ILR Timeline 2026: From First Visa to Settlement and Citizenship
By Howard Wilson, Editor · Reviewed against the Immigration Rules, the British Nationality Act 1981 and GOV.UK fee and processing 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: on a typical 5-year route, the ILR timeline is 5 years of qualifying residence, submission up to 28 days early, a biometrics appointment, then a decision usually within 6 months (or faster with priority). You can normally apply for British citizenship 12 months after ILR, or straight away if your spouse is British. Get your personal dates from the free ILR calculator.
The ILR timeline at a glance
| Stage | When | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying period | Year 0 to year 5 (varies by route) | Keep absences within the 180-day rule and keep your visa valid |
| Preparation | 6 to 3 months before your date | Pass the Life in the UK test, secure English evidence (Appendix KoLL), gather documents |
| Earliest submission | Up to 28 days before completion | Submit SET(O), SET(M) or the route form online; see how to apply for ILR |
| Biometrics | Usually within a few weeks of applying | Attend a UKVCAS appointment for fingerprints and photo |
| Decision | Standard: usually within 6 months | Priority: about 5 working days after biometrics; super priority: next working day |
| ILR granted | On decision | Your status is issued as an eVisa |
| British citizenship | Usually 12 months after ILR | Apply for naturalisation; see citizenship after ILR |
Stage 1: The qualifying period
Your timeline starts on your qualifying-period start date, usually the date you arrived on your first qualifying visa or the date permission was granted in the UK. Most work and family routes need 5 years, Global Talent and Innovator Founder can settle after 3, and long residence needs 10. The step-by-step date guide shows the arithmetic.
During these years, every extension must be made before your current permission expires, and absences must stay within the limits for your route. One overlong trip can restart the clock.
Stage 2: Preparing in the final six months
- Run your full trip history through the ILR absence calculator.
- Book and pass the Life in the UK test (£50, 24 questions, pass mark 75%).
- Confirm your English evidence at B1 speaking and listening, unless exempt.
- Collect evidence with the ILR document checklist, including salary or financial requirement evidence where your route needs it.
- Budget for the fee using ILR fees and processing times or the ILR cost calculator.
Stage 3: Submitting up to 28 days early
On most routes you can submit up to 28 days before you complete the qualifying period. Applying earlier risks refusal and a lost fee. Use the right form: SET(O) for most work routes and SET(M) for partners. The ILR fee is £3,226 per person from 8 April 2026, with no separate biometric fee.
Stage 4: Biometrics and waiting for a decision
After you submit, you book a biometrics appointment. Standard applications are usually decided within six months. Priority service (£500) aims for a decision within five working days of biometrics and super priority (£1,000) by the end of the next working day, where available. Avoid leaving the Common Travel Area while the application is pending: this normally withdraws it. See travel during an ILR application.
Stage 5: After ILR is granted
ILR is issued as an eVisa linked to your UKVI account. Keep your details up to date. ILR can lapse after more than 2 continuous years outside the UK; if that happens you may need a returning resident visa. If your application is refused, read what to do if ILR is refused.
Stage 6: British citizenship
Most people can apply to naturalise 12 months after getting ILR. You also need five years of residence with no more than 450 days outside the UK in that period and no more than 90 days in the final 12 months, plus the good character requirement. If you are married to a British citizen, see citizenship for spouses of British citizens. Check your absences with the naturalisation calculator and the citizenship absence rules, and budget with British citizenship cost. Not sure whether to stop at ILR? Compare ILR vs citizenship.
Could the timeline change?
The proposed earned settlement reform would lengthen the standard qualifying period to 10 years. As of 30 September 2026 it has not been laid as Immigration Rules, so current timelines still apply.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the ILR process take from start to finish?
Most people complete a 5-year qualifying period, apply up to 28 days early, and receive a standard decision usually within six months. Priority (£500) and super priority (£1,000) services can shorten the decision stage to about five working days or the next working day after biometrics.
How long does an ILR decision take in 2026?
Standard ILR applications are usually decided within six months. Priority service aims for a decision within five working days of your biometrics appointment, and super priority by the end of the next working day.
Can I travel outside the UK while my ILR application is pending?
Leaving the Common Travel Area while an ILR application is pending normally means the application is treated as withdrawn, and the fee is not refunded. Plan travel after your decision.
When can I apply for British citizenship after ILR?
Usually 12 months after being granted ILR, provided you meet the residence and absence requirements. If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, you can apply as soon as you get ILR.
How much does the ILR application cost in 2026?
The ILR fee is £3,226 per person from 8 April 2026. There is no separate biometric enrolment fee. Priority and super priority services cost extra.