UK · Settlement
Visa to ILR Roadmap
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) removes all restrictions on how long you can stay in the UK. Most Skilled Worker visa holders reach it after five continuous years — here's the realistic path.
The Journey
Five years, four milestones
Year 0
Enter the UK on your first Skilled Worker visa, typically granted for up to 5 years.
Years 1–4
Stay continuously sponsored. Absences of more than 180 days in any 12-month rolling period can reset your clock.
Year 5
Apply for ILR: pass the Life in the UK test and prove English at B1, meet the salary/continuous employment requirement.
Year 6+
After 12 months holding ILR, most people become eligible to apply for British citizenship.
Watch Out For
The most common ways people delay themselves
| Risk | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Long absences from the UK | More than 180 days out in any rolling 12 months can break "continuous residence" |
| Changing sponsor without updating your visa | Working for an unsponsored employer, even briefly, can breach your visa conditions |
| Salary dropping below threshold | ILR requires you to still meet the going rate for your role at the time of application |
| Letting your visa lapse before renewing | Any gap in valid leave can restart your continuous residence clock |
Before You Land
Get the costs sorted first
Budget for your full five-year journey, not just the first visa — renewals and the IHS add up.
Calculate visa costs →