UK Settlement & Permanent Residence
Everything you need to know about making your life in the UK permanent — from the first five years on a work or family visa, through to Indefinite Leave to Remain, EU Settled Status, and British citizenship.
Still planning your visa? Settlement comes after you have lived in the UK on a qualifying visa. Read the Visas & Immigration hub first — it covers every route from the Skilled Worker visa to family visas and the ETA.
Settlement is the point at which life in the UK stops being conditional on a visa. For most migrants arriving on work or family visas, it means five years of continuous, lawful residence before an application can be made. For EU, EEA and Swiss nationals who were resident before 31 December 2020, a separate route exists through the EU Settlement Scheme. And for those who have already secured permanent status, British citizenship offers the final, irrevocable step — a passport that never lapses, regardless of how long you spend abroad.
Choose your route to permanent residence
The right route depends on your visa status and how long you have been in the UK. Each guide covers eligibility, qualifying periods, fees, and the application process in full.
The standard settlement route for people on work and family visas. Covers the 5-year qualifying period, the April 2026 fee change, absence rules, and the proposed earned settlement reform.
Read guide →
For EU, EEA and Swiss citizens resident in the UK by 31 December 2020. Covers settled and pre-settled status, the July 2025 rule change, and protection under the Withdrawal Agreement.
Read guide →
The final step after ILR or EU Settled Status. Covers eligibility, the 12-month wait, the 90-day absence limit, the Life in the UK test, and the £1,709 fee from 8 April 2026.
Read guide →From first visa to British passport — the typical pathway
Most people arriving in the UK on a work or family visa follow a broadly similar journey to permanent residence. The exact timeline depends on your visa route, your continuous residence record, and how carefully you have managed absences along the way — but the overall arc is the same for the vast majority of economic and family migrants.
The standard route involves five years on a qualifying visa, followed by an ILR application, and then a further 12 months before British citizenship becomes available. That means a minimum of six years from first arrival to a British passport — assuming no gaps in lawful residence and no significant absences.
The government's proposed earned settlement reforms, outlined in the Immigration White Paper and endorsed by the Home Affairs Committee in March 2026, would extend the ILR qualifying period from 5 to 10 years for most routes. The change has not yet been enacted in the Immigration Rules. But anyone currently mid-way through the 5-year route should apply as soon as they qualify — not wait — to avoid being caught by any transitional provisions.
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals follow a separate path through the EU Settlement Scheme. If you arrived and were resident by 31 December 2020, your route runs through settled status, not ILR. See the EU Settled Status guide for the full picture.
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1
Arrive on a qualifying visa
Skilled Worker, Health & Care, family, Global Talent, or another ILR-eligible route. Your qualifying clock starts from the date your visa was granted.
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2
Build 5 years of continuous residence
Stay within the 180-day absence limit in any rolling 12-month period. Keep records of every departure and return. Change employer if needed — but ensure each change is properly sponsored and registered with the Home Office.
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3
Pass the Life in the UK test & English language requirement
Book the Life in the UK test (£50 per sitting) and ensure your English is evidenced at B1 CEFR or above. From March 2027 the requirement rises to B2. See the ILR guide for exempt categories.
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4
Apply for ILR (or confirm Settled Status)
Apply online via UKVI as soon as you are eligible. Fee: £3,226 per person from 8 April 2026. EU/EEA/Swiss nationals with Settled Status do not need a separate ILR application.
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5
Wait 12 months, then apply for British citizenship
After 12 months holding ILR or Settled Status, apply for naturalisation — provided you have spent no more than 90 days outside the UK in the preceding 12 months. Fee: £1,709 + £130 ceremony. See the citizenship guide.
The journey from visa holder to permanent resident
Understanding the difference between each status — and the practical implications of each — helps you plan your timeline, manage absences, and avoid common mistakes that delay or prevent applications.
More than 3.7 million EUSS grants
The EU Settlement Scheme has granted status to over 3.7 million EU, EEA and Swiss nationals — making it the largest settlement programme in UK immigration history. Hundreds of thousands more hold ILR granted through work and family routes. The transition from a time-limited visa to permanent status is one of the most consequential decisions any migrant makes in the UK.
ILR is not the same as citizenship
ILR and EU Settled Status give you the right to live and work in the UK indefinitely, but they can lapse — ILR after two consecutive years abroad, Settled Status after five. British citizenship, by contrast, is permanent regardless of absences. Understanding this distinction is critical for anyone planning to spend extended periods outside the UK after settling.
Rules are changing in 2026 and 2027
The government has proposed extending the standard ILR qualifying period from 5 to 10 years under the earned settlement framework, targeted for Autumn 2026. English language requirements rise to B2 from 26 March 2027. Neither change has yet been made to the Immigration Rules — but anyone on the current 5-year route is strongly advised to apply as soon as they qualify rather than wait.
ILR vs EU Settled Status vs British citizenship
How the three main permanent statuses compare across the factors that matter most to people relocating to the UK.
| Factor | Indefinite Leave to Remain | EU Settled Status | British Citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it applies to | Non-EU nationals on work, family, or long residence routes | EU/EEA/Swiss citizens resident in UK by 31 Dec 2020 | Anyone holding ILR or Settled Status for 12+ months |
| Standard qualifying period | 5 years (current; proposed 10 years from Autumn 2026) | 5 years of UK residence | 12 months after ILR/Settled Status |
| Application fee | £3,226 per person (from 8 Apr 2026) | Free | £1,709 + £130 ceremony (from 8 Apr 2026) |
| Life in the UK test | Required | Not required | Required |
| English language test | Required (B1; B2 from Mar 2027) | Not required | Required (B1 or above) |
| British passport | No | No | Yes |
| Lapses after long absence | Yes — after 2 consecutive years abroad | Yes — after 5 consecutive years abroad | Never lapses |
| Right to vote in all elections | No (local only for some) | No (local only) | Yes — all elections |
| Protected from 10-year rule | No (proposed change applies) | Yes — Withdrawal Agreement | Indirectly (depends on ILR timing) |
Get UK immigration news as it happens
Fee changes, rule updates, and earned settlement developments — all in one place.
Frequently asked questions about UK settlement
The most common questions about permanent residence in the UK — covering ILR, EU Settled Status, British citizenship, fees, qualifying periods, and the proposed 2026 rule changes.
Related visa and immigration guides
This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration rules change regularly. Always verify current requirements on gov.uk before making any application decisions. If your circumstances are complex, consult an OISC-regulated immigration adviser.