ILR Rules & Guides
Plain-English guides to every ILR rule — absence counting, qualifying periods, salary thresholds, routes and fees. All updated for the April 2026 fee changes and the proposed Autumn 2026 earned settlement reforms.
All Guides
Practical ILR & Settlement Guides — June 2026
All guides updated with the latest 2026 fee changes (ILR now £3,226), earned settlement proposals, and the confirmed B2 English requirement from March 2027. Click any guide to read in full.
Is the 5-Year ILR Route Changing to 10 Years?
June 2026 update: earned settlement is not yet law and the 5-year route is still in force. What the reform means, who it affects, and whether to apply now.
B2 English Requirement for ILR — Do You Need a New Test?
B1 to B2 rise confirmed from 26 March 2027. Approved SELT providers, comparison table (B1 vs B2), who is exempt, and action plan based on your ILR qualifying date.
Skilled Worker Per-Pay-Period Salary Rule (SW 14.3B)
In force 8 April 2026. Monthly minimum tables by payroll frequency, which structures fail (commission, bonuses, maternity), payslip checklist, and the new suspended sentence rule.
Apply for ILR Before the 2026 Deadline — Complete Action Guide
Step-by-step: who qualifies now, the old vs new system comparison, full document checklist, and exactly how to apply before earned settlement rules take effect in Autumn 2026.
ILR Absence Calculator Guide
How the 180-day rolling test works, inclusive day counting, merging overlapping trips, and how to get your travel history from the Home Office.
Continuous Residence Guide
What continuous residence means, what breaks it, Section 3C leave explained, and how to document your qualifying period for the Home Office.
Settlement Route Eligibility Guide
Compare all ILR routes: Skilled Worker, Spouse/Partner, BNO, Long Residence, EU Settled Status — qualifying periods, absence limits, and 2026 status for each.
UK Visa Points Calculator Guide
Mandatory and tradeable points, £38,700 standard / £30,960 new entrant salary thresholds, and the new per-period salary compliance rule from April 2026.
Spouse & Partner Visa Timeline Guide
£29,000 income threshold, the 5-year route timeline, genuine relationship evidence, and why spouse/partner applicants may be protected from the 10-year change.
BNO Visa Settlement Guide
The BNO 5-year route to ILR, 180-day absence rules, £3,226 fee, dependant applications, and why BNO holders appear likely to be exempt from the 10-year change.
EU Settled Status to ILR Guide
How to upgrade from Pre-Settled to Settled Status, the 5-year residence requirement, Withdrawal Agreement protections, and the eVisa transition for EUSS holders.
Income & Financial Requirements Guide
The £29,000 income threshold for spouse/partner route, savings alternatives, acceptable evidence, and the proposed £12,570 earning requirement under earned settlement.
British Citizenship Readiness Guide
The 12-month wait after ILR, absence rules for citizenship, the £1,709 naturalisation fee (Apr 2026), and how the 10-year ILR change doubles the timeline to citizenship.
ILR Application Fees Guide — 2026
Complete breakdown of fees from 8 April 2026: ILR £3,226, biometrics £19.20, Life in UK test £50, B1 English test £150–200. Family of 4 costs £12,900+.
180-Day Rolling Absence Test — Full Guide
Three worked scenarios (PASS, FAIL, straddle trap), how the Home Office actually checks every window, and what to do if you fail the test.
Applying for ILR 28 Days Early
Why the 28-day window exists, how to calculate your earliest application date, what happens if you apply too early or too late, and the biometrics booking process.
The 10-Year ILR Rule — Confirmed for Autumn 2026
Home Secretary confirmed 1 March 2026: 5→10 year change proceeds in Autumn 2026, applies retrospectively. 5-year route still in force now. Full breakdown of what earned settlement means.
Home Office Fee Changes — April 2026
ILR rose to £3,226 (was £3,029) on 8 Apr 2026. Full before/after table: ILR, LTR extensions, citizenship, child registration. Plus the salary per-period compliance change.