ILR Eligibility Calculator: Find Out Exactly When You Can Apply for UK Settlement
Enter your Skilled Worker visa start date and get your exact ILR eligibility date in seconds. Free, instant, and built on the current 5-year qualifying period rules - including the 180-day absence limit, the £3,226 application fee, and the upcoming B2 English change in March 2027.
- Takes less than 60 seconds
- Free, no signup
- 3,000+ ILR approvals
ILR ELIGIBILITY CALCULATOR
When did your visa start?
We'll calculate your exact eligibility date instantly
What is ILR and why does it matter?
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) - also called settlement - is the most significant milestone in a Skilled Worker's UK immigration journey. It grants the right to live, work and study in the UK indefinitely, without visa conditions, time limits, or employer restrictions. Once you hold ILR, you are no longer tied to a sponsor, cannot be required to leave, and can access public funds if eligible.
After 12 months of holding ILR, you can apply for British citizenship through naturalisation. Understanding your exact ILR eligibility date is the first step - and our calculator gives you that date instantly by adding 5 years to your Skilled Worker visa start date.
THE 5-YEAR QUALIFYING PERIOD
What You Need to Know
The 5-year qualifying period for ILR begins on the date your first Skilled Worker (or legacy Tier 2 General) visa was issued - not when you entered the UK, and not the CoS start date. This is the date printed on your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or visa vignette.
The period must be continuous - meaning you must hold qualifying leave throughout, with no gaps, and must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any single 12-month rolling window.
REQUIREMENTS
ILR requirements for Skilled Worker visa holders (2026)
Everything you need to qualify, summarised
Source: GOV.UK - ILR for Skilled Worker visa holders. Fees and English requirements correct as of May 2026.
WHAT COUNTS
Towards your 5-year qualifying period?
YOUR JOURNEY
Your ILR timeline: Year by year
Plan ahead at the brilliant dates - what to do at each stage.
WHEN
Year 1 – 3
Build your qualifying period
Keep records of all absences. Ensure salary stays above threshold each renewal. File for visa renewal before expiry.
WHEN
Year 3 – 4
Monitor your absences
Check your 180-day allowance in each rolling 12-month window. Book your Life in the UK test - pass it before year 5.
WHEN
Year 4.5
Pre-ILR preparation
Gather all documents: passport travel history, P60s, payslips, employment letter, tenancy/ownership evidence. Book a WPC ILR consultation.
WHEN
Year 5 minus 28 days
Earliest application date
Submit ILR application via the online portal. Pay the £3,226 fee. Attend biometrics appointment.
WHEN
Post-ILR
Settled status
You can now live, work and study indefinitely. After 12 months of ILR you can apply for British citizenship.
WHEN
March 2027 change
B2 English for settlement
If your 5-year anniversary falls after March 2027, you will need CEFR B2 English evidence instead of B1.
IMPORTANT 2026 UPDATES
The Proposed 10-Year Route and B2 English Change
Two significant developments affect ILR planning for Skilled Workers in 2026.
10-year earned settlement route
The UK Government proposed extending the ILR qualifying period from 5 to 10 years (with a 'contributions' test) in 2025. However, this implementation has been delayed and the 5-year route remains in force as of May 2026. WPC monitors this closely and will update all clients when the position changes.
Read: UK ILR Shake-Up: New 10-Year Wait and Contribution Rules Explained →B2 English for settlement (from March 2027)
The Home Office has confirmed that from March 2027, ILR applicants will need to demonstrate CEFR B2 English (upper-intermediate), raised from the current B1. This is not yet in force — but if your ILR eligibility date falls after March 2027, you should begin preparing now.
Read: UK Earned Settlement Delay and New B2 English Rules 2027 →STEP BY STEP
How to Apply for ILR
ILR requirements for Skilled Worker visa holders (2026).
- 1
Check your eligibility date
Use the calculator above. Your date is 5 years from your visa issue date (minus up to 28 days for early application).
- 2
Verify your absences
Check that you have not exceeded 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month rolling period. Use your passport stamps and travel records.
- 3
Pass the Life in the UK test
Book and pass the test at gov.uk/life-in-the-uk-test. Cost: £50 per sitting.
- 4
Gather documents
Passport(s), all travel history, P60s and payslips for 5 years, employment letter, proof of address, English language evidence, Life in the UK pass certificate.
- 5
Book a WPC ILR consultation
WPC reviews your complete situation - absences, salary compliance, documents - and prepares your application. See our ILR service page for full details.
- 6
Submit online
Apply via the GOV.UK online portal. Pay the £3,226 fee and attend your biometrics appointment.
- 7
Decision
Standard service within 6 months. Priority service available for an additional fee. Successful applicants receive a Biometric Residence Permit (or digital status) confirming ILR.
ILR for Dependants
Your partner and children who have lived in the UK with you for the same qualifying period can apply for ILR simultaneously. Each dependant must meet the absence and continuity requirements independently. Each application costs £3,226.
Read our full guide: Comprehensive Guide to ILR for Dependants in the UK →AFTER ILR
After ILR: The route to British citizenship
Holding ILR is itself a major life milestone - but it is also the penultimate step on the path to British citizenship. After 12 months of ILR (and provided you meet the naturalisation requirements including the residence test), you can apply for citizenship via the naturalisation route.
Citizenship grants a British passport and the right to pass status to children born in the UK.
12 months
Wait after ILR before citizenship
Naturalisation
Test + good character
British passport
Final outcome
Related services & tools
ILR Service Page
Expert ILR application support, document review, and submission management.
View →HR Compliance Audit Tool
Ensure your sponsor remains compliant during your qualifying period.
View →Sponsor Licence Status Checker
Verify your employer’s licence remains active throughout your 5 years.
View →Right to Work Check Tool
Post-ILR your right to work status changes; ensure records are updated.
View →Supplementary Work Checker
Check second-job eligibility while building your qualifying period.
View →IHS & Visa Fee Calculator
If you need to renew your Skilled Worker visa before your ILR date.
View →Further reading from the WPC blog
When Are You Eligible for ILR? UK 5-Year Settlement Window Explained
Definitive guide to the 5-year qualifying period.
Skilled Worker Visa to ILR in 2025: Salary Rules & Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Application walkthrough with current salary requirements.
What Counts Towards Your 5-Year ILR Qualifying Period?
Which visa types count, absence rules, and gap risks.
UK ILR Shake-Up: New 10-Year Wait and Contribution Rules Explained
What the proposed changes mean and when they may take effect.
Earned Settlement 2026: 10-Year ILR Changes After Consultation
Latest status of the 10-year route proposals.
UK Earned Settlement Delay and New B2 English Rules 2027
The confirmed B2 English change for settlement from March 2027.
Comprehensive Guide to ILR for Dependants in the UK
How to apply for ILR for your partner and children simultaneously.
FAQ
Common questions
When can I apply for ILR on a Skilled Worker visa?
You can apply for ILR after 5 continuous years on a qualifying Skilled Worker visa (or legacy Tier 2). The earliest you can submit your application is 28 days before your 5-year anniversary. Use our calculator above to find your exact eligibility date.
What is the 180-day absence rule for ILR?
You must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any single 12-month period during your 5-year qualifying period. The Home Office assesses each rolling 12-month window individually - not the 5-year total. A single year with 181+ days absence can break the continuity of your qualifying period.
How much does ILR cost in 2026?
The ILR application fee is £3,226 per applicant as of April 2026. This applies to the main applicant and each dependant applying at the same time. Unlike a visa, there is no Immigration Health Surcharge to pay after ILR is granted.
Do I need to pass the Life in the UK test for ILR?
Yes. You must pass the Life in the UK test before submitting your ILR application. The test costs £50, takes approximately 45 minutes, and covers British history, culture, and society. Book at gov.uk/life-in-the-uk-test. There is no limit on the number of retakes.
What English language level do I need for ILR in 2026?
Currently B1 (CEFR - intermediate). However, from March 2027 the requirement will increase to B2 (upper-intermediate). If your ILR application date falls after March 2027, you should begin preparing for B2 evidence now.
Will the 5-year route to ILR change to 10 years?
The UK Government proposed a 10-year earned settlement route in 2025, but the implementation has been delayed. As of May 2026, the 5-year route remains in force for Skilled Worker visa holders. Changes are subject to consultation and legislation - WPC will update clients as the position becomes clearer.
Can my family members apply for ILR at the same time as me?
Yes. Dependants (partner and children) who have lived in the UK with you for the same 5-year period can apply for ILR simultaneously. They must meet the same absence and continuity requirements. Each application costs £3,226.
What documents do I need for an ILR application?
You will typically need: valid passport(s), all previous passports used during the qualifying period, travel history records, P60s and payslips for the 5 years, employer letter confirming continuous employment, proof of address (tenancy agreement or mortgage statements), Life in the UK test pass certificate, and English language evidence.
What happens after I get ILR?
ILR gives you the right to live, work, and study in the UK indefinitely with no visa conditions. After 12 months of holding ILR (and meeting citizenship requirements including the naturalisation residence requirement), you can apply for British citizenship.
Still have questions?
Have a specific ILR eligibility concern? Talk to an Adviser.