UK Settlement & Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
Settlement, also called indefinite leave to remain (ILR), means permission to stay in the UK without a time limit. There are different settlement routes, and the requirements depend on your current or previous immigration permission, residence history and circumstances.
On this page
In brief
- Settlement (ILR) means permission to stay in the UK without a time limit.
- There are different settlement routes; the right one depends on your current or previous permission and residence history.
- Family settlement routes are not all the same; Private Life and other established routes also exist.
- This hub helps you find the settlement framework to review — it does not decide eligibility.
What is settlement?
Settlement is immigration permission to remain in the UK without a time limit. It is commonly called indefinite leave to remain (ILR).
There is no single settlement test for everyone. The route you need to review depends on the immigration framework under which you are applying.
Start with your immigration route. Qualifying periods, residence requirements, relationship requirements and other settlement conditions differ between routes.
Not sure which settlement framework to review? Use the Visa Route Finder to identify the settlement page connected to your immigration history — a guide only, with no eligibility decision.
Find your settlement route
Choose the framework that matches your immigration history. Each card links to the dedicated ENS guide, which owns the detailed requirements.
Partner Visa Settlement
Approaching settlement after permission as a partner? Read the dedicated partner ILR guide.
Partner Settlement (ILR) →Parent Visa Settlement
For settlement at the relevant stage of the Appendix FM Parent route.
Parent Visa Settlement →Family Life 10-Year Settlement
For relevant partners and parents whose settlement framework falls under Appendix Settlement Family Life.
Family Life 10-Year Route →Private Life Settlement
For settlement based on the relevant Appendix Private Life framework and qualifying immigration history.
Private Life Settlement →Settlement for Children
Part 8 settlement (paragraphs 297–300) for a child joining settled parent(s) or a qualifying close relative.
Settlement for Children →Long Residence Settlement
For settlement under Appendix Long Residence based on 10 years' qualifying lawful and continuous residence in the UK.
Long Residence →Returning Resident
For a return to the UK where previous settlement has lapsed through absence, under Appendix Returning Resident.
Returning Resident →Child Born in the UK
For the distinct Private Life settlement framework that can apply to some children born in the UK.
Child born in the UK →Bereaved Partner Settlement
For qualifying applicants whose relevant British or settled partner has died.
Bereaved Partner Settlement →Family settlement routes are not all the same
Family-based settlement can arise under different Immigration Rules. The correct page depends on the route and qualifying history you are relying on.
Partner route
If your settlement application follows the ordinary partner route.
Partner Settlement (ILR) →Parent route
If your settlement application follows the Appendix FM Parent route.
Parent Visa Settlement →10-year Family Life route
If your settlement history falls under Appendix Settlement Family Life.
Family Life 10-Year Route →Do not calculate one family settlement route using the qualifying-period or financial rules from another. For general child-route information, see the Child Visa page.
Private Life settlement
Private Life Settlement
Appendix Private Life has its own settlement framework, including route-specific qualifying-period and continuous-residence issues.
Private Life Settlement →UK-born child settlement
A distinct Private Life framework can apply to some children born in the UK.
Child born in the UK →Being born in the UK or completing seven years’ residence does not, by itself, establish entitlement to ILR. A separate reasonableness requirement and other applicable requirements also apply.
Other established settlement routes
These routes have their own dedicated ENS guides. This hub links to them for navigation only — it does not set out their substantive requirements.
Skilled Worker Settlement
Read the dedicated guide for settlement from the Skilled Worker route.
Skilled Worker Settlement →Global Talent Settlement
The 3-year or 5-year ILR framework for the Global Talent route.
Global Talent Settlement →Innovator Founder Settlement
The 3-year ILR framework and settlement endorsement for the Innovator Founder route.
Innovator Founder Settlement →Scale-up Worker Settlement
The five-year ILR framework and route-specific UK PAYE earnings test for the Scale-up route.
Scale-up Worker Settlement →International Sportsperson Settlement
The five-year ILR framework, continuing sponsor/employment and settlement salary for the International Sportsperson route.
International Sportsperson Settlement →ECAA Settlement (ILR)
Read the dedicated guide for settlement under the ECAA framework.
ECAA Settlement (ILR) →Requirements that can differ by route
These are categories of issues, not the substantive tests. Each links back to your route page, which owns the detail.
How long must count
Different settlement routes use different qualifying-period rules.
Which permission can count
Some routes permit particular combinations of immigration permission; others have more specific route-history requirements.
Residence and absences
The applicable continuous-residence framework depends on the settlement route.
Family requirements
Partner, parent, child and bereavement routes have different relationship requirements.
Language and Life in the UK
English-language and Knowledge of Life requirements can apply, subject to the relevant route and exemptions. See KoLL →
Immigration and conduct issues
Settlement applications can be subject to suitability requirements.
Bereavement and changed circumstances
Your partner has died
Bereaved Partner settlement has its own legal framework and should not be treated as an ordinary partner ILR application.
Bereaved Partner Settlement →Your relationship ended because of domestic abuse
Use the dedicated Domestic Abuse settlement page.
Domestic Abuse Settlement →Your immigration history has changed
If you have switched routes or cannot identify which settlement framework applies, start with the route navigator above or book an initial assessment.
Use the navigator →You have a refusal or complex issue
Refusals, appeals, reviews and other contentious matters.
Immigration help →Before you apply
Once you have identified the relevant settlement route, review the route-specific requirements before preparing the application.
- confirm which settlement framework applies;
- review your immigration-permission history;
- identify the qualifying period that applies to that route;
- review any applicable continuous-residence requirements;
- identify route-specific relationship or status requirements;
- check whether English and Knowledge of Life requirements apply;
- review suitability issues;
- organise the evidence relevant to that route;
- confirm current GOV.UK application procedures and live charges.
Do not rely on another settlement route’s checklist. A requirement applying to one ILR route does not automatically apply to another.
Application charges, service options and processing information can change. Confirm the current position on GOV.UK before applying.
Approaching settlement (ILR)? Get a fixed-fee check of whether you qualify and which route fits.
Get a fixed-fee quoteOur regulatory scope. ENS provides immigration advice and assistance on straightforward matters within our IAA Level 1 authorisation. If your circumstances involve complexities outside our authorised level, we will identify this and, where needed, help you find an appropriately authorised adviser. How our IAA Level 1 scope works · Refusal or complex issue → specialist referral.
How ENS can help
Identify the settlement framework
We can review a straightforward immigration history to identify the settlement route and requirements that need to be considered.
Review the evidence areas
We can help identify and organise the documents relevant to a straightforward settlement application.
Prepare a straightforward application
Where your circumstances fall within our IAA Level 1 authorisation, we can assist with preparing the application and supporting evidence.
Frequently asked questions
What is settlement in the UK?
Settlement, commonly called indefinite leave to remain (ILR), is immigration permission to remain in the UK without a time limit.
Is there one set of requirements for ILR?
No. Different settlement routes have different qualifying periods, residence requirements and other conditions. The correct framework depends on your immigration route and history.
Is all settlement based on five years in the UK?
No. Different settlement frameworks include five-year family provisions, a 10-year Family Life framework, Private Life provisions and Bereaved Partner settlement.
Is the 10-year Family Life route the same as the five-year partner or parent route?
No. Appendix Settlement Family Life is a distinct settlement framework from the five-year family settlement provisions.
Is there a separate Parent Visa settlement route?
Yes. The guidance contains a parent settlement framework based on the relevant continuous 60-month period in the UK as a parent.
Can someone settle through the Private Life route?
Appendix Private Life contains its own settlement framework. The requirements depend on the applicant’s Private Life permission and immigration history.
Does a child born in the UK automatically get ILR after seven years?
No. The relevant Private Life framework contains additional requirements, including whether it would be reasonable to expect the child to leave the UK.
Is there a settlement route if my partner has died?
Appendix Bereaved Partner contains a separate settlement framework for qualifying applicants whose relevant British or settled partner has died.
Do the same absence rules apply to every settlement route?
No. Residence and qualifying-period requirements depend on the relevant settlement route.
What if I do not know which settlement route applies?
Start with your current and previous immigration permission and the basis on which you have been living in the UK. The ENS settlement navigator can direct you to the relevant framework without making an eligibility decision.
Source basis: Home Office, Settlement: family and private life, version 4.0, published for Home Office staff on 29 July 2025. This hub uses that guidance only for the family, Private Life and Bereaved Partner frameworks it covers; other settlement routes link to their dedicated ENS pages and are not substantively derived from this document. Immigration Rules and guidance can change; confirm the current position on GOV.UK before applying.
Not sure which settlement route applies?
Your current permission and immigration history determine which settlement framework needs to be reviewed. An initial assessment can help identify the relevant route before you prepare an application.