Benefits of ILR: What to Do Next — Complete Guide

What ILR Means Now: Your Status, Rights and Timelines

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is settlement status in the UK. It lets you live, work and study here for as long as you like and, if eligible, access public funds. You can also use ILR to apply for British citizenship. See the UK government definition of settlement and rights on GOV.UK.

Most routes to ILR require a qualifying residence period (for example, five years for Skilled Worker routes, subject to absence limits). For pathway overviews, see the Skilled Worker guidance on GOV.UK.

ILR vs citizenship (quick comparison)

ILR at a glance: what changes the day you’re approved

• Right to work: take any job, change employer freely, or become self‑employed — no sponsorship needed.
• Right to study: enroll in any course; you may qualify for home fees/student finance depending on residency.
• NHS access: continue using the NHS as a settled resident (no Immigration Health Surcharge for extensions).
• Right to rent: prove status digitally to landlords/agents.
• Travel: leave and re‑enter the UK as a resident without visa conditions. Keep your passport valid.
• Public funds: if you previously had “No Recourse to Public Funds,” ILR lifts that condition (eligibility rules still apply).

Digital status (eVisa) and proof of ILR

The Home Office is moving to digital immigration status (eVisa). Create or sign in to your UKVI account using your grant details and keep your email/phone up to date. To prove your status to an employer or landlord, generate a share code from your UKVI account and give it to them along with your date of birth. Share codes are time‑limited — generate a fresh one when needed.

Always keep your passport details current in your UKVI account so your digital record matches the document you travel with.

Your First 30 Days After ILR: Priority Checklist

Use this quick, time‑bound plan to prevent admin headaches and make the most of your status.

1. Set up your UKVI account, verify email/phone, and store login safely.
2. Download and save your ILR grant letter/PDF to two secure locations.
3. Employer: ask HR to complete a digital Right to Work check using your share code.
4. Landlord/agent: provide a Right to Rent share code if requested.
5. Bank/building society: update KYC with ILR to unlock better account options.
6. University/college: update status for fees/records; check home fee/student finance eligibility.
7. GP/NHS records: confirm details and address so letters go to the right place.
8. HMRC and employer payroll: ensure your name/address match across records.
9. Travel readiness: check passport validity; add your passport to your UKVI account.
10. Backups: note your UKVI case IDs/UAN and store with your other key documents.

Set up and secure your UKVI account

Go step‑by‑step:

1. Create/sign in to your UKVI login with your grant details.
2. Turn on 2‑step verification and confirm recovery options.
3. Add your current passport details to match your digital status.
4. Store your login in a reputable password manager; keep backup codes offline.

Update employer, landlord, and key institutions

• Employers (Right to Work): send your share code and date of birth; ask HR to update your file to remove sponsorship conditions.
• Landlords (Right to Rent): provide a share code if a check is required.
• Bank KYC: take your passport and digital proof of status; ask about product upgrades.
• University: update records; ask about home fee criteria and cut‑off dates.
• GP/healthcare: confirm address and contact details.

Check passports and travel readiness

For re‑entry, carry your valid passport and rely on your digital status. Keep booking confirmations and your ILR grant letter accessible in case you need to reference details. If your passport is expiring, renew before long trips and update your UKVI account once you receive the new passport.

The Benefits of ILR You Can Use Now

ILR unlocks day‑to‑day freedoms across work, study, finance, and travel. As GOV.UK and practitioners confirm, settlement lets you live, work, and study without immigration restrictions and, if eligible, access public funds.

Work and business freedoms

• Work without sponsorship: accept offers, change roles, or switch industries with no COS or visa variations.
• Self‑employment: invoice clients, freelance, or become a sole trader.
• Start a company: become a director, raise investment, and hire staff without immigration conditions.
• Professional licensing: ILR removes immigration limits, but sector licences/registrations (e.g., healthcare, legal) still apply.

Study, home fee status, and student finance

With ILR, you can study any course. Whether you qualify for home fees and student finance depends on your residency history (for many routes, ordinary residence over a set period is required). Ask your university’s admissions/finance team about evidence and deadlines for re‑assessment.

Public funds and local support

ILR generally lifts No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF). If you meet eligibility rules, you can apply for benefits such as Universal Credit or Child Benefit. See an overview of ILR rights and public funds from immigration specialists at DavidsonMorris.

Travel and re-entry without visa conditions

As a settled resident, you can leave and re‑enter the UK without a visa. Your passport plus digital status is usually sufficient. Expect standard border checks; eGates may be available depending on nationality and airport systems.

Protect Your ILR: Rules That Can Cost You Status

ILR is indefinite, but it’s not immune to lapses or revocation. Avoid these pitfalls.

Absence rules and keeping ties to the UK

• Two‑year absence rule (ILR): If you stay outside the UK for more than two years, your ILR can lapse; you may need a Returning Resident application to come back. See GOV.UK’s guidance on losing ILR due to long absences here.
• EUSS settled status: Absence limits differ (commonly five years); check the latest Home Office guidance for your route.
• Keep ties: Maintain a UK address, bank activity, HMRC records, and evidence of your intention to live in the UK.

Keep documents and digital proofs safe

• Save your ILR grant letter and any case IDs (UAN, etc.) in two secure places.
• Back up your UKVI account with recovery options and offline backup codes.
• Keep copies of employment, tenancy, and tax records to evidence residence if ever needed.

Good character, convictions, and tax compliance

Serious criminality or tax evasion can threaten your ILR and your future citizenship application under the good character requirement. Keep HMRC records clean and seek advice promptly if issues arise.

Report changes: name, address, passport

Update your UKVI account and notify HMRC, DVLA, banks, your GP and university when details change. Keep all official records aligned to avoid verification delays.

Road to British Citizenship: When and How to Apply

ILR is the key prerequisite for British citizenship. The Home Office usually expects at least 12 months of residence after ILR unless you’re applying as the spouse of a British citizen and already meet the three‑year residence rule. See GOV.UK’s note on the ILR–citizenship link here and a practitioner overview at DavidsonMorris.

Eligibility timelines (5-year route vs spouse route)

• Standard route: Apply for citizenship 12 months after ILR, with at least five years’ residence in total.
• Spouse of a British citizen: You may apply as soon as you get ILR if you already have three years’ residence and meet all other requirements.

For a step‑by‑step walk‑through, see our in‑depth guide to getting British citizenship.

Residence and absence limits for citizenship

Typical limits are:

• 5‑year route: No more than 450 days absent in the last five years and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months.
• Spouse route: No more than 270 days absent in the last three years and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months.
• Physical presence rule: You must have been in the UK exactly three or five years before the application date (depending on your route).

Life in the UK Test and English language

If you passed the Life in the UK Test for ILR, you can normally reuse it for citizenship. Most adult applicants also need an approved English test at B1 or higher, unless exempt. Learn more: Do you need the Life in the UK Test for ILR? and B1 English test options.

Fees, documents, processing times, and ceremony

• Fees: Check the latest Home Office fee for form AN; see our comparison of ILR vs citizenship costs.
• Evidence: Identity documents, residence/absence proof, Life in the UK pass, English certificate (unless exempt).
• Processing: Timelines vary; many cases take several months.
• Ceremony: On approval, you’ll attend a citizenship ceremony to receive your certificate before you can apply for a UK passport.

Prepare smarter with the Life in the UK Test App

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Family and Dependants After You Get ILR

ILR can help you stabilise family routes, sponsor loved ones, and secure your children’s status.

Sponsoring a partner or child

As a settled person, you can sponsor a partner/child under Appendix FM, subject to eligibility (including minimum income, adequate accommodation, and relationship evidence). Check exact financial thresholds and documentation before applying.

Children born before vs after ILR

• Born in the UK after you get ILR: The child is automatically British at birth. This is confirmed by practitioners such as DavidsonMorris.
• Born before you got ILR: You may be able to register your child as British (Form MN1) if criteria are met. Gather residence and parent status evidence.

Upgrading dependants to ILR and citizenship

Dependants usually qualify for ILR after their own qualifying residence (often five years, depending on the route). After ILR, they can follow the same citizenship timelines and requirements as the main applicant.

Practical Life Admin Unlocked by ILR

ILR makes everyday admin easier — here’s how to use it.

Housing and mortgages

• Renting: Provide a Right to Rent share code to letting agents. Keep your passport details current in UKVI.
• Mortgages: Many lenders view ILR positively. Bring proof of income, address history, credit reports, and your ILR evidence.

Driving licence and ID updates

• Tell DVLA about address/name changes on your driving licence.
• Use your passport and digital status as primary ID for most checks.

Job changes and career moves

• Switch employers freely: No CoS, no visa change. Ask HR to remove sponsorship conditions from your file.
• Negotiate start dates without immigration lead times.

Banking and credit profile

• Update KYC to reflect ILR. This may improve access to credit cards, loans, and mortgages.
• Check your credit file with major agencies and correct any address mismatches.

FAQs: Common Issues After ILR (Quick Answers)

Does ILR expire?

ILR is indefinite, but it can lapse if you’re outside the UK for more than two years, or be revoked in rare cases (e.g., serious criminality).

What if I’m outside the UK for 2+ years?

Your ILR may have lapsed. You can apply as a Returning Resident if you can show strong ties and intention to live in the UK.

I can’t prove my status to my employer/landlord

Log in to your UKVI account, generate a new share code, and give it with your date of birth. Check your passport details match.

Do I need to retake the Life in the UK Test?

Usually no — a previous pass can be reused for citizenship. Some routes or dependants may still need it if they haven’t taken it.

Your 90-Day Action Plan

Days 1–7: Secure status and notify key parties

• Set up UKVI, enable 2FA, store backups.
• Share code to employer; update landlord if needed.
• Back up grant letter, case IDs, and travel documents.

Days 8–30: Activate benefits and plan travel

• Update bank KYC; review credit options.
• Confirm NHS/GP records and university status.
• Check passport validity; align UKVI account with your passport.

Days 31–90: Map your citizenship path

• Start an absence log and confirm you meet residence limits.
• Collect evidence (addresses, travel, employment) in one folder.
• Begin Life in the UK Test prep if you haven’t passed yet — use the app below.

Resources and Next Steps

• What ILR means and your rights: GOV.UK settlement overview
• Skilled Worker pathway to ILR: GOV.UK Skilled Worker
• Absence rule and Returning Resident: GOV.UK guidance
• Practitioner overview of ILR benefits and children’s status: DavidsonMorris
• Citizenship after ILR explained: GOV.UK guidance
• In‑depth citizenship roadmap: How to get British citizenship
• Do you need the test for ILR? Life in the UK Test for ILR
• Pick the right English exam: B1 English tests
• Costs comparison: ILR vs citizenship fees
• Health surcharge rules and refunds: IHS 2025 guide

Prepare the smart way with the Life in the UK Test App — complete official content, Brit‑Bear assistant, 650+ questions, realistic mocks with Hard Mode, readiness score, and offline access. Download on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/id6743702124 | Get it on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.briceventures.life_in_the_uk_test