Expert help with Indefinite Leave to Remain and settlement applications. We make sure your continuous residence, absences and Life in the UK requirement all hold up, so your route to permanent status is not derailed at the final stage.
Indefinite Leave to Remain, also called settlement, is for people who have lived in the UK lawfully for a qualifying period and want to stay permanently without any time limit on their stay. It is the usual step before applying for British citizenship.
With ILR you can live, work and study in the UK without restriction and without needing to renew a visa. You can access public funds and, after a further period, apply to become a British citizen.
ILR does not expire while you remain in the UK, but it can lapse if you spend more than two continuous years outside the UK. We advise you on protecting your status once it is granted.
Typically a qualifying period of continuous lawful residence (often five years), time within the permitted absence limits, passing the Life in the UK Test, and meeting the English language requirement.
Most people settle after five years on a work, family or partner route, provided they have kept within the residence and absence rules for that category.
People who have lived in the UK lawfully for ten continuous years may qualify for settlement on the basis of long residence, subject to the absence limits.
Partners and children can often settle at the same time as the main applicant, or follow later, depending on the route and how long they have held their status.
We confirm exactly which settlement route fits your immigration history before you apply, so you use the strongest and fastest option available.
Tick what's true for you today. These mirror the first five checks our advisers run on every settlement case.
Tick the statements above to see how your case is shaping up.
A senior adviser reviews your immigration history, your absences and your test results, then tells you honestly whether you qualify before you spend anything. We confirm the correct settlement route for you.
We prepare your residence, absence, English and Life in the UK evidence together, closing the common gaps that lead to refusals. Everything is checked against the current settlement rules.
We complete and submit the online application for you. You pay the settlement fee at this stage, then attend a short biometric appointment at a service point.
The Home Office makes its decision, usually within around six months on the standard service. We advise you on protecting your ILR and, when ready, moving on to British citizenship.
Spending too long outside the UK is the single biggest reason settlement applications are refused. We map every absence across your qualifying period and advise on whether you meet the limits or should wait.
A gap between visas, a short period of overstaying or an application made late can break continuous residence. We check your timeline carefully and address any gaps before you apply.
A forgotten Life in the UK Test, an expired English test or incomplete residence evidence causes avoidable delays and refusals. We work from a checklist tailored to your case so nothing is left out.
Those are the cases we are best at. Bring your travel history and your visa dates and we will tell you honestly where you stand.
Most people can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after five years of continuous lawful residence on an eligible route. Some qualify after ten years under the long residence rules. The exact period depends on your visa category.
For most routes you should not spend more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period during the qualifying years. Excess absences are a common reason for refusal, so it is worth checking your travel history early.
Indefinite Leave to Remain does not expire while you live in the UK, but it can lapse if you are outside the UK for more than two continuous years. We advise you on how to protect your settled status.
If your ILR application is refused, the Home Office will set out its reasons. Depending on the ground of refusal you may be able to request an administrative review or submit a fresh application. We review the decision with you and advise on the strongest next step.
Yes. Most people can apply for British citizenship 12 months after being granted Indefinite Leave to Remain, provided they meet the residence, good character and other requirements. We can handle both applications for you.
