UK Visa Routes to ILR 2026: Your Fast-Track Guide

Start Here: What ILR (Settlement) Means in the UK

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) — also called settlement — lets you live, work and study in the UK with no time limit, access benefits if eligible, and later apply for British citizenship. That’s the milestone most migrants aim for on the UK immigration roadmap.

ILR vs limited leave: ILR removes your visa expiry and work restrictions. ILR vs British citizenship: ILR is not a passport; it is usually a stepping stone to citizenship once residence and good-character rules are met. For a deeper comparison, see Difference Between ILR and Citizenship.

From BRP to eVisa: the Home Office is moving status to digital eVisa. If you hold a BRP, create your UKVI account and keep your contact details up to date to access your status online.

2026 Snapshot: Which UK Visas Lead to ILR?

Most settlement routes are 5 years, with notable 3-year fast tracks and 10-year options. The UK government has consulted on an “earned settlement” system that could change timings in future — always check the latest official guidance before you apply.

Government consultation notes that around 40 of ~70 routes lead to settlement, with a usual qualifying period of 5 years, but proposals explore longer waits with potential reductions for high-skilled routes. Treat this as policy-in-development and monitor updates.

Fast-Track 3-Year Routes to ILR

These are the fastest mainstream routes to settlement if you qualify. Expect strict eligibility and evidence standards.

Global Talent Visa to ILR (3 Years)

Global Talent workers can qualify for ILR after 3 continuous years if endorsed (or via an eligible prize) and they meet residence and KoLL. Endorsement bodies assess exceptional talent or promise across tech, science, arts and culture.

• Eligibility markers: valid endorsement or prize; work aligns with your field; continuous residence; KoLL (B1 English + Life in the UK Test).
• Evidence: endorsement letter/prize proof; portfolio and achievements; UK presence (travel records); earnings evidence is often helpful where relevant.
• Pitfalls: endorsement withdrawn; excessive absences; switching late and breaking continuity; not booking KoLL in time.

Considering Global Talent vs Skilled Worker? See our detailed comparison in Global Talent Visa to ILR: 3‑Year Fast‑Track Guide.

Innovator Founder Visa to ILR (3 Years)

Innovator Founder offers ILR after 3 years if your endorsed business meets specified success criteria, including progress milestones and potential for scale. You cannot combine time spent in other categories for this 3-year calculation.

• Core checks: valid endorsement; business is active, trading, and meets criteria (e.g., growth, customers, or job creation/scale indicators as set by the rules).
• Residence: no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months; maintain continuous residence.
• Evidence: endorsement letter(s), business plan, financials, traction metrics, employer records if jobs created, and your day‑to‑day role.
• Pitfalls: under‑evidenced growth, missing records, or delays in hitting milestones — build an evidence pack from day one.

Standard 5-Year Routes to ILR

These are the most common routes. Focus on continuity, salary/financial thresholds, correct sponsorship, and KoLL.

Skilled Worker and Health & Care Worker (5 Years)

After 5 years of continuous residence as a Skilled Worker or Health & Care Worker, you may qualify for ILR if:

• Your employer holds a valid sponsor licence and your role matches the correct SOC code on your latest CoS.
• Your salary meets the ILR threshold and relevant going rate at the time of application under Appendix Skilled Worker (rules and figures change — check current guidance).
• You meet absence limits and KoLL (B1 English + Life in the UK Test).

Common blockers: salary dips below threshold, wrong SOC code, or excessive absences. Keep payslips, contracts and HR letters ready.

Scale-up Worker to ILR

Scale-up can lead to ILR after 5 years across sponsored and unsponsored stages. Expect to evidence PAYE earnings over a qualifying period and maintain continuous residence. Nuances differ between stages, so keep careful payroll records and contracts.

Spouse/Partner (Appendix FM) — 5-Year Route

On the 5-year partner route, you’ll usually qualify for ILR after 5 continuous years living in the UK as a partner and meeting suitability and relationship rules. You must meet the financial requirement unless an exemption applies.

• Financial requirement: combined income usually at least £29,000 (applications on/after 11 April 2024; always check updates).
• Evidence: relationship and cohabitation documents, accommodation, and KoLL for applicants aged 18–64.
• Refusals: gaps in cohabitation evidence, shortfall on the financial requirement, or suitability issues.

UK Ancestry to ILR

Commonwealth citizens with a UK‑born grandparent can settle after 5 years if they’ve been working or seeking work in the UK and meet residence rules. Keep evidence of employment and absences; dependants may qualify with you.

Minister of Religion & International Sportsperson

Both routes typically settle after 5 years, subject to sponsorship, income/maintenance where relevant, continuous residence, and KoLL. Ensure your role and pay reflect sponsor duties and the immigration rules for your category.

10-Year Routes to ILR

Choose a 10-year route if you can’t meet a 3‑ or 5‑year category’s requirements, or if your lawful residence spans multiple categories. Two common paths are Long Residence (10 years) and the Family/Private Life 10-year routes.

Long Residence (10 Years)

Requires 10 years of continuous lawful residence in qualifying categories, with strict absence limits (often assessed on a rolling basis). Many categories can count; if you’re in a non‑settlement route late on, consider switching to a settlement route before applying.

Family Life and Private Life (10-Year Route)

If you don’t meet the 5-year partner rules, you may continue on a 10‑year family or private life path, meeting suitability, residence and KoLL (unless exempt). Evidence demands are higher: prove your family ties, integration, and the impact of refusal.

Protection, EUSS and Special Cases

Some routes outside work/family also lead to ILR.

Refugee or Humanitarian Protection

Those granted refugee status or humanitarian protection typically qualify for ILR after 5 years, subject to residence and suitability checks. Maintain travel records and any identity documents you hold.

EU Settlement Scheme: Settled Status

Settled status is ILR‑equivalent after 5 years’ continuous residence under the EUSS. Pre‑settled status holders should upgrade once eligible. Family members may qualify depending on the relationship and residence.

Hong Kong BN(O) Route to ILR

BN(O) status holders and eligible family members can secure ILR after 5 years if they meet residence and (where applicable) maintenance/financial rules, with standard suitability checks.

Routes That Don’t Lead Directly to ILR (But Can Count to 10 Years)

Avoid false starts. Popular non‑settlement visas like Student, Graduate, Youth Mobility and Visitor do not directly lead to ILR. However, time in many lawful categories may be usable under the 10‑year Long Residence rules if continuity and absence limits are met.

Student, Graduate, Youth Mobility, Visitor and Others

• Plan switches early: e.g., Student/Graduate to Skilled Worker, then continue to ILR.
• Youth Mobility can sometimes be a stepping stone to a sponsored role before moving to a settlement route.
• Keep meticulous evidence of lawful residence and absences in case you rely on long residence.

Core ILR Requirements Across Routes

Most settlement categories share four cross‑cutting themes: continuous residence, KoLL, suitability, and (where relevant) financial or salary checks.

Continuous Residence and Absence Limits

Quick rule of thumb: for many work routes, you must not spend more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12‑month period. Keep entry/exit evidence and ensure travel fits the rules of your specific category.

• Track absences monthly; keep payroll, boarding passes, and employer letters confirming business travel.
• For Innovator Founder and some others, the 180‑day rule applies per any 12 months — calculate on a rolling basis.

KoLL: English Language and Life in the UK Test

Applicants aged 18–64 usually must meet the Knowledge of Language and Life (KoLL) requirement: pass the Life in the UK Test and meet English at CEFR B1+ (or hold an approved English‑taught degree or be exempt). See our guide on choosing an approved exam: B1 English Test for ILR.

Criminality, Immigration Breaches and Good Character

Suitability refusals can arise from unspent convictions, deception, significant unpaid NHS debt, or serious immigration breaches. Disclose fully and explain any issues with evidence.

Financial, Salary and Sponsorship Checks

• Skilled Worker/Health & Care: meet current salary threshold and going rate, and be correctly sponsored.
• Partner route: meet the financial requirement and relationship/cohabitation evidence standards.
• Keep payslips, bank statements, sponsor letters and contracts aligned with the rules in force when you apply.

Pass KoLL First-Time: Life in the UK Test App

The Life in the UK Test can feel overwhelming: hundreds of facts, shifting dates, and jargon. The Life in the UK Test App turns it into a focused study plan so you pass first time and avoid re‑test stress.

Why Busy Applicants Prefer the App

• Full official content optimised for mobile — revise anywhere, anytime (even offline).
• Brit‑Bear learning assistant personalises practice to your weak areas.
• 650+ questions with clear explanations + realistic mocks, including Hard Mode.
• Readiness score shows when you’re test‑ready — no guesswork.

Real users report first‑time passes after 10–14 days of short daily sessions, saving time and re‑booking costs.

Download Links and How to Use It With Your Timeline

Download now, then follow the 2‑week plan below. App Store: iOS. Google Play: Android.

1. Days 1–3: Skim handbook topics; start easy quizzes; enable Brit‑Bear tips.
2. Days 4–7: Drill weak areas; take 2 mocks; review explanations.
3. Days 8–12: Alternate topic reviews with Hard Mode mocks; aim for 85%+.
4. Days 13–14: Sit two final mocks; book the test once your readiness score is green.

ILR Application Timing and Process

Apply at the right moment, avoid gaps, and prepare clean evidence for a smooth decision and eVisa activation.

When to Apply and Key Deadlines

1. Calculate your qualifying period for the route you’re on.
2. Apply no earlier than 28 days before you hit the time requirement.
3. Check passport and BRP expiry; set up your UKVI account for eVisa access.
4. Synchronise dependants so everyone remains lawfully present during processing.

Documents and Evidence Checklist

Use this framework and tailor to your route:

• Employment & earnings: payslips, bank statements, contracts, CoS/sponsor letter, PAYE records (Scale‑up).
• Business (Innovator Founder): endorsement letter, business plan, accounts, HMRC filings, client contracts, job creation proof.
• Relationship & accommodation: marriage/partner evidence, joint bills/tenancy, photos/travel, letters addressed to both.
• Residence & absences: travel history, employer letters confirming business trips, boarding passes.
• KoLL: B1 English certificate or degree verification + Life in the UK Test pass notification.

Fees, Priority Services and Biometrics

Expect a Home Office application fee per person; as a guide, the family ILR page lists a fee of £3,029 per applicant (fees change — always confirm your route’s current amount). Standard decisions can take months; paid priority options may be available. Biometrics are captured at a UKVCAS appointment before a digital eVisa decision is issued.

Dependants and Children

Partners and children can often settle with you if they meet time‑in‑category and suitability rules. Some children may instead be eligible to register as British after a parent obtains ILR. Plan routes and expiry dates so family members remain in sync.

Switching, Gaps and Reset Triggers

Avoid resets that derail your ILR clock. Map moves carefully and keep evidence to justify any exceptions.

Mixing Time Across Routes

• Some 5‑year clocks reset when you switch (e.g., Student to Skilled Worker starts the 5‑year work clock).
• For Long Residence, years across multiple lawful categories may count towards 10 years.
• Moving from PBS dependant to main applicant typically starts a new 5‑year clock in that main route.
• Combining Skilled Worker with Global Talent time is usually fine if you complete the qualifying years in one route or rely on Long Residence for 10 years.

Absence Exceptions and Proving Compelling Reasons

If you exceed absence limits, the Home Office may consider compelling reasons such as serious illness or bereavement. Evidence helps:

• Medical letters, hospital notes, or death certificates (as applicable).
• Employer letters confirming essential business travel and dates.
• Full travel records (tickets, boarding passes, stamps).

Common Refusal Reasons and How to Avoid Them

• Salary shortfall at ILR stage — build a buffer, time your pay rise, and confirm the correct SOC/going rate.
• Incorrect SOC code — align duties with the code and keep HR letters.
• Missing KoLL — take B1 and Life in the UK Test early to avoid last‑minute issues.
• Gaps or overstaying — apply within the 28‑day window and monitor visa expiry dates.

Plan Your Path: Route Selector Examples

Use these realistic scenarios to sense‑check your timeline and risk tolerance.

Example 1: Tech Researcher Choosing Global Talent vs Skilled Worker

If your Global Talent endorsement is strong, 3‑year ILR can beat a 5‑year Skilled Worker plan by two years. But if endorsement is uncertain, a quick Skilled Worker offer may be safer to lock in lawful residence while you build a stronger Global Talent case.

Example 2: Entrepreneur Opting for Innovator Founder

Map your business milestones to the Innovator Founder success criteria. If revenue, jobs, and traction are on track by month 24, plan the evidence pack early. As a contingency, be ready to extend or switch to a 5‑year work route if milestones slip.

Example 3: Family Route — Spouse 5-Year vs 10-Year

If you meet the financial requirement and suitability rules, the 5‑year partner route is faster. If you can’t meet it, the 10‑year family route may keep you lawful while you stabilise income — but doubles the time to ILR and evidence burden.

FAQs: ILR Routes and KoLL

• What is ILR? ILR (settlement) lets you live and work in the UK without time limits and later apply for citizenship.
• Can I apply 28 days early? Yes, typically up to 28 days before completing your qualifying period for that route.
• Do Student or Graduate visas count? They don’t lead directly to ILR, but may count towards 10‑year Long Residence if continuity is met.
• Can I reuse my Life in the UK Test for citizenship? Yes, a passed test is valid for future ILR/citizenship applications.
• How strict are absence limits? Many routes use a rolling 180‑days‑in‑12‑months rule; keep detailed travel evidence.
• Do dependants qualify with me? Often yes, if they meet time‑in‑route and suitability rules; check your category’s specifics.

Next Steps and Official Resources

1) Choose the most realistic route for your profile. 2) Book KoLL early to avoid last‑minute delays. 3) Build your evidence pack now. For a full breakdown of costs, read ILR Application Fee: Real Costs, and for post‑ILR options see Benefits of ILR: What to Do Next.

Pass KoLL with confidence: download the Life in the UK Test App on iOS or Android and follow the two‑week plan above.

Always check the latest Immigration Rules and official guidance before applying, especially given consultations on future settlement reforms.