ancestry Visa
      • Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
    • British Citizenship
      • Register of a Child as a British Citizen
      • Naturalisation as a British Citizen
      • Registering as a British Citizen​
      • Automatic Nationality by Birth or Descent
    • Adult Dependent Relative Visa
    • Fee Waiver For UK Visas
  • Business Immigration
    • Sponsorship Licence
      • Sponsorship Licence: Duties and Compliance For Employers
      • Sponsorship Licence: Compliance Checks
      • Self-Sponsorship
    • Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
    • Business Visit Visa
    • Skilled Worker Visa
    • Health & Care Worker Visa
    • Global Business Mobility Visas
      • Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
    • Temporary Worker Visa
    • International Sportsperson Visa
    • Student Sponsor Licence
    • Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
  • Immigration Appeals
    • Administrative Review
    • Bail Applications
    • Immigration Judicial Review
    • Visa Appeal
  • Family Law
    • Financial Arrangements
    • Domestic Abuse
    • Divorce & Separation
  • About Us
  • Home
  • Personal Immigration
    • Asylum
    • UK Visitor Visa
    • Fiance Visa
    • Partner/Spouse Visa
    • Ancestry Visa
      • Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
    • British Citizenship
      • Register of a Child as a British Citizen
      • Naturalisation as a British Citizen
      • Registering as a British Citizen​
      • Automatic Nationality by Birth or Descent
    • Adult Dependent Relative Visa
    • Fee Waiver For UK Visas
  • Business Immigration
    • Sponsorship Licence
      • Sponsorship Licence: Duties and Compliance For Employers
      • Sponsorship Licence: Compliance Checks
      • Self-Sponsorship
    • Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
    • Business Visit Visa
    • Skilled Worker Visa
    • Health & Care Worker Visa
    • Global Business Mobility Visas
      • Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
    • Temporary Worker Visa
    • International Sportsperson Visa
    • Student Sponsor Licence
    • Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
  • Immigration Appeals
    • Administrative Review
    • Bail Applications
    • Immigration Judicial Review
    • Visa Appeal
  • Family Law
    • Financial Arrangements
    • Domestic Abuse
    • Divorce & Separation
  • About Us
Contact Us

Indefinite Leave to Remain

If you need support with your application for indefinite leave to remain status, get in touch with our immigration lawyers today.

BOOK CONSULTATION
One of our solicitors will get back to you as soon as possible.
Loading

Your Legal Matters, Matter.

If you need legal advice around family or immigration law, get in touch with our team of solicitors. 

Book a Consultation

What is Indefinite Leave to Remain?

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is a critical immigration status for people who wish to make the UK their permanent place of residence. Usually, this status is following time spent in the UK using another visa.

ILR signifies that you have been granted permission to live and work in the UK without any time restrictions. ILR is often a significant event for immigrants, as it paves the way for permanent residence in the country.

UK Visa Specialists, are dedicated to assisting individuals and families navigate the complex and ever-changing landscape of UK immigration law. We can support you to make sure that your ILR process is as smooth as possible. We’ll help to support you with whatever you require,  including the application process is needed.

Our team of immigration lawyers is committed to making sure that your ILR application is successful.

Table of Contents

Who Can Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain?​

ILR is typically available to individuals who have spent a significant amount of time in the UK on a qualifying visa, such as:

  • Spouse or Partner Visa
  • Tier 2 (General) Visa
  • Ancestry Visa
  • Long Residence
  • Investor or Entrepreneur Visa

If you’d like to discuss your immigration requirements with one of our lawyers, please get in touch with us using the contact form or by calling us on 0161 843 9000

Indefinite Leave to Remain UK

Get in Touch For Legal Advice

Contact Us

Indefinite Leave to Remain Guidance

At UKVS Solicitors, we offer expert support to help you secure Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK. Our experienced immigration lawyers guide you through every step of the process, from assessing your eligibility to preparing your application and ensuring all required documents are in order. We make sure your application meets the Home Office’s strict criteria for ILR, increasing your chances of success.

If your ILR application is refused, our team can help you understand the reasons behind the decision and advise on your next steps, including the possibility of an appeal or reapplication. We provide tailored advice to address any issues, ensuring your case is handled effectively.

Once granted ILR, UKVS Solicitors can also help you with the process of applying for UK citizenship, providing clear guidance on the requirements and ensuring that your transition to full settlement is smooth. With UKVS Solicitors by your side, you can navigate the complexities of ILR applications with confidence and ease.

Table of Contents

If You Work in the UK

If you’re working in the UK on a work visa, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Generally, you need to have lived and worked in the UK for 5 years. However, if you hold a Tier 1 visa, you may be eligible after 2 or 3 years. For those with an Innovator Founder or Global Talent visa, the requirement is typically 3 years.

In some cases, you may also need to meet salary or financial criteria, depending on your specific visa type.

The application process varies based on the type of visa you hold, including:

  • Tier 2, T2, International Sportsperson, or Skilled Worker visa holders
  • Scale-up Worker visa holders
  • Global Talent, Tier 1 Entrepreneur, or Investor visa holders
  • Innovator Founder visa holders
  • Representatives of overseas businesses
  • Turkish Worker or Businessperson visa holders
  • Private servants in diplomatic households with an International Agreement or domestic worker visa.

If You Have Family in the UK

You may be eligible to apply for a visa if you have a partner, parent, child, or other relative who is settled in the UK, either as a British citizen or as a person with indefinite leave to remain.

The application process depends on your visa type and how your family member settled in the UK.

There are also alternative application options if:

  • Your partner has passed away
  • Your relationship ended due to domestic violence.

If You’ve Lived in the UK For 10 Years

To be eligible for indefinite leave to remain, you must have permission to stay (‘leave to remain’) in the UK and have lived there legally for 10 years without gaps in your residence, known as ‘continuous residence’. This period can include time spent under various immigration categories or a combination of them.

Typically, you must have held your current permission to stay for at least one year. If you hold a family visa and your partner is a British citizen or is settled in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain as a partner instead.

Knowledge of Language and Life

If you are aged 18 to 65, you must:

  • Pass the Life in the UK Test
  • Prove you have sufficient English language skills

If you don’t meet these requirements, you may still apply to extend your stay.

Continuous Residence

Continuous residence means you’ve lived in the UK without significant gaps. You can leave the UK for up to 180 days within any 12-month period without breaking this continuous residence.

Time spent on certain visas, such as a Standard Visitor visa, Short-term study visa, or Seasonal Worker visa, does not count towards continuous residence. Additionally, you cannot count time spent in the UK while overstaying or in prison, a young offender institution, or a secure hospital.

If you’ve spent time abroad, you cannot exceed 548 days in total or 184 days in any 12 months during the 10-year qualifying period to maintain continuous residence.

Get Legal Support

If you would like more advice or to discuss your legal matter with one of our solicitors, you can contact our team on 0161 843 9000 or complete our enquiry form at the top of the page.

Contact Us

Rochdale Office

106 Yorkshire Street, Rochdale, OL16 1JY

Manchester Office

First Floor Offices, 94 Withington Road, Whalley Range, Manchester, M16 8FA

Contact

  • Email:
    info@myukvs.co.uk
  • Manchester Office:
    +44 161 843 9000
  • Rochdale Office:
    +44 1706 276803
UKVS
Specialised in personal and business immigration.

UKVS Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. 

Registered office address is 106 Yorkshire Street, Rochdale, OL16 1JY.

Immigration Solicitors Manchester

Copyright © 2026 UKVS Solicitors.