Personal immigration

Turn years of residence
into a precise settlement plan.

Forward planning for indefinite leave to remain, with careful attention to residence, absences, continuity and timing.

SETTLEMENT AND ILR

Indefinite leave to remain is usually the result of careful planning rather than a single application. We audit your immigration history, identify the correct qualifying route and date, review absences and continuity, and test the route-specific requirements before the application is submitted.

Information reviewed4 September 2026

SETTLEMENT ROUTES

The qualifying route determines the clock and the evidence.

Different settlement routes count residence in different ways. We identify the route that applies to you and avoid assuming that every period of lawful residence can simply be combined.

Work-route settlement

For people progressing from a qualifying work or business route. We check continuous residence alongside the current employment, earnings, endorsement or business requirements that apply to the particular route.

Partner and family settlement

For people completing a family-route pathway. The relationship, immigration route and any continuing financial or accommodation requirements need to be evidenced at the settlement stage.

Long residence

For people relying on eligible lawful residence built across different permissions. Gaps, absences, historic status and the way each period is treated require a careful chronological review.

Other settlement routes

UK Ancestry, protection, Hong Kong BN(O), private life and other routes have their own eligibility frameworks. We assess the route-specific rules rather than applying a generic settlement checklist.

WHAT WE ASSESS

Six checks before the settlement application is timed.

The correct settlement route

We establish which route you are completing and whether any earlier permissions can contribute to the qualifying period.

The qualifying date

We calculate when the application can safely be made and check that your current permission remains valid through the planned process.

Continuous residence and absences

We reconstruct travel dates, consider how absences are counted and identify any period that may interrupt continuous residence.

Route-specific requirements

Employment, relationship, financial, endorsement or business criteria are tested against the particular settlement route.

English language and Life in the UK

We confirm which knowledge-of-language requirements apply and whether an exception or exemption is available.

Suitability and family timing

Immigration history, conduct and the position of any partner or children are reviewed before the family application plan is fixed.

EVIDENCE PLANNING

A reliable residence record is the foundation.

The evidence should tell one consistent story across your permissions, travel history and the requirements of your settlement route.

Identity and status history

Current and previous passports, immigration decisions, digital status records and evidence of each relevant grant of permission.

Residence timeline

A dated chronology supported by records that place you in the UK throughout the qualifying period.

Travel and absence record

A reconciled list of departures and returns, checked against passports, travel records and your own account.

Route-specific evidence

The employment, relationship, financial, endorsement, business or other documents required by the route relied upon.

English and Life in the UK

The relevant test evidence, qualification or material supporting an applicable exception or exemption.

Current family circumstances

Documents showing how a partner or children fit into the application plan and whether their eligibility dates differ.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Useful questions
before you begin.

What is indefinite leave to remain?

Indefinite leave to remain, often called ILR or settlement, means there is no time limit on your permission to stay in the UK. It is different from British citizenship, which requires a separate assessment and application.

When can I apply for settlement?

The earliest safe application date depends on your route and qualifying history. Applying too early can put the application at risk, so the date should be calculated from the applicable rules and your immigration record.

Do all of my previous visas count?

Not necessarily. Some settlement routes only count time spent in particular categories, while long residence may draw on a wider immigration history. The category, dates and continuity of every grant need to be checked.

Can absences from the UK affect settlement?

Yes. How absences are counted can depend on the route, the dates involved and the rules in force at the time. We recommend auditing the full travel history rather than relying only on passport stamps.

Will I need English language and Life in the UK tests?

Many settlement routes require evidence of English language ability and a Life in the UK pass, subject to the route and any available exception or exemption. We check the requirement before the application timetable is agreed.

Can my family apply at the same time?

Possibly, but each person has their own eligibility and qualifying history. A partner or child may be able to apply with you or may need to apply later, depending on their route and circumstances.

General guidance

This page provides general introductory information, not advice on an individual matter. Immigration requirements and Home Office practice can change. Please contact the team for advice on your circumstances.

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