ILR Eligibility Calculator — Find Your Settlement Route (Skilled Worker, Spouse, BNO)
There are multiple routes to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). This guide helps you compare Skilled Worker, family, long residence, BNO and other pathways so you can choose the one that best fits your circumstances — then check ILR eligibility for timelines and absence rules.
Which route suits you?
Common settlement routes include:
Check your UK ILR route and eligibility
Verify your visa category rules, qualifying years, and requirements instantly.
- Skilled Worker — points-based, employer-sponsored option that relies on a Certificate of Sponsorship and salary thresholds.
- Family (partner/spouse) — based on relationship evidence and meeting financial requirements.
- Long residence — for people with 10 years’ lawful residence (or other long residence grounds).
- BNO / specific schemes — routes such as the Hong Kong BNO visa may have route-specific timelines.
How to compare routes
- Check the qualifying period length and whether your current leave contributes.
- Review documentary and financial evidence requirements for each route.
- Test your eligibility using the calculators (points, absence, and timelines) on the homepage.
One authoritative reference
For detailed descriptions of each route, including eligibility rules and required evidence, consult the official Home Office guidance on GOV.UK. GOV.UK — visas and immigration overview
Calculate your 5-year continuous residence
Track your qualifying years and ensure you meet UK continuous residence rules.
Practical example: Skilled Worker vs Partner route
Skilled Worker applicants must secure a sponsor and meet the points matrix (job, skill level, salary, English). Partner route applicants must demonstrate a genuine relationship, meet financial thresholds and meet residence requirements. Which is faster depends on your situation — use the Visa Points Calculator Guide if you’re assessing a sponsored role, or the Income & Financial Requirements guide for family routes.
Checklist before you pick a route
- Confirm whether your current visa time counts towards settlement on the desired route.
- List the documentary evidence required (CoS, payslips, relationship proof) and gaps you must fill.
- Estimate costs using our Fees guide.
- Model absence and qualifying dates with the ILR eligibility tool.
Related guides
- Absence Calculator Guide — counting absences & the 180-day test
- Continuous Residence Guide — 5 and 10 year rules explained
- Income & Financial Requirements guide
FAQs
Which route is quickest to settlement?
It depends. For many, the Skilled Worker or partner routes take around five years; long residence and certain schemes may require longer. Model scenarios with the ILR calculator to confirm.
Can I switch routes while in the UK?
Often yes, but switching can affect continuous residence and qualifying time. Always check the implications before switching; consult the Continuous Residence Guide for details.
Do I need legal advice to choose a route?
For complex cases (multiple visas, gaps, sponsored roles), professional immigration advice is recommended.
Updated: 7 June 2026 — compare routes carefully, prepare evidence, and check ILR eligibility to confirm your timeline.
Comparing the Five Main Routes to Settlement
Indefinite Leave to Remain is available through several immigration pathways, each with its own qualifying criteria and residency timelines. The five most common routes are:
- Skilled Worker Route (5 Years): For sponsored workers. Requires continuous sponsored employment and meeting minimum salary thresholds.
- Spouse / Partner Route (5 Years): For partners of British citizens or settled residents. Requires meeting financial and cohabitation requirements.
- Long Residence Route (10 Years): For applicants who have lived in the UK legally for 10 years under various visa categories.
- BNO Visa Route (5 Years): For British National (Overseas) citizens from Hong Kong. Offers a protected pathway to settlement.
- EU Settlement Scheme (5 Years): For EU citizens who arrived before Brexit, transitioning from pre-settled to settled status.
Summary of Key Settlement Pathways
To clarify your choices, here is a detailed checklist of how requirements differ across routes:
| Visa Route | Qualifying Years | Key Core Requirement | Financial Test |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | 5 Years | Continuous employment with licensed sponsor | £38,700 or SOC code going rate minimum |
| Spouse / Partner | 5 Years | Continuous genuine relationship and cohabitation | £29,000 household income minimum |
| BNO Visa | 5 Years | Residence in the UK and funds for maintenance | Adequate support without public funds |
| 10-Year Long Residence | 10 Years | Lawful residence under any legal UK visas | No salary minimums or sponsorship required |
| Global Talent | 3 or 5 Years | Endorsement from Royal Society, Tech Nation, etc. | Exempt from sponsor-defined thresholds |
Continuous Residency and Absence Rules
All standard routes to ILR require meeting continuous residence rules. For most pathways, this means you must not have been absent from the UK for more than **180 days in any rolling 12-month period** during your qualifying years.
The EU Settlement Scheme uses a different limit of no more than **6 months in any 12-month period**, which is assessed slightly differently. Under all routes, continuous residence is broken immediately by prison sentences, deportation orders, or gaps in visa coverage (subject to overstaying rules).
English Language and Life in the UK Tests
Before you can apply for settlement, most adult applicants aged 18 to 64 must satisfy the knowledge of language and life in the UK requirements. This involves:
- Life in the UK Test: A 45-minute computer-based test on British history, culture, and government. You must score 75% or higher to pass.
- English Language Requirement: Prove your English skills at B1 level or higher on the CEFR scale. You can satisfy this by passing an approved SELT test or holding a degree taught in English.
B2 English mandatory from March 2027 — are you ready?
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Start Free TestFinancial & Income Requirements per Route
Financial requirements differ significantly depending on your visa route. Skilled Workers must meet the SOC code going rate and standard minimums (£38,700 standard, or transitional rates).
Spouse visa applicants must meet the family financial threshold (£29,000, or £18,600 if under transitional rules). Long Residence applicants are exempt from salary minimums, but must show they can support themselves without public funds.
Settlement Eligibility Checklist
To confirm your readiness for ILR:
- Clock Calculation: Verify the exact start date of your qualifying period and confirm you have completed the required years.
- Pass Certificates: Ensure you have the physical or digital pass codes for both the Life in the UK test and B1 English.
- Financial Check: Gather 6 months of payslips and bank statements to prove you meet your route's financial thresholds.
- Absence verification: Run a detailed audit of all trips abroad to verify no rolling 12-month block exceeds 180 days.
- Cover Letter: Prepare a cover letter outlining your route, visa history, and how you satisfy each eligibility criteria.