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.
Practical ILR and settlement guides: September 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.
September 2026: ILR fee rose to £3,226 (8 Apr). Earned settlement (5 to 10 yr) proposed, targeted for Autumn 2026; 5-year route still in force now. Apply before it changes
Is the 5-Year ILR Route Changing to 10 Years?
September 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.
ILR guideB2 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.
ILR guideSkilled 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.
Action guideApply 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 guideILR 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.
ILR guideContinuous Residence Guide
What continuous residence means, what breaks it, Section 3C leave explained, and how to document your qualifying period for the Home Office.
ILR guideSettlement 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.
ILR guideUK Visa Points Calculator Guide
Mandatory and tradeable points, £41,700 standard / £33,400 new entrant salary thresholds, and the new per-period salary compliance rule from April 2026.
ILR guideSpouse & 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 guideBNO 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.
ILR guideEU 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.
ILR guideIncome & 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.
ILR guideBritish 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 guideILR 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+.
ILR guide180-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.
ILR guideApplying 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.
Rule changeThe 10-Year ILR Rule: Proposed for Autumn 2026
Proposed 5 to 10 year change: the Home Secretary said on 1 March 2026 it is targeted for Autumn 2026 and intended to apply retrospectively. 5-year route still in force now. Full breakdown of what earned settlement means.
Fee changesHome 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.