How to Calculate Your ILR Date: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
By Howard Wilson, Editor · Reviewed against the Immigration Rules, Appendix Continuous Residence and GOV.UK guidance on 30 September 2026. General information, not legal advice. Howard is not a solicitor or regulated immigration adviser; see our editorial standards.
Quick answer: your ILR date is your qualifying-period start date plus the qualifying period for your route (usually 5 years). On most routes you can then submit up to 28 days before that date, provided you have not spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period. The free ILR Calculator UK does all three steps for you.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also called settlement, lets you live and work in the UK without time limits. Getting the date right matters: apply one day too early and the Home Office can refuse the application and keep the £3,226 fee. This guide shows exactly how the date is worked out, with worked examples, so you can check the result from any ILR calculator by hand.
Step 1: Identify your settlement route and qualifying period
The qualifying period is set by the route you will settle on, not by how long you have been in the UK overall. Common periods are:
| Route | Usual qualifying period | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | 5 years | Skilled Worker ILR |
| Health and Care Worker | 5 years | Health and Care Worker ILR |
| Spouse or partner (Appendix FM) | 5 years | Spouse visa ILR |
| British National (Overseas) | 5 years | BNO ILR |
| UK Ancestry | 5 years | UK Ancestry ILR |
| Global Talent | 3 or 5 years | Global Talent ILR |
| Innovator Founder | 3 years | Innovator Founder ILR |
| Long residence | 10 years | 10-year long residence |
| Private life | 5 or 10 years depending on circumstances | Private life ILR |
If you are unsure which route you are on, the ILR visa routes overview explains each one. If you have switched visas, check whether earlier time can be combined.
Step 2: Find your qualifying-period start date
For most routes the clock starts on one of two dates:
- Visa granted outside the UK (entry clearance): usually the date you arrived in the UK on that visa, not the date on the vignette.
- Permission granted inside the UK: usually the date the permission was granted.
Gaps in lawful residence, a switch to a route that cannot be combined, or a long absence can reset the start date. Our guide to the ILR qualifying period start date covers these edge cases.
Step 3: Add the qualifying period
Add the whole number of years for your route to the start date. For a 5-year route, a start date of 14 March 2022 gives a completion date of 14 March 2027. This is the date on which you have completed five years of continuous residence.
Step 4: Apply the 28-day early application rule
On most routes the Immigration Rules let the qualifying period be calculated up to 28 days after the date of application. In practice, that means you can submit up to 28 days before your completion date. Using the example above, the earliest safe submission date is 14 February 2027. Submitting before that date is one of the most common avoidable refusals. Read more in the ILR requirements guide.
Step 5: Check your absences against the 180-day rule
Continuous residence is broken on most 5-year routes if you spend more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period during the qualifying period. The test is rolling, not by calendar or visa year, so every 12-month window must pass. Use the ILR absence calculator to check every window, and read how the 180-day rule is counted.
Worked examples
| Scenario | Start date | Completion date | Earliest submission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker, entry clearance, arrived 3 June 2021 | 3 June 2021 | 3 June 2026 | 6 May 2026 |
| Spouse visa granted in the UK on 10 January 2022 | 10 January 2022 | 10 January 2027 | 13 December 2026 |
| Long residence starting 1 September 2016 | 1 September 2016 | 1 September 2026 | 4 August 2026 |
These examples assume no break in lawful residence and no absence problems. Always confirm the dates with your own immigration history.
What else must be ready on your ILR date
- Life in the UK test passed and English at B1 or above, unless exempt: see Appendix KoLL explained.
- Route requirements met on the date of application, such as salary for Skilled Worker or the financial requirement for partners.
- Your evidence gathered using the ILR document checklist.
- The fee budgeted: see ILR fees and processing times.
Will the qualifying period change?
The Government has proposed an earned settlement model with a 10-year baseline. As of 30 September 2026 no Statement of Changes implementing it has been laid, so the 5-year route still applies. If you are close to your date, the safest option is to apply as soon as you are eligible.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my ILR date?
Take the date your qualifying period started (usually the date you entered the UK on your first qualifying visa, or the date permission was granted if you applied inside the UK), add the qualifying period for your route (for example 5 years), then subtract 28 days to find the earliest date you can submit. Check your absences against the 180-day rule before relying on the date.
Can I apply for ILR 28 days early?
Yes, on most settlement routes. The rules allow your qualifying period to be calculated up to 28 days after the date you apply, so you can submit up to 28 days before you complete the full period. Applying earlier than that is a common cause of refusal.
Does the 5-year ILR period start from my visa grant date or my arrival date?
Usually, if you got entry clearance from outside the UK, time counts from the date you arrived in the UK on that visa. If you were granted permission inside the UK, it counts from the date of grant. Route switches and gaps can change this, so check the rules for your route.
What happens if I have been outside the UK for more than 180 days?
On most 5-year routes, spending more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period breaks continuous residence, and your qualifying period may restart. Some absences for specific reasons can be disregarded.
Has the 5-year ILR route changed to 10 years?
Not yet. As of 30 September 2026 the earned settlement proposals, including a 10-year baseline, have not been laid as Immigration Rules. The standard 5-year route still applies.
Is the ILR calculator free?
Yes. The ILR Calculator UK homepage tool is free, runs in your browser and does not store your dates.
Ready to check your own date? Use the free ILR calculator to get your completion date, earliest submission date and absence check in one place.