To obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), you must first ensure that you are eligible and meet all the minimum requirements. Failing to do so may result in your application being rejected, so we highly recommend taking the time to go through the information, and enlist the help of immigration lawyers if you need additional support on your case.

ILR application requirements

While some of the requirements may apply to all routes, some will be specific depending on what visa you currently hold and which route you are applying under.

2, 3 and 5-year routes

If you hold a Work Visa and have been in the UK for 5 years, you may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. You will need to provide documentation to show that you have been lawfully working in the UK for the required amount of time.

Some visas may enable you to apply after 2 or 3 years. These include:

Some Family Visas may also qualify for 2 or 5-year routes. These visas will have additional requirements to prove your relationship with either your partner, parents or children.

There are other visas that may be eligible so please get in touch if you have any queries regarding your case.

10-year route requirements

This longer route may also be applicable to parents and partners, but also other individuals who have accumulated 10 years of lawful residence in the UK.

For all routes, you will need to demonstrate that you have been continuously fulfilling the requirements of your current visa route, and that you have not been absent from the UK for extended periods of time.

Key criteria you need to fulfil

Once you’ve assessed that you are eligible for your chosen route, the Indefinite Leave to Remain requirements you will need to meet include and do not limit to:

  • Passing the Life in the UK Test
  • Demonstrating your knowledge of the English Language
  • Showing that you meet the financial requirements

Need further guidance?

If you would like specific advice on your case, you can book a consultation with one of our expert immigration lawyers. Our knowledgeable team has decades of experience working with the Home Office, and some of our team have previously worked for the Home Office, so we can build a strong case with exceptional chances of obtaining Indefinite Leave to Remain. Please get in touch here.

You may also want to read the following information:

Need more information?

Learn more about how we work and support you through the UK Immigration Application Process.

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Testimonials

What do our users say

Thank you very much for your contribution and good job you have done for me and my family. Today, I feel that thanking you is not enough. You will remain in our hearts and we will always have this deepest and sincere regard for you, as you have always shown your kindness and your work have been appreciated by the whole family.

Long Residence Settlement (10 years) client – Mauritian

Qiyin is an extremely diligent and thorough immigration lawyer. She took the time to fully understand my case and application for the highly skilled migrant program. She was very careful to consider both the short and longer term issues related to my application and provided very balanced and frank advice. My highly skilled migrant visa was successfully renewed thanks to her advice and help. I highly recommend her.

Tier 1 (General) visa client – Singaporean

I would like to thank you for all the hard work you’ve done for us in the past few years! I am now finished with the whole process and had my UK Citizenship ceremony. We couldn’t have gotten this far without you!

Entry Clearance Settlement (Spouse) visa client – Canadian

Thank you for all your help. I got the visa this morning and look forward to going on holiday. See you again in 30 months for the next visa.

PEO same-day service (Spouse leave to remain) client – Thai

We are so glad that our friend recommended you to help with our ILR application and we have no doubt it may have been a different story if we were applying without your support! We appreciate your professional approach and knowledge on immigration matters and wish your business well in the future (we are sure you will be very successful). Have no doubt we will be using your services for our application for Citizenship.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (Spouse) client – Russian

The QC Immigration team has proved an absolute star on the immigration front and my son’s fiancée is now happily settled, thank you again.

Partner (Fiancée) Settlement Visa – Brazilian

Many thanks for all your work on our application, especially since I contacted you on short notice! I contacted you on Sept 22nd and we signed up with you on/around Sept 27th! So we pulled this all together a little over 3 weeks.

Premium Service (Fiancée) Partner visa client – American

You have exceeded our expectations by saving us so much time and money when organising this! Thank you for also co-operating with our investment manager and accountant to ensure everything ran smoothly.

Tier 1 Investor (Super Premium Service) client – Chinese

Naturalisation (British Citizenship) client - Dutch

EEA Permanent Residence client – Belgian

My family and I were very emotional receiving the good news today. Thank you for all your help and we will definitely recommend you to our European friends who are planning ahead after Brexit!

Naturalisation (British Citizenship) client – Dutch

My family and I were very emotional receiving the good news today. Thank you for all your help and we will definitely recommend you to our European friends who are planning ahead after Brexit!

Naturalisation (British Citizenship) client – Dutch