Documents needed for indefinite leave to remain in the UK

The documents you need for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK depend on the route you are applying under, but every application requires proof of identity, biometric information, and evidence that you meet the specific eligibility conditions of your category. There is no single document checklist that covers all ILR applications, so you must check the requirements for your particular route before you apply. The fee is £3,226 for most routes, though some categories are exempt, and you must not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man while your application is pending.

What ILR is and what it gives you

Indefinite leave to remain is how you settle in the UK. It is also called ‘settlement’. It gives you the right to live, work and study in the UK for as long as you like, and to apply for benefits if you are eligible. You can use it to apply for British citizenship, usually after a minimum of 12 months.

The documents you need will therefore be assessed against two things: whether you qualify for settlement at all, and whether you can prove the specific facts your route requires.

Documents required for a UK Ancestry visa holder applying for ILR

If you have spent 5 continuous years in the UK on a UK Ancestry visa, you may be able to apply for ILR. In most cases you must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 month period. If you think you are affected by this rule, you need to check how to calculate your time in the UK (‘continuous residence’).

You must prove that you:

• have enough money to support yourself and your dependants
• can, and plan to, work in the UK
• are still a Commonwealth citizen

If you are aged 18 to 64, you will also need to meet the English language requirements and book and pass the Life in the UK Test. The earliest you can apply is 28 days before you have been in the UK for 5 years on your Ancestry visa; applying earlier may lead to refusal. Do not wait until your current visa expires — if it expires before you can apply for ILR, you will need to renew it first.

Documents required for refugees, humanitarian protection, discretionary and section 67 leave

If you have protection status (permission to stay as a refugee or person with humanitarian protection), discretionary leave, or section 67 leave, you may be able to apply for ILR. The documents you need will relate to proving that status and your identity. There is no fee if you have protection status or section 67 leave, and this also applies to your partner or child. If you have discretionary leave, it costs £3,226 for you and each other person you include in your application.

If your application is refused, your decision letter will explain what you have been offered instead of ILR if you have protection status or discretionary leave. If you have section 67 leave, you will need to apply for another form of leave to stay in the UK.

Documents for dependants included in your ILR application

Your partner and children can be included in your ILR application if they are eligible. You will need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply.

For a partner, you must prove one of the following:

• you are in a civil partnership or marriage that is recognised in the UK
• you have been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply
• you have been in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply and you cannot live together — for example because it is illegal in your country

If you are not living together, you will need to prove that you have an ongoing commitment to each other, for example by providing evidence that you communicate regularly, support each other financially, care for any children you have together, and spend time together as a couple.

For a child, they must live with you (unless they are in full-time education at boarding school, college or university), not be married or in a civil partnership, and be supported by you without using public funds. Children aged 18 or over can only be included if they are currently a dependant on your or your partner’s visa, were under 18 when they got permission to be in the UK as your dependant, and still do not live an independent life. They must also book and pass the Life in the UK Test and meet the English language requirements.

Dependants cannot apply for ILR if they are currently in the UK on a visitor visa, a Short-term study visa, a Parent of a Child Student visa, a Seasonal Worker visa, a Domestic Workers in a Private Household visa, on immigration bail, or because they were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules. In those cases, they must leave the UK and apply for a UK Ancestry visa as a dependant instead.

Fees, biometrics and decision times

The standard ILR fee is £3,226 for each person applying. You will each need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken — there is no fee for this. Children aged 6 or over must provide biometric information if you are applying for them on your form.

Route	Fee	Standard decision time	Super priority available
UK Ancestry visa holder	£3,226 per person	Usually within 6 months	Yes, extra £1,000
Protection status (refugee or humanitarian protection)	No fee	Within 6 months	No
Section 67 leave	No fee	Within 6 months	No
Discretionary leave	£3,226 per person	Within 6 months	Yes, decision within 2 working days

If you use the super priority service on a UK Ancestry application, it costs an extra £1,000 to get a decision by the end of the next working day after providing your biometric information if your appointment is on a weekday, or 2 working days after providing your biometric information if your appointment is at the weekend. Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

What to do next and what to verify

Before you apply, check the eligibility requirements for your specific route on the official GOV.UK page for that route. The documents you need will depend on whether you are applying as a UK Ancestry visa holder, a refugee or person with humanitarian protection, someone with discretionary leave, or someone with section 67 leave. If you are including dependants, check their eligibility carefully and prepare evidence of your relationship.

You must apply online and be in the UK to apply. You will be asked to make an appointment at a UKVCAS service point to provide your biometric information, and you will need to submit your supporting documents either by uploading them into the online service or having them scanned at your appointment. If your circumstances are complex, your application may take longer than the standard decision time.

Verify the current fee, the exact evidence requirements for your route, and the processing times on the official GOV.UK page for your category before you submit. The rules can change, and the official page is the only reliable source for the figures that apply to your application.