ILR 5 Year Route

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) does not automatically issue you an indefinite leave to remain simply because you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years.

You must meet specific eligibility requirements and submit an ILR application and relevant documents proving your eligibility.

You must meet the following requirements to qualify for an ILR 5-year route. You must:

• Have lawfully resided in the UK with a qualifying visa for at least 5 years
• Have spent less than 180 days outside the UK during each year of the qualifying residency period
• Have not violated any UK immigration rules and the terms of your stay throughout the residency period
• Have a minimum of B1 proficiency in English as set by the Common European Framework of Languages

• Pass the Life in the UK test, proving your knowledge of British history, culture, and traditions
• Skilled Worker Visa holders must continue to meet the minimum salary requirement as they did when they first got their visas

Overview

To qualify for a 5-year ILR, you must have spent five years of unbroken continuous residence in the UK.

This means your UK stay must have been within the immigration rules. You must not have overstayed your visa validity at any time or exceeded the maximum allowed period of absence.

The maximum allowed absence from the UK for prospective ILR applicants is 180 days every 12 months. Staying outside the UK for more than 180 days in any year leading up to your indefinite leave to remain application disqualifies you for an ILR.

Only whole days away from the UK count towards this absence limit. Your period of qualifying residence will also be considered broken if:

• You’ve been convicted of a crime and sentenced to imprisonment
• You’ve been subject to a deportation order, an exclusion order, or an exclusion redirection
• You’ve lost your legal resident status

You can include the period between when you were issued an entry permit and when you entered the UK in your qualifying residence. However, this period must not exceed 90 days.

Exceptions to the Continuous Residence Rule

Exceptions can be made for absences exceeding 180 days in certain situations. These are exceptional circumstances where compelling circumstances necessitated the absences. Some of these exceptional circumstances include:

• Time spent abroad assisting with a humanitarian or environmental crisis. If you’re on a sponsored visa route, this time must have been agreed on beforehand
• Compelling, compassionate personal circumstances such as a life-threatening illness or the death of a close family member
• A conflict, pandemic, or natural disaster disrupted your travel plans
• Certain overseas research activities carried out by Global Talent Visa holders
• Overseas research activity carried out by a skilled worker sponsored for a job in an eligible occupation code with their sponsoring employer’s permission

In any of these cases, you must file a request to exempt your absence from the 180-day rule. You must include proof of unavoidable absence showing compelling reasons for your absence.

If you’re on an employer-sponsored visa, you must obtain an approval letter from your employer stating the reason for your absence and that they approved it.

If your absence was due to compelling compassionate reasons, you must also provide documented evidence such as medical reports, death certificates, or proof of travel disruption.

The first step in the ILR application process is to check and ensure your visa category qualifies you for the 5-year ILR route. Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, you must make the ILR application online via the gov.uk website.

You must apply for an ILR before your current visa expires. You can submit your ILR application up to 28 days before you meet the five-year residence mark.

ILR applications are made by completing the online application form and uploading the required documents. There are two types of ILR application forms:

• Form Set (M) for partners, children, or parents of settled UK residents or British citizens
• Form Set (O) for all other applicants

You’ll be required to provide your personal and immigration information on the ILR application form. However, the specific information you must provide varies depending on your visa route to indefinite leave to remain.

All ILR applicants also have to provide the supporting documents when applying for ILR after 5 years.

After submitting the application form and supporting evidence, you may be required to schedule a biometric appointment at a UK Visas and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre. You’ll submit your signature, photos, and fingerprints during this appointment.

Documents Required for ILR 5 Year Route

You need to provide the following supporting documents for ILR 5 year route application.

• Current valid passport or travel documents, along with all previous passports
• Travel documentation detailing all time spent abroad during the years of qualifying residence
• Birth or adoption certificate
• Current Biometric Residence Permit, if you have one
• Your immigration history documentation
• Bank statements, pay slips, or other financial documents proving sufficient means
• Criminal background check record or police clearance certificate
• Proof of proficiency in English
• Certificate of successful completion of the Life in the UK Test