Indefinite Leave to Remain From Ghana

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) status (also known as Permanent Residence status) is a settlement visa for overseas nationals that leads to British citizenship.

Under the current Immigration Rules, many Ghanaian citizens can qualify for ILR after five years of residence in the UK on an eligible visa. Some routes allow settlement after three years, while the long residence route requires ten years of qualifying lawful residence.

Once granted ILR, applicants can live, work and study in the UK without immigration time restrictions. They may also become eligible for British citizenship, often after holding ILR for at least 12 months, provided they meet the naturalisation requirements.

The government’s Earned Settlement framework will change the qualifying periods for many applicants when the new rules take effect.

Page Contents

• What is Indefinite Leave to Remain In The UK?
• How Will the New Earned Settlement Rules Affect ILR for Ghanaians?
• UK Indefinite Leave to Remain Requirements and Eligibility
• Application Fees
• The Different Routes to Indefinite Leave to Remain
• UK Indefinite Leave to Remain Application Process
• UK Indefinite Leave to Remain Application Processing Time
• Total Law Can Help You Obtain British Citizenship
• FAQS

The UK government confirmed its Earned Settlement framework on 2 November 2026, introducing significant changes to how migrants will qualify for indefinite leave to remain (ILR).

Under the framework, the standard qualifying period will increase from five to ten years for most eligible applicants. However, shorter routes will remain available for those who meet specific earnings, employment or contribution requirements.

The government intends to begin introducing the detailed Immigration Rules in December 2026, with implementation expected during 2027.

The new framework is not yet legally in effect. Ghanaian citizens must continue to meet the current ILR requirements until the relevant rules change.

If You Apply Before the New Rules Take Effect

Under the current Immigration Rules, Ghanaian citizens on eligible routes, including the Skilled Worker and qualifying spouse or partner visas, may apply for ILR after five years.

Some routes allow earlier settlement, while others require a longer period. Applicants must meet the relevant residence, suitability, English-language, Life in the UK and route-specific requirements.

If You Apply After the New Rules Take Effect

Under the Earned Settlement framework, the qualifying period will depend on an applicant’s circumstances and contribution to the UK.

The framework includes:

• Standard settlement route: Ten years for most eligible applicants
• Five-year fast-track route: Eligible applicants earning at least £50,271 annually, alongside qualifying healthcare and education workers
• Three-year fast-track route: Eligible applicants earning at least £125,141 annually and certain individuals on qualifying talent routes
• Eligible care workers: A five-year settlement route for qualifying workers who meet the relevant conditions, including earnings of at least £25,000 annually
• Family members of British citizens: Existing settlement pathways will be preserved, subject to the applicable requirements

For the standard ten-year route, the framework also includes a minimum annual earnings requirement of £12,571, with a combined income figure of £25,142 for couples where applicable.

Applicants will also need to meet requirements relating to criminal history, English-language ability, the Life in the UK Test, government debts and sustained National Insurance contributions, subject to applicable exemptions.

The detailed Immigration Rules will clarify how these conditions apply, including transitional arrangements for people already living in the UK.

Will Ghanaians Already Living in the UK Be Affected?

Ghanaian citizens already living in the UK who have not yet obtained ILR may be affected when the new rules take effect.

The government has confirmed targeted transitional protections for certain groups, including eligible care workers and some healthcare and education workers.

Those who already hold ILR will not lose their settled status because of the new framework.

The eligibility requirements for ILR depend on the immigration route under which a Ghanaian citizen applies.

Under the current Immigration Rules, applicants may need to:

• Complete the qualifying residence period for their immigration route
• Meet the applicable continuous residence requirements, including the limit of 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period where this rule applies
• Pass the Life in the UK Test, unless exempt
• Meet the applicable English-language requirements
• Satisfy the suitability requirements, including those relating to criminal convictions and immigration breaches
• Meet any additional employment, financial or relationship requirements for their route

Applicants should not assume that every immigration category has identical requirements.

For example, the continuous residence requirements for eligible work visa holders differ from those applying through certain family settlement routes.

Some individuals may qualify for British citizenship directly or through other immigration provisions, but this does not mean that all children or adult dependants of settled people automatically qualify for ILR.

The government’s Earned Settlement framework will introduce additional requirements when the relevant Immigration Rules take effect.

The application fee for ILR status set by the Home Office is £3,226 per person. You will not need to pay the additional Immigration Healthcare Surcharge for access to NHS services as you do with some UK visas, and you do not need to pay to have your biometric information (fingerprints, etc.) taken at a visa application centre.

In some cases, you can pay a ‘priority service’ charge to fast-track your ILR status application and get a decision made within approximately five working days. The charge for the priority service is £500, in addition to the standard application fee.

Ghanaian citizens applying for ILR must normally be in the UK and submit their application online through the appropriate GOV.UK service.

The application process involves:

1. Checking eligibility: Confirm the relevant qualifying period and other requirements for the immigration route
2. Completing the application: Use the correct online form, such as SET(O) for eligible work routes or SET(M) for qualifying family settlement applications
3. Paying the application fee: Pay the applicable Home Office fee and any optional priority processing charges
4. Providing supporting documents: Submit a valid passport or other accepted identity document, together with the evidence required for the route
5. Verifying identity: Follow the instructions to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app or attend a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services appointment to provide biometric information
6. Awaiting a decision: Remain within the permitted travel area while the application is pending

Applicants should not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man before receiving a decision, as doing so can result in the application being treated as withdrawn.

Successful applicants receive an eVisa, which provides digital evidence of their immigration status.

Most applicants using the standard ILR application service can expect a decision within six months of providing their biometric information or completing the applicable identity verification process.

Processing may take longer if the Home Office needs to verify supporting documents, request additional information or conduct further checks.

Applicants may be eligible for a faster processing service, depending on their immigration route and availability.

The priority service costs an additional £500 and aims to provide a decision within five working days. The super priority service costs an additional £1000 and aims to provide a decision by the end of the next working day, subject to the applicable service conditions.

Not all ILR routes offer both services. Applicants should check availability when submitting their application.