Permanent residence in the UK | Primus Solicitors

How to get permanent residence in the UK

Last updated 14 October 2026

The UK does not use the term "permanent residence" for most people any more. What people mean by it is indefinite leave to remain (ILR), or settled status for EU citizens and their families under the EU Settlement Scheme. Both let you live in the UK without time limit and lead to citizenship.

The main routes to settlement

Route	Usual time to settlement
Partner of a British or settled person (five-year route)	5 years
Partner or parent on the ten-year route	10 years
Skilled Worker and most sponsored work routes	5 years
Global Talent, Innovator Founder	3 or 5 years
Long residence (any lawful leave)	10 years
Private life (children, young adults, 20 years)	5 or 10 years
Refugee or humanitarian protection	5 years
EU Settlement Scheme	5 years' residence

Visit, Student, Graduate, Youth Mobility and most temporary work visas do not lead to settlement on their own.

Common requirements

Continuous residence within the absence limits for your route, the Life in the UK test, English at B1 or higher (B2 announced for applications from 26 March 2027 on most routes), no suitability problems, and for some routes continuing to meet the route's own rules (salary, relationship).

Proposed changes

The government has proposed an "earned settlement" system with a ten-year baseline for most routes. As at 13 October 2026 it is a proposal, not a rule. If you are close to qualifying under the current rules, apply as soon as you are eligible.

Settlement and citizenship

Settlement is lost after two years' continuous absence and can be revoked for serious criminality; citizenship cannot be lost in those ways. Most people apply for citizenship twelve months after settlement.