Indefinite leave to remain
This is the one that ends the visa cycle. No more extensions, no more fees every few years. It is also the one where people cut corners: one miscounted absence, one gap in permission you did not notice, and years of qualifying residence walk out the door. We count every trip, every stamp, every receipt.
Is this you?
People completing the qualifying period on a work route, a partner route or another route that leads to settlement. Partners on the five-year family route. Former residents whose indefinite leave lapsed after time abroad (returning residents).
What we do for you
- Confirm your qualifying date under the rules that apply to your route now
- Count absences trip by trip against passports and travel records
- Check continuous residence and permission gaps
- Confirm English and Life in the UK
- Prepare the application and any explanations
- Submit, then plan citizenship with you
What we check before anything is submitted
- Every absence from the UK during the qualifying period
- Gaps between grants and whether they were covered
- Employment, salary or relationship evidence for your route
- Life in the UK and English
- Any criminal record, debts to the NHS or other issues that affect suitability
The fee, the timescale and who does the work
£1,400 to £2,200 plus VAT; returning residents £1,400 to £2,000 plus VAT.
Your exact fixed fee is confirmed before you instruct us and agreed in writing before any chargeable work starts. Home Office fees and the health surcharge are paid separately; see the Fees page for the full list.
Our fee covers taking your instructions, assessing eligibility, telling you what evidence is needed and reviewing it, preparing and drafting the application and any representations, submitting it, dealing with Home Office requests for information, and advising you on the decision.
Typical timescale. Usually up to 6 months; priority services are available for some routes.
Who handles it. A named, Law Society accredited caseworker runs your matter from the first call to the decision, supervised by a solicitor who signs off the application.
Questions we hear every week
I was abroad a lot; am I still eligible?
Possibly; the limits differ by route and there are exceptions. We count it with you.
Have the qualifying rules changed?
They are changing; the latest is in News, and we apply the rules in force for you.
Can my children apply with me?
Often yes, at the same time.
Settlement ends the visa cycle for good. Citizenship ends the question.
Start with a consultation.
45 minutes with a solicitor, by Teams or phone, with a written summary afterwards. Not ready yet? A free 5-minute check tells you whether we can help and what it would cost.