Does indefinite leave to remain mean citizenship?
John Thompson
Published Feb 11, 2026
With Indefinite Leave to Remain you retain your nationality. All that Indefinite Leave to Remain Immigration status provides is permission to live and work in the UK on an unlimited time basis. The status of a person with Indefinite Leave to Remain is a mid-way point.
What are the rules for indefinite leave to remain?
In most cases, to qualify for indefinite leave to remain, you must have been continuously resident in the UK for at least 5 years prior to the date of your settled status application. To be ‘continuously resident’ you must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in a consecutive 12-month period.
Do you automatically get indefinite leave to remain?
You may have been given ILR automatically if you’re from the EU , Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Lichtenstein and you lived in the UK before 1973. If you do not have a document confirming your ILR status, you can either: apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to get settled or pre-settled status.
Can I apply for ILR 28 days before 5 years?
Can I apply ILR before 28 days? It is possible to submit your ILR application up to 28 days before the end of your qualifying period. If you apply earlier, you will not be eligible and your application is likely to be refused.
Can you be deported with indefinite leave to remain?
Revocation of ILR The ILR will be revoked where a person: is liable to deportation or administrative removal but cannot be deported or removed because of the UK’s obligations under the Refugee Convention or the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) (ILR is revoked);
How much does indefinite leave to remain cost?
A migrant applying for indefinite leave to remain in the UK has to pay £2,389. The cost to the Home Office of processing an ILR application is £243 — so the fee is set at ten times higher than the actual administrative cost.
How much does Indefinite Leave to Remain cost?
How long can you leave UK on Indefinite Leave to Remain?
How long is Indefinite Leave to Remain valid for? There is no time limit on Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, however it is important to note that you should not spend periods of more than two years outside the UK as this may lead to the loss of ILR.
How much does it cost to renew indefinite leave to remain?
You must apply online if you have indefinite leave to remain. It costs £229. You’ll get a decision within 6 months. If you want a faster decision you can pay an extra £800 for the super priority service.
What is the fee for indefinite leave to remain?
Is there a time limit for indefinite leave to remain?
While there is no time limit on indefinite leave to remain in the UK, there are certain circumstances that can result in ILR status being lost. One of the main risks to ILR is if you leave the UK for a continuous period of 2 or more years.
Can a US citizen apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK?
There are many strict requirements that US citizens must meet to be granted Indefinite Leave to Remain. These requirements differ depending on the type of visa held by the applicant. Usually, you will have needed to have lived in the UK for at least 5 years before becoming eligible for ILR.
What does indefinite leave to remain ( ILR ) mean?
Information about what it means to have indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK, also known as settlement. If you would like to find out how to apply for ILR please go to the application guidance to find out if you are eligible.
When does indefinite leave to remain lapse in the UK?
Your indefinite leave will lapse if you stay outside the UK for 2 or more years (5 or more, if granted settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme) at a time. To apply for citizenship, you must usually have been living in the UK for at least 12 months after being granted indefinite leave. There are also other requirements.