ILR Qualifying Period Calculator
Calculate the exact date your 5-year or 10-year continuous residence period is completed based on your visa start date.
Qualifying Period vs. Visa Expiry Date
It is a common misconception that your Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) qualifying period ends on the expiry date of your current visa. This is rarely the case. Your qualifying period completes exactly 5 (or 10) years from the date your leave to enter or remain was granted — the anniversary date.
Why the dates often differ
When the Home Office grants a visa, they often add a short buffer period (e.g., 1 or 2 months) to account for processing time or life events. For example, if you were granted 5 years of leave on 15 December 2020, your visa might be valid until 31 March 2026. However, your qualifying period for ILR completes on 15 December 2025.
Start Date Rules
For your qualifying period to start counting, you must have been granted leave that leads to settlement. If you entered the UK on a Student visa or a Standard Visitor visa and later switched to a Skilled Worker visa, the time spent on the Student visa generally does not count towards the 5-year qualifying period. Only time spent on the Skilled Worker visa counts.
Long Residence (10 Years)
For the 10-year Long Residence route, any lawful residence in the UK counts, regardless of whether it was on a settlement route or not. However, you must ensure there were no gaps in your leave exceeding 28 days during this decade.