Life in the UK Test Questions: What to Expect and How to Study
The Life in the UK test is 24 questions, 45 minutes, £50, and you need 75% to pass. Here's what's actually tested and the best way to prepare.
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All articles about UK Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Guide.
When Can I Apply for ILR? How to Calculate Your Qualifying Date
You can apply for ILR up to 28 days before your qualifying anniversary. Applying even one day early means automatic refusal and no fee refund. Here's how to get the date right.
How to Prepare for ILR When Your Qualifying Period Straddles the April 2024 Rule Change
If your ILR qualifying period spans before and after April 2024, two different absence rules apply. Here's how to audit your travel history under both regimes.
Best ILR Preparation Tool for Skilled Workers Applying Without a Solicitor
The best ILR preparation for Skilled Workers doing it themselves covers rolling absence audits, salary threshold verification, and employer letter templates. Here's what to look for.
ILR Guide vs Immigration Solicitor: Which Do You Actually Need?
Comparing a self-preparation ILR guide against hiring an immigration solicitor for settlement. Here's when each option makes sense and when you're overpaying.
ILR Benefits and Rights: What Changes When You Get Indefinite Leave to Remain
ILR gives you the right to work, live, and study without restrictions. But it can lapse if you stay abroad too long. Here's what ILR actually gives you — and what it doesn't.
Best ILR Guide for Families: How to Prepare a Settlement Application for a Family of Four
ILR for a family of four can cost over £12,000 in fees alone. Here's how to prepare a family settlement application without paying thousands more in solicitor fees.
Alternatives to Hiring an Immigration Solicitor for ILR
You don't need a £2,000+ solicitor for a straightforward ILR application. Here are the alternatives — from free resources to structured guides to checking services.
Section 3C Leave UK: What It Means for Your Right to Work and ILR
Section 3C leave protects your right to work when an in-time visa application is pending or under challenge. Here's how it works and what you can and can't do.
SET(O) and SET(M) Forms: Which ILR Form Do You Need?
Using the wrong ILR form means an invalid application and no refund. Here's which SET form applies to your route and what each one requires.
ILR Good Character Requirement: What It Covers and How to Prepare
The ILR good character requirement goes beyond criminal records. HMRC discrepancies, NHS debt, and past immigration breaches all affect your ILR good character assessment.
ILR Application Fee UK: What Settlement Actually Costs in 2026
ILR costs £3,226 per person from April 2026. Here's the full cost breakdown including optional services, family applications, and what's not refundable.
ILR 180-Day Rule: How the Absence Calculator Works
The ILR 180-day rule uses a rolling 12-month window, not a calendar year. Here's how the calculation works and why it catches so many applicants out.
ILR 10-Year Route: Long Residence Requirements and How It Works
The ILR 10-year long residence route requires continuous lawful residence for a decade. Here's the hybrid absence rule, evidence requirements, and key pitfalls.
ILR Salary Threshold: What Skilled Workers Need to Earn in 2026
ILR salary thresholds vary by when you were sponsored. Three cohorts apply in 2026: £31,300, £38,700, or £41,700 — plus the going rate for your SOC code.
ILR Refusal Reasons UK: Why Applications Get Rejected and What to Do
ILR refusals are preventable in most cases. Here are the most common reasons Home Office caseworkers refuse settlement applications in 2026, and how to avoid them.
ILR Processing Time: Standard, Priority, and Super Priority Service
Standard ILR takes around 8 weeks. Priority delivers in 5 working days. Super priority aims for next-day. Here's how each service works and whether it's worth it.
ILR Documents Checklist 2026: What You Need for Each Route
Complete ILR documents checklist for 2026: Skilled Worker, Long Residence, and Partner routes. Covers bank statements, cover letters, BRP/eVisa, and more.
ILR Employer Letter: What It Must Say and Why Most Fail
The ILR employer letter is one of the most common reasons for Skilled Worker refusals. Here's exactly what the letter must include and the wording that's mandatory.
ILR on the BN(O) Visa Route: How Hong Kong Residents Settle in the UK
BN(O) visa holders can apply for ILR after 5 years of residence in the UK. Here's how the route works, what counts toward the qualifying period, and what to prepare.