🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Permanent Residency
Permanent residency and golden-visa paths: eligibility, required years, investment thresholds, and official checklists.
Quick answer
The UK equivalent of permanent residence is Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), usually available after five years on a qualifying visa (e.g. Skilled Worker), meeting residence, English and Life in the UK test requirements. ILR allows living and working without time limit.
Permanent residence in the UK is called Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), or "settlement". You usually qualify after a continuous qualifying period — most commonly five years on an eligible work or family route (shorter for some routes such as Global Talent) — and must meet residence, English-language and Life in the UK test requirements. Note the government has consulted on lengthening the standard qualifying period, so verify the current rule on GOV.UK.
- Most routes require five years' continuous, lawful residence; some (e.g. Global Talent, Innovator Founder) can qualify in three.
- You usually must pass the Life in the UK test, meet an English-language requirement and not exceed permitted absences.
- EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and their family may instead use the EU Settlement Scheme.
- The qualifying period and rules are under review (a 2025–26 consultation proposed up to ten years) — confirm the current requirement on GOV.UK before applying.
Official authorities
- Indefinite leave to remain (GOV.UK)
Official guide to checking if you can settle and how to apply.
- Live permanently in the UK (GOV.UK)
Settlement routes by category.
Frequently asked questions
What is Indefinite Leave to Remain?
ILR (settlement) lets you live, work and study in the UK without immigration time limits, usually after five years on a qualifying route.
What are the main requirements?
A qualifying visa history (commonly five years), limited absences, and passing the Life in the UK test and English requirement.
Can ILR be lost?
Yes — ILR can lapse if you spend too long outside the UK (generally over two years).
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- UK Government (GOV.UK) — UK's unified government services portal — visas, taxes, driving licences, benefits and more
- UK Visas and Immigration — UK visa applications, Biometric Residence Permits (BRP), and work authorization
- HM Revenue & Customs — Self Assessment tax returns, National Insurance, VAT registration and payment