You must have lived in the UK for 5 years before you can apply for indefinite leave to remain. There are rules for what counts towards the 5 years if you have: spent time outside the UK had more than one visa If you’ve spent time outside the UK You must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months. If you think you’re affected by this rule, the Home Office has guidance about how to calculate your time in the UK (‘continuous residence’). If you’ve had more than one visa In the 5 years you’ve lived in the UK, you can include time you’ve had on any combination of the following visas: any Tier 1 visa - except Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) Skilled Worker or Tier 2 (General) Scale-up Worker T2 Minister of Religion or Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) International Sportsperson, T2 Sportsperson or Tier 2 (Sportsperson) Innovator Founder Global Talent Representative of an Overseas Business

Financial requirements

You usually need to be paid at least a minimum salary if you hold a T2 or Skilled Worker visa. How much you must be paid depends on your visa. T2 or Skilled Worker visa You’ll usually need to be paid at least whichever is the highest out of the following: £25,600 per year £10.10 per hour the ‘going rate’ for the type of work you’ll be doing Example Your salary is £27,000 per year, but the annual going rate for the job you’ll be doing is £30,000. You do not meet the usual salary requirements for this visa. Each occupation code has its own annual going rate. Check the going rate for your job in the going rates table . If you work in healthcare or education There are different salary rules if you work in some healthcare or education jobs , where the going rate is based on national pay scales. When you can be paid less If you do not meet the usual salary requirements, and you do not work in healthcare or education, you might still be eligible if your annual salary will be at least £20,480. You must still be paid at least £10.10 per hour. You do not have to be paid £25,600 if the main job you’re sponsored for: is on the list of healthcare and education shortage occupations is on the list of all other shortage occupations was on one of these lists when you applied for your Skilled Worker or Tier 2 (General) visa You also do not have to be paid £25,600 if you were sponsored for a Tier 2 (General) visa in one of the following occupation codes: 2111 Chemical scientists 2112 Biological scientists and biochemists 2113 Physical scientists 2114 Social and humanities scientists 2119 Natural and social science professionals not elsewhere classified 2150 Research and development managers 2311 Higher education teaching professionals International Sportsperson, T2 Sportsperson or Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa You must be paid £35,800 or more a year. When working out your salary, you can only count earnings: from your main job that you’re sponsored for for up to 48 hours a week, if you’re paid hourly T2 Minister of Religion or Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) visa You must be paid at least the same as UK workers in the same role, and meet national minimum wage requirements.

You can include your partner and children on your application if they’re eligible. Your partner and children can apply separately at a later date , for example if they’re not eligible yet. They can continue to extend their visa as your Skilled Worker or T2 dependant, even after you get indefinite leave to remain. Eligibility for partners Your partner may qualify if all the following apply: they have permission to be in the UK as your partner (as a ‘dependant’ on your visa) they’ve lived in the UK with you as your dependant for at least 5 continuous years your relationship is genuine you intend to keep living together you have enough income to support yourselves and your dependants you’re not using public funds Your partner can include time they’ve spent as your dependant on another visa to count towards the continuous years they need to qualify. They cannot count any time spent on their own visa (not as your dependant). If your partner is 18 to 64, they must: book and pass the Life in the UK Test meet the English language requirements Eligibility for children You can include your child on your application if: they have permission to be in the UK as your child (as a ‘dependant’ on your visa) they are not married or in a civil partnership they will live with you and be supported by you without using public funds you and your child’s other parent are both currently applying to settle, or are already settled Your child can also apply to settle in one of the following situations: you’re the child’s sole surviving parent you have sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing there are serious or compelling family or other considerations, for example you (if you’re settled in the UK) or your child has a serious illness Extra documents for children over 16 You’ll need to prove: where they live - if they do not live with you, you’ll need to explain why any rent or upkeep they pay you each month that you support them financially if they do not live with you You’ll need to provide documents such as the ones on this list, to prove where they live: bank statement credit card bill driving licence NHS registration document a letter from their current school, college or university, on headed paper and issued by an authorised official of that organisation The documents you provide should not be more than a month old on the date you make your application. If your child lives away from home, you’ll need to provide evidence they are not living an independent live, for example: bank statements for you and your child covering the 3 months before the date you apply (to prove you’ve supported them) confirmation from their university or college on headed paper and issued by an authorised official (if they’re studying) Children 18 and over You can only include older children in your application if they both: were under 18 when they first got permission to be in the UK as your dependant still do not live an independent life - for example, they have not got married or had children They also need to: pass the Life in the UK Test meet the English language requirements If your child is over 18 by the time you apply and does not meet these requirements, they must apply separately .

You must apply online . Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later. You’ll be told which documents you need to provide when you apply. For example, to show that: you’ve passed the Life in the UK Test you meet the salary requirements you’re still needed for your job - your employer (sponsor) will need to provide a document confirming this You’ll need to pay the fee as part of your application. Get help to apply online You can get help with completing the online form if you: do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device do not have internet access You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK. You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

You’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo). You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents. You can: upload them into the online service have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment Any children aged 6 or over must provide biometric information if you’re applying for them on your form. You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do. Getting a decision You’ll usually get a decision within 6 months. If you paid to use the ‘super priority service’ you’ll get a decision within 2 working days, or within 5 working days if you paid to use the ‘priority service’. Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays. You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example: if your supporting documents need to be verified if you need to attend an interview because of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction If your application is approved You can do the following: work run a business study use public services, such as healthcare and schools apply for public funds (benefits) and pensions apply for British citizenship , usually after a minimum of 12 months If you stay outside of the UK for more than 2 years You can lose your indefinite leave to remain if you stay outside the UK for more than 2 years at a time. You may need to apply before you can return to the UK .

Indefinite leave to remain if you have a Skilled Worker, T2 or tier 2 visa

Overview

You may be able to settle permanently in the UK if you have one of the following visas:

Skilled Worker or Tier 2 (General)
T2 Minister of Religion or Tier 2 (Minister of Religion)
International Sportsperson, T2 Sportsperson or Tier 2 (Sportsperson)

Indefinite leave to remain is how you settle in the UK. It’s also called ‘settlement’. It gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible. You can use it to apply for British citizenship.

‘T2’ visas have replaced ‘Tier 2’ visas. If you have a Tier 2 visa, you can still apply for indefinite leave to remain if you meet the requirements.

Eligibility

You must:

have lived and worked in the UK for 5 years - there are rules for what counts towards your time in the UK
meet the salary requirements
continue to be needed for your job and meet the salary requirements after you get indefinite leave to remain - you’ll need a document from your employer (sponsor) to confirm this

If you’re not eligible using your T2 or Skilled worker visa, there are other ways to apply for indefinite leave to remain.

Knowledge of language and life in the UK

If you’re 18 to 64 you’ll need to book and pass the Life in the UK Test.

You do not need to prove you meet the English language requirements when you apply to settle using your Skilled Worker, T2 or Tier 2 visa. This is because you did this when you applied for your visa.

When to apply

The earliest you can apply is 28 days before you’ve been in the UK for 5 years on a qualifying visa. Check which visas count towards your time in the UK. Your application may be refused if you apply earlier.

Do not wait until your current visa expires. If your visa expires before you can apply for indefinite leave to remain, you’ll need to renew it first.

Fees and how long it takes

It costs £2,885 for each person applying. You can include your partner and children on the same application form, if they’re eligible.

You’ll each need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken - there’s no fee for this.

You’ll usually get a decision within 6 months if you apply using the standard service.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

Get a faster decision on your application

You can pay an extra £500 to use the priority service to get a decision within 5 working days.

You can pay an extra £1,000 to use the super priority service to get a decision:

by the end of the next working day after providing your fingerprints and photo (known as ‘biometric information’) if your appointment is on a weekday
2 working days after providing your biometric information if your appointment is at the weekend

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Indefinite leave to remain if you have a Skilled Worker, T2 or tier 2 visa

Overview

Eligibility

Knowledge of language and life in the UK

When to apply

Fees and how long it takes

Get a faster decision on your application

Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK

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Indefinite leave to remain if you have a Skilled Worker, T2 or tier 2 visa

Overview

Eligibility

Knowledge of language and life in the UK

When to apply

Fees and how long it takes

Get a faster decision on your application

Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK