ILR Calculator — free UK immigration planning tool for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Covers qualifying dates, 180-day absence limits, continuous residence, settlement routes and fees. Planning aid only, not legal advice.
🚨 April 2026 Update: ILR fee rose to £3,226 from 8 Apr · Earned settlement changes targeted for Autumn 2026 — apply under current 5-year rules while you still can →
🚨 Earned Settlement Autumn 2026 — 5-Year Route Still in Force Now

Free ILR Calculator UK 2026 —
Check Your Qualifying Date Instantly

The UK's most thorough Indefinite Leave to Remain calculator. Check your qualifying date, 28-day application window, 180-day rolling absence test and which settlement route applies — Skilled Worker, BNO visa, Spouse/Partner or 10-year Long Residence. Free, no login, no data stored.

↓ Check My ILR Date — Free 2026 Deadline Guide →
11
Free Calculators
180
Day Absence Rule
28
Day Early Window
6
Settlement Routes
0
Data Stored
Breaking

ILR News & Rule Changes — April 2026

Last updated: April 2026
⚠ Fee Increase — 8 April 2026

The ILR application fee rose from £3,029 to £3,226 per applicant on 8 April 2026 — a 6.5% increase. Priority service: £3,726. Super Priority: £4,226. Each family member pays separately. Full fee guide →

⏰ Earned Settlement — Autumn 2026 Target

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed on 1 March 2026 that the 5-year route will be replaced by a 10-year "earned settlement" model in Autumn 2026 — and it will apply retrospectively to people already in the UK. The 5-year route is still in force today. What this means →

📋 Consultation Closed — 12 February 2026

The "Fairer Pathway to Settlement" consultation received ~130,000 responses. The Home Office is reviewing them. No new Immigration Rules have been laid yet — transitional arrangements remain undecided. Parliament debate →

🗣 Salary Compliance — 7 April 2026

From 7 April 2026, Skilled Worker sponsors must pay the minimum salary in each pay period — UKVI can now detect breaches without averaging over a year. Workers paid irregularly may face visa compliance issues affecting their ILR timeline.

✅ English Requirement Rise — March 2027

Confirmed via HC 1691 (March 2026): the English language requirement for most settlement routes will rise from B1 to B2 from 26 March 2027. Not in force yet — but plan ahead if you're applying in 2027 or later.

🛂 eVisa System Now Live

The Home Office has moved fully to digital eVisa status — ILR is now recorded in a UKVI online account, not a physical BRP. If you have ILR, check your eVisa is accessible and linked to your passport to avoid travel issues.

Bottom line for April 2026: The 5-year ILR route remains fully in force. Earned settlement is not yet law. If you qualify (or will qualify before Autumn 2026), applying now under the current rules is the safest option — once the new rules take effect, the baseline period becomes 10 years for most routes. Read the full 2026 deadline action guide →

Main Tool

ILR Calculator — Check Your Qualifying Date, Absence Days & Application Window

Enter your visa start date, select your route, and add any trips outside the UK. The ILR calculator will instantly show your qualifying end date, the earliest date you can apply (using the 28-day window), and whether you pass the 180-day rolling absence test.

ILR Calculator for UK — Check Your Qualifying Period

Results show your qualifying end date, earliest apply date (28-day rule) and continuous residence pass/fail (180-day rule). Works for Skilled Worker, BNO, Spouse and Long Residence routes.

  • 5 years
    Skilled Worker / Family routes
  • 3 years
    Certain partner routes
  • 2 years
    Some Innovator routes
  • 10 years
    Long Residence route

Absences from the UK

Your ILR Results

Qualifying End Date
—
Earliest Apply Date
—
Total Absence Days
—

Key Rules & Formulas

  • Qualifying end date = start date + qualifying years
  • Earliest apply date = qualifying end date − 28 days
  • Absence counting: each trip = (return − departure + 1) days; overlapping trips merged
  • Rolling 12-month test: any window >180 days absent → continuous residence fails
  • Not sure which route applies? Try the Settlement Route Calculator ↓

All Tools

ILR Calculators by Visa Route

Click any card to open the calculator. Each tool covers a specific part of the UK settlement process — including BNO visa ILR calculator, spouse visa timeline, Skilled Worker route eligibility and continuous residence period.

Absences
Tool 01

ILR Absence Calculator

Calculate total absence days and detect any rolling 12-month window exceeding the 180-day limit. See the absence guide for full rules.

Open tool →
Residence
Tool 02

Continuous Residence Period Calculator

Verify 5-year continuous lawful residence accounting for all absences. See the continuous residence guide.

Open tool →
Routes
Tool 03

Settlement Route Eligibility Calculator

Find your most likely ILR route — Skilled Worker, Partner, BNO, EU Settled Status and more. Compare in the settlement route guide.

Open tool →
Points
Tool 04

UK Visa Points Calculator

Official Skilled Worker points logic — mandatory and tradeable points against salary thresholds. Full breakdown in the visa points guide.

Open tool →
Family
Tool 05

Spouse / Partner Visa ILR Calculator

Key milestones, financial requirements and qualifying dates for UK spouse and partner routes to ILR. See the full spouse visa timeline guide for detailed rules.

Open tool →
BNO
Tool 06

BNO Visa ILR Calculator

Calculate your ILR qualifying date as a Hong Kong BNO visa holder after 5 years on the BNO route. Includes 180-day absence check. Full rules in the BNO settlement guide.

Open tool →
EU
Tool 07

EU Settled Status to ILR Calculator

Timeline and eligibility for EU pre-settled or settled status holders converting to ILR.

Open tool →
Finance
Tool 08

Income Requirement Calculator

Check whether your salary and savings meet financial thresholds for family and settlement routes.

Open tool →
Citizenship
Tool 09

Citizenship Readiness Calculator

Check the 12-month waiting period after ILR grant before applying for British naturalisation.

Open tool →
Fees
Tool 10

Immigration Application Fee Calculator

Estimate total costs: Home Office fees, biometric enrolment and optional legal representation.

Open tool →

Expert Guides

ILR Rules & Calculation Guides

Deep-dive articles explaining the rules behind each calculator.

View all ILR guides →
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Latest News

UK Immigration Blog

Analysis of the latest Home Office rule changes, parliamentary debates and legal developments.

View all blog posts →

By Visa Route

ILR Calculator by Visa Type

Select your visa route below to jump straight to the right calculator. Each route has different qualifying periods, absence limits and evidential requirements.

Skilled Worker / Tier 2

ILR Calculator — Skilled Worker & Tier 2

Check your 5-year qualifying period, 180-day absence test and earliest application date under the Skilled Worker or former Tier 2 route. Route guide →

Open Skilled Worker Calculator →
Spouse / Partner Visa

ILR Calculator — Spouse & Partner Route

Calculate your ILR eligibility date on the spouse or partner visa route. Includes financial requirement check (£29,000 salary threshold). Spouse guide →

Open Spouse Calculator →
BNO Visa (Hong Kong)

ILR Calculator — BNO Visa Route

Get your ILR qualifying date under the Hong Kong BNO pathway. 5-year route with 180-day absence limit. BNO guide →

Open BNO Calculator →
10-Year Long Residence

ILR Calculator — 10-Year Route

Check your continuous residence period for the 10-year Long Residence ILR route. 10-year rule guide →

Open Long Residence Calculator →

Understanding ILR

What Is an ILR Calculator — and Why Do You Need One?

An ILR Calculator (Indefinite Leave to Remain Calculator) helps you work out the exact date you become eligible to apply for permanent residency in the UK. Instead of trying to count days manually or guess whether you've exceeded the 180-day absence limit, the calculator does all the hard work for you — instantly.

Indefinite Leave to Remain — commonly called ILR or permanent residency — is the immigration status that allows you to live and work in the UK without any time restriction on your visa. Once you have ILR, you no longer need a visa to stay, and you can eventually apply for British citizenship.

Most people need to have lived and worked lawfully in the UK for a set period — usually 5 years — before they can apply. But the rules around counting absences, rolling 12-month windows, and the 28-day application window are genuinely complex. That's why an ILR calculator is so useful: it removes the guesswork and tells you exactly where you stand.

What ILR Gives You
🏠
Right to Live in the UK Permanently
No time limit on your stay — you can live and work in the UK indefinitely
💼
Work for Any Employer
No sponsorship required — change jobs freely, become self-employed, or start a business
🎓
Access to Public Funds
Eligible for benefits, NHS care, and social housing on the same basis as British citizens
🛂
Path to British Citizenship
Apply for naturalisation after 12 months of holding ILR (or immediately if married to a British citizen)

Step by Step

How to Use the ILR Calculator

Using this ILR calculator takes less than a minute. Here's exactly what to do:

1

Enter Your Start Date

Put in the date your qualifying period began. For Skilled Worker, this is usually the date your first leave to remain was granted.

2

Choose Your Route

Select your qualifying period — 5 years for Skilled Worker, BNO, Spouse; 10 years for Long Residence; 3 years for some partner routes.

3

Add Your Absences

Click "+ Add absence" for each trip outside the UK. Enter the departure and return dates. Add as many trips as you need.

4

Get Your Results

Hit "Calculate ILR Dates" and instantly see your qualifying end date, the earliest date you can apply, total absence days, and whether you pass the 180-day rolling test.

💡
Pro tip: Use your travel history from your passport or bank statements

For the most accurate result, go through your passport stamps or check your travel history on the GOV.UK travel history service. Even one missed absence can affect your 180-day calculation. The calculator merges overlapping trips automatically, so don't worry about getting the order perfect.

Settlement Routes

ILR Routes Explained — Which One Applies to You?

The UK has several paths to Indefinite Leave to Remain. Your qualifying period, absence limits, and evidential requirements depend entirely on which route you're on. Here's a plain-English breakdown of the main ILR routes in 2026.

ILR Route Qualifying Period Max Absences Key Requirement 2026 Status
🔵 Skilled Worker / Tier 2 5 years 180 days / rolling year Active sponsorship throughout 🚨 10yr rule Autumn 2026
💛 Spouse / Partner Visa 5 years 180 days / rolling year £29,000 salary threshold ✔ Currently stable
🟢 BNO Visa (Hong Kong) 5 years 180 days / rolling year BNO passport holder ✔ Currently stable
🔴 Long Residence (10yr) 10 years 540 days total Continuous lawful residence ⚠ Under review
🇪🇺 EU Pre-settled Status 5 years Up to 6 months per year EU/EEA/Swiss citizen ✔ Currently stable
🚀 Innovator Founder 3 years 180 days / rolling year Active business endorsement ✔ Currently stable
🚨
Confirmed: Earned Settlement Reforms Coming Autumn 2026 — 5-Year Route Still In Force Now

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed on 1 March 2026 that the standard ILR qualifying period will increase from 5 to 10 years under a new "earned settlement" model — and will apply to people already in the UK who don't yet have ILR. Implementation is targeted for Autumn 2026. As of April 2026, no new Immigration Rules have been laid — the 5-year route is still fully operative. If you qualify now or will before Autumn 2026, act promptly. Read the 2026 deadline action guide →

The Rules

The 3 Key ILR Rules Everyone Gets Wrong

These are the rules that catch most applicants out. Understanding them before you apply could save your application.

180

The 180-Day Rolling Absence Rule

You cannot spend more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month window during your qualifying period. The common mistake? People think this is a calendar year (Jan–Dec). It isn't — the Home Office checks every possible 12-month window. So if you were away for 100 days in November–January, and another 100 days the following July–September, that second overlapping window could fail the test even though neither individual year looks over the limit.

Full 180-day rule explanation →
28

The 28-Day Early Application Window

You're allowed to submit your ILR application up to 28 days before your qualifying period actually ends — without losing any of your qualifying time. This is incredibly useful for planning: you can book your biometrics appointment, get your documents together, and submit everything before your visa actually expires. Miss this window and you may have to wait until the exact qualifying date to apply.

How to use the 28-day window →
+1

Departure Day Counts as an Absence Day

Both the day you leave the UK and the day you return count as absence days. So a trip from Monday to Friday is not 4 days — it's 5 days (Monday departure + Tuesday + Wednesday + Thursday + Friday return). This "+1" rule catches a lot of people out when they're manually counting their absences and think they're safely under 180 days when they're actually at or over the limit.

How absence days are counted →

Am I Ready?

ILR Eligibility Checklist — What You Need to Apply

The ILR calculator tells you whether your dates and absences qualify, but that's only part of the picture. Here's everything you need to have in place before you apply.

✔ Core Requirements

✓
Qualifying period completed
Usually 5 years of continuous lawful residence (10 years for Long Residence route)
✓
180-day absence test passed
No single 12-month window with more than 180 days outside the UK
✓
Life in the UK test passed
Required for most applicants aged 18–64. Book via UKVI's official site
✓
English language B1 level or above
Acceptable via an approved test (e.g., IELTS, Trinity SELT) or a UK degree taught in English
✓
Good character requirement
No serious criminal convictions, immigration violations, or outstanding debts to the Home Office

📄 Documents You'll Need

›
Valid passport(s) covering your entire qualifying period
Including any old passports — these contain entry/exit stamps needed to verify absences
›
Payslips or P60s (Skilled Worker route)
Usually last 12 months of payslips, or your most recent P60 to confirm continuous employment
›
English language test certificate
Must be from an approved provider. Make sure it was taken within 2 years of your application
›
Life in the UK test pass notification
Keep the original — you'll need to supply the test reference number in your application
›
BRP (Biometric Residence Permit)
Your current BRP and any previous BRPs if available, as evidence of lawful leave to remain

Remember: Meeting the qualifying period and absence requirements (which this ILR calculator checks) is only one part of the assessment. The Home Office also requires the Life in the UK test, English language evidence, and a clean immigration and criminal record. This calculator is a planning aid — always verify your specific requirements on GOV.UK before applying.

Costs & Processing

How Much Does ILR Cost and How Long Does It Take?

Two of the most common questions from people planning their ILR application — answered plainly, with no jargon.

ILR Application Costs (from 8 April 2026)

Fees rose 6.5% on 8 April 2026. Each family member pays separately.

Standard ILR fee (per person) £3,226
Biometric enrolment fee £19.20
Super Priority (next working day) +£1,000
Life in the UK test £50
English language test (approx.) £150–£200

Processing Time (2026)

Standard Processing
~6 months
From the date of biometric enrolment. You can travel during this time on your existing leave.
Super Priority Service
Next working day
Decision by the end of the next working day after your biometrics appointment. Additional fee applies.
Priority Service
~5 working days
Faster than standard but cheaper than super priority. Not available for all routes.

Why ILRCalculator.com

Why Use This Free ILR Calculator?

There are plenty of immigration tools online, but most are either paywalled, oversimplified, or built for advisors rather than applicants. Here's what makes this calculator different.

🔓

Completely Free, No Login

No account needed, no email required, no subscription. All 11 calculators are free to use as many times as you like. Your data is never stored or transmitted.

🎯

Proper Rolling 12-Month Test

Most calculators just add up total days. This one checks every single 12-month window within your qualifying period — exactly how the Home Office assesses it.

📱

Works on Any Device

Whether you're on your phone, tablet, or laptop, the calculator works the same. No app to download, no slow loading — it all runs in your browser.

📖

Backed by Plain-English Guides

Every calculator links to a detailed guide explaining the underlying rules. So you don't just get a number — you understand why, and what to do if your result is a FAIL.

🔄

Updated for 2026 Rules

The calculators and guides are updated whenever the Home Office changes its rules or fees, including the proposed 2026 qualifying period changes and the latest salary thresholds.

⚖️

Transparent About Limitations

This tool is a planning aid, not a legal service. It clearly shows what it calculates and what it doesn't — so you know when to seek qualified immigration advice.

Common Questions

ILR Calculator FAQ — Your Questions Answered

Quick answers to the most common ILR questions — based on what thousands of UK visa holders ask every month.

You can submit your ILR application up to 28 days before your qualifying period ends — without losing any qualifying time. The calculator above shows your exact earliest application date automatically. Read the full 28-day early application guide for tips on using this window.
For most routes you must not exceed 180 days in any rolling 12-month window during your qualifying period. This is not a fixed calendar year — any consecutive 12-month period counts. Use the ILR Absence Calculator above to check your exact position automatically.
The 180-day rule checks every possible 12-month window within your qualifying period — not just calendar years. If any window contains more than 180 days outside the UK, your continuous residence is broken. Both your departure day and return day count as absences. See our detailed 180-day rolling absence test guide for worked examples.
Any whole day spent outside the UK counts as an absence — including both your departure day and the day you return. Overlapping trips are merged before totalling. Short layovers in transit do not count. See the absence calculator guide for full rules and worked examples.
The main ILR routes are: Skilled Worker (5 years), Family/Partner (5 years), Long Residence (10 years), BNO Visa (5 years), EU Settled Status conversion, and Innovator Founder (3 years). Each has different absence limits and evidential requirements. Read the settlement route eligibility guide to compare all routes side by side.
As of April 2026, the 5-year route remains fully in force — no new rules have been laid before Parliament yet. However, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed on 1 March 2026 that earned settlement reforms will proceed in Autumn 2026 and will apply retrospectively to people already in the UK without ILR. The consultation closed on 12 February 2026 with ~130,000 responses. Transitional arrangements remain undecided. If you qualify (or will qualify before Autumn 2026), applying now under current rules is strongly advisable. Read our 10-year ILR rule guide and 2026 deadline action guide.
Standard ILR processing is currently running at approximately 6 months from biometric enrolment. The Super Priority service (£1,000 extra) aims for a decision by end of the next working day. The Priority service (~£500 extra) targets around 5 working days. These are service aims, not guarantees — complex cases may take longer. Check the Home Office processing times guide for the latest figures.
From 8 April 2026, the standard ILR (SET(O)) fee is £3,226 per person, up from £3,029. Biometric enrolment is £19.20. Super Priority adds £1,000 (total: £4,226). Family members each pay the full fee — a family of four pays over £12,900 in Home Office fees alone. Use the Immigration Fee Calculator to estimate your total.
No — this is a planning aid only. Final decisions rest with the Home Office. Additional requirements include a Life in the UK test, English language at B1 level, good character requirement, and meeting the financial thresholds for your route. Always verify on GOV.UK.
You must hold ILR for at least 12 months before applying for naturalisation (unless married to a British citizen, in which case you can apply immediately after ILR). You must also have been physically present in the UK on the date 5 years before your application. Use the Citizenship Readiness Calculator to find your exact eligible date.
From April 2024, the minimum salary for a Skilled Worker visa is £38,700 per year (or the going rate for your occupation, whichever is higher). New entrants and certain shortage occupation roles have a lower threshold of £30,960. Use the UK Visa Points Calculator above to check whether your salary meets the 70-point threshold.
Time spent on a Student visa does not count towards the qualifying period for ILR on the Skilled Worker route. Your qualifying period starts from the date your Skilled Worker (or equivalent) leave was granted. If you switched from a Student visa to a Skilled Worker visa, use your Skilled Worker visa start date in the calculator. However, time on a Student visa can count towards the 10-year Long Residence route if it was lawful leave throughout.
Continuous residence can be broken by: spending more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month window; having a gap in lawful leave (e.g. your visa expired before a new one was granted, unless you were covered by Section 3C leave); or being deported or removed from the UK. A single long trip or several short trips that combine to exceed 180 days in a 12-month window are the most common reason ILR applications are refused. Use the Absence Calculator to check your exact position before applying.
No — this is an independent planning tool, not an official Home Office service. The Home Office does not provide a public-facing ILR eligibility calculator. This tool is built to mirror the rules published on GOV.UK, including the rolling 12-month window test and the 28-day early application rule. Always verify your result against the official guidance at GOV.UK and consider consulting a registered immigration adviser (OISC) if your situation is complex.
Ready to Apply?

Your ILR Journey — What to Do Next

You've checked your dates. Here are the most useful next steps depending on where you are in the process.

🧮
Run the Calculator
Check your qualifying date and absence test result
✈️
Check Absences
Understand how your travel history is assessed
🗺️
Find Your Route
Compare all ILR routes and their requirements
⏰
Beat the 2026 Deadline
Act now if you're close to qualifying under current rules
Written & reviewed by:
MD
Matteo Di Battista
Immigration Policy Analyst
AA
Anju Ambrose
UK Immigration Writer
Updated April 2026 · View all guides
Planning tool only — not legal advice. Always verify current rules on GOV.UK before submitting any application.