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You may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain if you’ve been in the UK legally for 10 continuous years (known as ‘long residence’).

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.

You must meet all the eligibility requirements.

Other ways you can stay

There is a different way to apply for indefinite leave to remain if you have a visa that’s on the basis of your private life (because of the time you’ve spent in the UK).Ìý

If you’re not eligible because of the time you’ve spent in the UK, there are other ways to apply for indefinite leave to remain.

If you’re not eligible for indefinite leave to remain, you may be able to extend your stay for another 2 years (known as ‘leave to remain’). You need to have already been in the UK legally for 10 years without gaps (known as your ‘continuous residence’).

If you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

If you or your family member started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you may still be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme. Check if you can still apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Fees and how long it takes

The fee depends on what you’re applying for.

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

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

Get a faster decision on your application

If you’re applying to settle you can pay an extra £1,000 for the super priority service. You’ll get a decision:

• by the end of the next working day after providing your biometric information if your appointment is on a weekday
• 2 working days after providing your biometric information if your appointment is at the weekendÌý

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

If your application is successful

You’ll get an eVisa (an online record of your immigration status).

Your decision email or letter will tell you how to get access to your eVisa. You’ll need to create a UKVI account.

You must have permission to stay (‘leave to remain’).

You must also have been in the UK legally for 10 years without gaps (known as your ‘continuous residence’). This can include time on most immigration categories, or a combination of different immigration categories.

You’ll usually need to have held your current permission for one year.

Knowledge of language and life

If you’re aged 18 to 65 years old, you must:

• pass the Life in the UK Test
• prove you have sufficient English language skills

If you do not meet these 2 requirements you can apply to extend.

Continuous residence

Continuous residence is time you’ve spent in the UK without gaps.

You can leave the UK during the continuous residence for up to 180 days in any 12 month period.

You cannot count time spent in the UK:

• on a Standard Visitor visa or as a visitor without a visa
• on a Short-term study visa
• on a Seasonal Worker visa
• on any of the Ukraine schemes
• on immigration bail, temporary admission or temporary release
• in a prison, young offender institution or secure hospital
• after your permission ran out (‘overstaying’) - this includes if you were given a grant of ‘exceptional assurance’ to stay in the UK because of COVID-19

You also cannot count time spent in Ireland, the Isle of Man or Channel Islands.

If you spent time abroad before 11 April 2024

There are different rules for periods of time abroad that started before 11 April 2024.

You will not have continuous residence if you were abroad for more than:

• 184 days in a row
• 548 daysÌýin total

Only periods of time abroad that started before 11 April 2024 count towards the 548 days.

You’ll need to provide:

• a current passport or other valid travel ID
• all the passports you’ve held during your time in the UK

You’ll also need to provide either:

• your biometric residence permit (BRP) if you have one - this can be expired
• online proof of your immigration status if you have an eVisa - you’ll need to get a share code

You’ll need to provide a certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.

You must .Ìý

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.Ìý

Providing biometric information and supporting documentsÌý

You’ll need to have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point as part of your application.

You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents. You can:Ìý

• upload them into the online serviceÌý
• have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointmentÌý

Children under the age of 6 do not need to provide biometric information.

When to apply

You can submit your application as soon as you meet all the eligibility requirements - you do not need to wait until your current visa expires.

How long it takes

You’ll be told whether your application has been successful within 6 months of your application date if you use the standard service.

If you use the super priority service a decision will be made:

• by the end of the next working day after your UKVCAS appointment if your appointment is on a weekday
• 2 working days after your UKVCAS appointment if your appointment is at the weekend

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

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 successful

You’ll get an eVisa (an online record of your immigration status).

Your decision email or letter will tell you how to get access to your eVisa. You’ll need to create a UKVI account.Ìý

You’ll then be able to 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 the UK for more than 2 years

You’ll lose your indefinite leave to remain if you stay outside the UK for more than 2 years at a time.

You’ll need to apply for a Returning Resident visa before you can return to the UK.

Get help using a computer 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 must .

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Providing biometric information and supporting documents

You’ll need to book an appointment to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) and have your supporting documents checked. You’ll be told how to do this when you apply.

Children under the age of 6 do not need to provide biometric information.

When to apply

You can submit your application as soon as you meet all the eligibility requirements - you do not need to wait until your current visa expires.

How long it takes

You’ll be told whether your application has been successful within 8 weeks.

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

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 to extend your visa in the UK.

Your family members (‘dependants’) can apply separately if they’re eligible for indefinite leave to remain with long residence.

A dependant is your:

• partner
• child

Dependants who are not eligible

If your dependants are not eligible to apply separately and your application for settlement is successful, they can apply to:

• remain in the UK as the partner of a settled person (they may be able to include their children in their application)
• remain in the UK as the child of a settled person

Children 18 and over

Your children may have to leave the UK if they’re not eligible to apply separately and are over 18.