Planning Your ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) Application
Prepare early for ILR by understanding the rules, documents and fees for your route.
Last updated: 10.05.2026
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1. Check the qualifying period for ILR
Different routes need different numbers of years before you can ask for long term stay. Some are 2 or 3 years, others are 5 or more.
What to do: Read the GOV.UK long term stay page and simple timelines from WithRowan to see how many years your route normally needs. Compare this with your own history and write down the earliest year you might qualify.
What do you need: You need your visa type, start date, any gaps in stay and access to official guidance.
Outcomes: You will know roughly when you can plan to apply for long term stay if everything else is in order.
Lifehack: Mark this target year in your long term plan so you remember to start preparing in good time.
2. Plan for ILR application fees and extra costs
3. Gather long-term residence and work evidence
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