Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) 2025 – How to Settle in the UK

Make the UK your permanent home

You’ve built a career, settled into life, and now the UK feels like home. After five continuous years on a Skilled Worker Visa, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), the final step toward full stability and freedom in the UK.

This guide explains how ILR works in 2025, the requirements you must meet, and how to avoid mistakes that could delay your application.

Who this guide is for

This guide is for:

• Skilled Worker Visa holders approaching their five-year mark
• Employers supporting long-term sponsored employees
• Graduates who switched from Student or Graduate Visas to Skilled Worker Visas

If your goal is to stay in the UK permanently, ILR is the gateway to that future.

What is Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?

Indefinite Leave to Remain gives you the right to live and work in the UK without time limits or visa restrictions. It’s often called permanent residence.

With ILR, you can:

• Work or study without sponsorship
• Access most benefits (subject to eligibility)
• Travel in and out of the UK freely
• Later apply for British citizenship after 12 months

Key ILR requirements in 2025

Residency period

You must have spent five continuous years in the UK on a Skilled Worker Visa (or eligible work route).

You should not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period during those five years.

Employment requirement

You must:

• Still be employed by your sponsoring employer
• Continue working in the same occupation code
• Receive a salary that meets the minimum threshold (currently £38,700 or the going rate for your job, whichever is higher)

Knowledge of Life and Language in the UK

You’ll need to show:

• English language ability (B1 level or higher, unless exempt)
• A pass certificate from the Life in the UK Test

Good character and immigration history

You must have a clean immigration record and no unspent criminal convictions.

Step-by-step process to apply for ILR

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Confirm you’ve met the 5-year residency requirement and have not exceeded the 180-day absence rule.

Step 2: Gather your documents

You’ll need:

• Passport and BRP
• Employment confirmation letter
• Payslips and bank statements
• Certificate of Sponsorship reference
• Life in the UK Test pass certificate
• English language certificate (if required)

Step 3: Complete your application

Apply online for Indefinite Leave to Remain under the Skilled Worker category.

Step 4: Pay the fees

• Application fee: £2,885 per person (as of 2025)
• Biometric enrolment fee (if applicable): £19.20

Step 5: Attend your appointment

You may be asked to provide fingerprints, photos, or supporting documents at a UKVCAS centre.

Step 6: Wait for a decision

Most ILR applications are decided within 8 weeks, though faster priority options are available.

Timeline summary

Common mistakes to avoid

Missing the continuous residence rule

Exceeding 180 days outside the UK in any year breaks your ILR eligibility.

Applying too early

Applications made even one day before completing five full years will be refused.

Incorrect salary

You must earn at least the current minimum salary or your occupation’s going rate.

Missing test certificates

Include your Life in the UK and English certificates to avoid processing delays.

After ILR – Next steps

Once you have ILR, you can:

• Stay in the UK indefinitely
• Change jobs freely
• Apply for British citizenship after 12 months
• Sponsor eligible family members to join you

However, if you spend more than two consecutive years outside the UK, you may lose ILR status, so maintain regular residence.

How AHJ Immigration helps you secure ILR

At AHJ Immigration, we help you prepare a complete and compliant ILR application that meets every Home Office requirement.

We guide you through:

• Eligibility and residence checks
• Reviewing salary and employment documents
• Preparing Life in the UK and English test evidence
• Submitting a precise, error-free application

📞 Call 0121 828 2224 to discuss your ILR plans today.

Book your consultation

Free 30-minute consultation

Your free consultation gives you an overview of ILR eligibility, residency rules, and timelines.

Or call 0121 828 2224 to book by phone.

Paid 1-hour consultation (£120)

After your free session, you can book a 1-hour consultation where we:

• Review your documents and 5-year residence history
• Check your eligibility and absence record
• Provide detailed written advice for your ILR application

The £120 fee is deducted from your final application cost if you continue with us.

FAQs

1. When can I apply for ILR?
You can apply up to 28 days before completing five continuous years on your Skilled Worker Visa.

2. Does time on a Graduate Visa count towards ILR?
No. Only time spent on a Skilled Worker Visa or eligible work route counts.

3. Can I include my dependants in the same ILR application?
Yes. Your partner and children can apply if they’ve lived in the UK with you for five years.

4. What if I changed employers during my visa period?
That’s fine, as long as you stayed under Skilled Worker status without gaps and met salary rules.

5. Do I need to renew ILR?
No. ILR is permanent, but you can lose it if you spend over two years outside the UK.

Our process

1. Free Consultation – Overview of your situation and ILR eligibility.
2. Paid Consultation – Detailed analysis of your documents and written advice.
3. Gathering Documents – Templates, checklists, and consultant support.
4. Application Stage – Review and submission of your ILR application.
5. Waiting Phase – Monitoring your case and providing updates.
6. Decision Phase – Guidance on your result, next steps, and future compliance.

Disclaimer

Fees and requirements are always subject to change as UK immigration is ever-evolving. The information provided is correct at the time of publishing. We regularly update our guides to reflect the latest Home Office guidance.

Settle confidently and make the UK your home

Reaching ILR is one of the biggest milestones in your UK journey. With the right preparation and expert support, you can secure your permanent status and take the next step toward British citizenship.

📞 Call 0121 828 2224 or book your free consultation today.

After your free session, book a paid 1-hour consultation (£120) for detailed, written advice — and we’ll deduct the fee from your final application cost if you proceed with us.

Let’s help you turn your UK experience into a permanent future.