Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Solicitors
ILR ends your dependence on visa renewals. Getting the application wrong means starting the clock again.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) — or settlement — is the most significant immigration milestone for people building their lives in the UK. Absences from the UK, breaks in continuous residence, knowledge of life and English language requirements, and good character concerns all need to be carefully assessed before you apply. A specialist solicitor confirms your eligibility and builds the strongest possible application.
ILR Requirements
What you need to meet — and what can disqualify you.
ILR requirements vary by the route you are on, but the core tests — continuous residence, absences, life in the UK, English language, and good character — apply across most routes. Each has its own traps.
Continuous residence requirement
Most ILR routes require 5 years of continuous lawful residence in the UK (3 years for spouses of British citizens on the family route). Continuous residence is broken by any period of unlawful stay — including overstays before or during the qualifying period — or by absence of more than 2 years at a time. A solicitor will review your entire immigration history to confirm that the continuous residence test is met before you apply.
Absence limits
You must not have been absent from the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period during the qualifying period — on most routes. Each absence is counted individually and the rule applies to every year of the qualifying period, not just the most recent. Extended absences — for work, family illness, or other reasons — can break the qualifying period even where they were unavoidable. A solicitor will calculate your absences and advise on whether they are within the permitted limits.
Life in the UK test
You must pass the Life in the UK test — 24 questions, 75% pass mark, based on the official handbook. The test must be passed before submitting the ILR application. It is valid indefinitely once passed. Exemptions apply for applicants aged 65 or over and for those with long-term physical or mental conditions who cannot reasonably be expected to prepare for the test. A solicitor will confirm whether you need to take the test or qualify for an exemption.
English language requirement
You must demonstrate English at B1 level or above — through a UKVI-approved English language test, a degree taught in English, or nationality from a majority-English-speaking country. The English language requirement must have been met at the point of the last visa grant. A solicitor will confirm how you can meet this requirement and whether any exemption applies to your circumstances.
Good character
ILR applicants must satisfy the good character requirement. Criminal convictions, civil penalties for immigration violations, HMRC penalties, NHS debts, and previous periods of unlawful residence are all assessed. The good character guidance gives caseworkers significant discretion. A solicitor will review your background against the published guidance and advise on any disclosures required — and on whether any issues make refusal likely.
ILR lapsing and re-entry
ILR lapses if you remain outside the UK for more than 2 years without returning. If your ILR has lapsed, you will need to apply for a Returning Resident visa and demonstrate strong ties to the UK that justify re-admission. The threshold is high and refusals are common. A solicitor will assess the strength of a Returning Resident application and advise on the evidence needed to present the strongest case.