After five years' continuous residence as a Skilled Worker (or in the Tier 2 (General) route that preceded it, or a mix of qualifying work routes) you can apply for indefinite leave to remain. You apply from inside the UK, up to 28 days before you complete the five years.

What you must show

Five years' continuous lawful residence on qualifying work routes, with no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period.
You are still employed by your sponsor in the job your certificate of sponsorship describes, and your sponsor confirms they still need you.
Salary at or above the general threshold and the going rate for your occupation code at the date of application. The figures have changed more than once since 2024; we check the current threshold for your code before you apply.
Life in the UK test passed, and English at B1 or higher (or an exemption).
No suitability problems: no breaches of conditions, unpaid NHS debt or criminality that bars settlement.

Evidence

Your current and previous biometric permits or eVisa history; a letter from your sponsor confirming employment, salary and continuing need; payslips and bank statements covering the recent period; passports and a travel history showing absences; Life in the UK pass notification; English evidence. Absences are the most common problem, so we calculate them for every rolling 12-month period, not just the calendar years.

This is not a complete list. What you need depends on your circumstances, and the documents vary from case to case. Your solicitor will tell you exactly what applies to you.

If you changed employer or role

Time with different sponsors counts as long as each period was lawful and your leave was continuous. A gap between jobs of more than 60 days, or time without leave, can break continuity; tell us and we will check.

After ILR

Twelve months after settlement you can apply for British citizenship. Your dependants apply for ILR with you or afterwards on their own timeline; we handle the family together.

Rules that are changing

A higher English level, B2, has been announced for settlement applications made on or after 26 March 2027 on most routes, and the government has proposed an "earned settlement" system with a ten-year baseline. As at 13 October 2026 that is a proposal, not a rule. If you are close to qualifying, apply as soon as you are eligible; we check the position on the day.

Fees and timing

Home Office fee £3,226 per person, correct on 13 October 2026. A super priority decision costs £1,000 more. Standard decisions usually arrive within six months. Our fixed fee is quoted before you instruct us; see our fees.