ILR Glossary: UK Settlement and Immigration Terms Explained (A–Z)
By Howard Wilson, Editor · Reviewed against the Immigration Rules and GOV.UK on 30 September 2026. General information, not legal advice. See our editorial standards.
This ILR glossary defines 54 terms you will meet when applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and British citizenship, from the 28-day rule to UKVI. Each definition links to our detailed guide and, where relevant, to the official source on GOV.UK. For a guided route through these topics, start with the ILR Knowledge Hub, or check your own dates with the ILR calculator.
Jump to: 0–9 · A · B · C · D · E · F · G · H · I · L · N · P · Q · R · S · U
0–9
28-day rule
The rule that lets most applicants submit an ILR application up to 28 days before completing their qualifying period, because the period can be calculated to a date up to 28 days after the application date. Read more: How to calculate your ILR date · Appendix Continuous Residence (GOV.UK).
180-day rule
The continuous residence rule that, on most routes, allows no more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period during the qualifying period. Read more: The 180-day rule explained · Appendix Continuous Residence (GOV.UK).
A
Absence
Any period spent outside the UK. Absences are counted in whole days and tested against the limit for your route, such as the 180-day rule for ILR or the 450-day limit for naturalisation. Read more: ILR absence calculator · Appendix Continuous Residence (GOV.UK).
Administrative review
A request for the Home Office to check whether a caseworker made an error in refusing an application. It is not a new decision on fresh evidence. Read more: ILR refused: what to do · Administrative review (GOV.UK).
Appendix Continuous Residence
The part of the Immigration Rules that sets how continuous residence is calculated for most settlement routes, including absence limits and what breaks continuity. Read more: The 180-day rule · Appendix Continuous Residence (GOV.UK).
Appendix FM
The Immigration Rules for family members, including the 5-year partner route to settlement and the financial requirement. Read more: Spouse visa ILR · Appendix FM (GOV.UK).
Appendix FM-SE
The specified evidence rules that set exactly which documents prove the financial requirement on partner and family routes. Read more: ILR financial requirement · Appendix FM (GOV.UK).
Appendix KoLL
Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK: the rule requiring most ILR and citizenship applicants to show B1 English and pass the Life in the UK test. Read more: Appendix KoLL explained · Appendix KoLL (GOV.UK).
Appendix Long Residence
The Immigration Rules for settlement after 10 years of continuous lawful residence in the UK. Read more: 10-year long residence ILR · Appendix Long Residence (GOV.UK).
Appendix Private Life
The Immigration Rules for permission and settlement based on private life in the UK, with 5-year and 10-year routes. Read more: Private life ILR · Appendix Private Life (GOV.UK).
B
B1 (CEFR)
A level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. ILR and naturalisation usually require English speaking and listening at B1 or above. Read more: ILR English requirement · SELT guidance (GOV.UK).
Biometrics
Your fingerprints and facial photograph, taken at a UKVCAS appointment after you apply. There is no separate fee for giving biometrics on an ILR application. Read more: ILR fees and processing times · ILR for Skilled Workers (GOV.UK).
BN(O)
British National (Overseas): a form of British nationality held by some people connected with Hong Kong. The BN(O) visa leads to settlement after 5 years. Read more: BNO visa ILR · BNO visa (GOV.UK).
British citizenship
Full British nationality. Most people with ILR can apply to become British citizens by naturalisation, usually 12 months after getting ILR. Read more: British citizenship after ILR · Check if you can become a British citizen (GOV.UK).
BRP
Biometric residence permit: the physical card that used to show immigration status. BRPs have been replaced by eVisas. Read more: ILR eVisa after approval · eVisas (GOV.UK).
C
Certificate of Sponsorship
The electronic record a licensed sponsor assigns to a worker on sponsored routes such as Skilled Worker. Your sponsor must confirm your employment when you apply for ILR. Read more: Skilled Worker ILR · Appendix Skilled Worker (GOV.UK).
Citizenship ceremony
The event at which a new British citizen makes an oath or affirmation and receives their certificate of naturalisation. Read more: British citizenship cost · Check if you can become a British citizen (GOV.UK).
Common Travel Area
The travel area made up of the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Leaving it while an ILR application is pending normally withdraws the application. Read more: Travel during an ILR application.
Continuous residence
Living in the UK lawfully throughout the qualifying period without absences that break continuity. It is the core requirement for most ILR routes. Read more: ILR requirements · Appendix Continuous Residence (GOV.UK).
D
Dependant
A partner or child applying for settlement on the basis of their relationship to the main applicant. Read more: ILR for dependants · Check if you can get ILR (GOV.UK).
E
Earned settlement
The Government’s proposed reform to replace the standard 5-year route with a 10-year baseline that can be shortened by contributions. It has not yet been laid as Immigration Rules. Read more: Earned settlement UK.
Ecctis
The UK agency (formerly UK NARIC) that confirms whether an overseas qualification is equivalent to a UK degree and was taught in English. Read more: ILR English requirement · KoLL caseworker guidance (GOV.UK).
Entry clearance
Permission to enter the UK granted before you travel. For most routes, your qualifying period starts on the date you arrive with it. Read more: ILR qualifying period start date · Immigration Rules (GOV.UK).
eVisa
The online record of your immigration status, accessed through a UKVI account. ILR is now issued as an eVisa. Read more: ILR eVisa after approval · eVisas (GOV.UK).
F
Financial requirement
The minimum income or savings a partner-route applicant must show, with evidence set out in Appendix FM-SE. Read more: ILR financial requirement · Appendix FM (GOV.UK).
G
Global Talent
A visa route for leaders and potential leaders in fields such as science, engineering, arts and digital technology. Some main applicants can settle after 3 years. Read more: Global Talent ILR · Immigration Rules (GOV.UK).
Good character requirement
The requirement for citizenship applicants to show they have respected UK law and immigration rules. Convictions, deception and immigration breaches are considered. Read more: Good character requirement · British Nationality Act 1981 (legislation.gov.uk).
H
Health and Care Worker
A sponsored work route for eligible health and social care roles, leading to ILR after 5 years. Read more: Health and Care Worker ILR · ILR for Skilled Workers (GOV.UK).
I
Immigration Health Surcharge
The fee most temporary visa holders pay for NHS access. It is not payable on ILR applications. Read more: ILR fees and processing times.
Immigration Rules
The rules made under the Immigration Act 1971 that set the requirements for every UK visa and settlement route. They change through Statements of Changes. Read more: ILR requirements · Immigration Rules (GOV.UK).
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
Permission to stay in the UK without a time limit, also called settlement. ILR lets you live, work and study in the UK and is usually the step before British citizenship. Read more: ILR Calculator UK · Check if you can get ILR (GOV.UK).
Innovator Founder
A visa route for people setting up an innovative business in the UK, endorsed by an approved body. It can lead to ILR after 3 years. Read more: Innovator Founder ILR · Immigration Rules (GOV.UK).
L
Lapse of ILR
ILR normally lapses if you spend more than 2 continuous years outside the UK. You may then need a returning resident visa. Read more: Returning resident visa · Returning resident visa (GOV.UK).
Life in the UK test
A 45-minute test of 24 multiple-choice questions on British history, values and everyday life. You need 18 correct answers to pass, and the test costs £50. Read more: Life in the UK test guide · Book the Life in the UK test (GOV.UK).
Long residence
The 10-year route to ILR based on continuous lawful residence in the UK under Appendix Long Residence. Read more: 10-year long residence ILR · Appendix Long Residence (GOV.UK).
N
Naturalisation
The process by which an adult with ILR or equivalent status becomes a British citizen under the British Nationality Act 1981. Read more: Naturalisation calculator · British Nationality Act 1981 (legislation.gov.uk).
No recourse to public funds
A visa condition that stops most temporary migrants claiming most benefits. The condition does not apply once you have ILR. Read more: ILR vs citizenship.
P
Part 9
The part of the Immigration Rules setting the general grounds for refusal, such as criminality, deception and unpaid NHS debts. It applies to ILR applications. Read more: ILR refused: what to do · Part 9: grounds for refusal (GOV.UK).
Priority service
An optional paid service (£500) that aims for a decision within five working days of your biometrics appointment, where available. Read more: ILR fees and processing times · Faster decision services (GOV.UK).
Private life route
A route for people who have built their life in the UK, leading to settlement after 5 or 10 years depending on circumstances. Read more: Private life ILR · Appendix Private Life (GOV.UK).
Q
Qualifying period
The length of continuous residence your route requires before ILR, for example 5 years for Skilled Worker or 10 years for long residence. Read more: How to calculate your ILR date · Appendix Continuous Residence (GOV.UK).
R
Returning resident visa
A visa for former ILR holders whose status lapsed through a long absence and who want to return to the UK to settle. Read more: Returning resident visa · Returning resident visa (GOV.UK).
Rolling 12-month period
Any 12 consecutive months, not a calendar or visa year. The 180-day rule is tested across every such window. Read more: The 180-day rule · Appendix Continuous Residence (GOV.UK).
S
SELT
Secure English Language Test: an English test from a Home Office approved provider. A B1 speaking and listening SELT meets the ILR English requirement. Read more: Appendix KoLL explained · SELT guidance (GOV.UK).
SET(M)
The application for ILR on the partner (spouse) route under Appendix FM. Read more: SET(M) form guide · ILR if you have family in the UK (GOV.UK).
SET(O)
The application for ILR on most work and other routes, including Skilled Worker and Global Talent. Read more: SET(O) form guide · ILR for Skilled Workers (GOV.UK).
Settled status
Status under the EU Settlement Scheme that is equivalent to ILR. It is separate from the ILR routes covered on this site. Read more: ILR vs citizenship.
Settlement
Another word for Indefinite Leave to Remain: the right to live in the UK permanently. Read more: ILR visa routes · Check if you can get ILR (GOV.UK).
Skilled Worker
The main sponsored work route, leading to ILR after 5 years if salary and sponsorship requirements are met. Read more: Skilled Worker ILR · Appendix Skilled Worker (GOV.UK).
Statement of Changes
The formal document through which the Home Office amends the Immigration Rules. Rule changes usually take effect on dates it sets. Read more: Earned settlement UK · Immigration Rules (GOV.UK).
Super priority service
An optional paid service (£1,000) that aims for a decision by the end of the next working day after biometrics, where available. Read more: ILR fees and processing times · Faster decision services (GOV.UK).
Switching
Moving from one visa route to another from inside the UK. Whether earlier time counts towards ILR depends on the routes involved. Read more: Combining visa routes for ILR · Immigration Rules (GOV.UK).
U
UK Ancestry
A route for Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born grandparent, leading to ILR after 5 years. Read more: UK Ancestry ILR · Immigration Rules (GOV.UK).
UKVI
UK Visas and Immigration: the Home Office directorate that decides visa, settlement and citizenship applications. Read more: How to apply for ILR · Check if you can get ILR (GOV.UK).
Put these terms into practice
Ready to apply the rules to your own history? Use the ILR Calculator UK for your qualifying and earliest application dates, the ILR absence calculator for the 180-day rule, and the ILR timeline to plan each step. Browse every page in our sitemap.