Permanent Residence in United Kingdom
2 documented routes of this kind in United Kingdom, each with its conditions, documents, official government fees and process.
EU Settlement Scheme (settled / pre-settled status)
Free scheme for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and family members resident in the UK by 31 December 2020. Settled status is effectively permanent residence.
- Processing time
- Varies; often within days to weeks
- Validity
- Pre-settled status (5 years) or settled status (indefinite)
- Language requirement
- No English requirement for the scheme itself
- Permanent residence
- Settled status after 5 years' continuous residence (effectively PR)
- Citizenship
- Naturalisation 12 months after settled status (subject to residence rules)
Requirements
- EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, or eligible family member
- Resident in the UK by 31 December 2020 (where required)
- Continuous residence for settled status (5 years)
Required Documents
- Identity document (passport or national ID), verified via the EU Exit ID Document Check app required
- Proof of residence where required
- Relationship evidence for family members
Official fees
- Application fee 0 GBP
Process Steps
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1
Apply online/app
Apply online or via the EU Exit app.
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2
Verify identity
Verify identity using the app or by sending documents.
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3
Provide residence evidence
Provide residence evidence if requested.
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4
Receive status
Receive pre-settled or settled status (digital).
Official Sources
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR / Settlement)
UK permanent residence, typically granted after 5 years' qualifying residence (3 for some routes), subject to the Life in the UK test and English requirement.
- Processing time
- Standard up to 6 months; priority and super-priority available
- Validity
- Indefinite (permanent residence)
- Language requirement
- English at the required level (not re-tested for Skilled Worker / Health and Care)
- Permanent residence
- Granted on approval
- Citizenship
- Naturalisation 12 months after ILR (waived if married to a British citizen)
Requirements
- Qualifying period of continuous residence (usually 5 years; 3 for some routes; 10-year long residence route also exists)
- No more than 180 days' absence in any 12-month period
- Pass the Life in the UK test (ages 18–64)
- Meet the English language requirement (where required)
Required Documents
- Passport / BRP / eVisa required
- Evidence of continuous residence and absences required
- Life in the UK test pass required
- English evidence where required
- Ongoing employment/salary evidence (work routes)
Official fees
- Application fee (most routes) 3,226 GBP
- Life in the UK test 50 GBP
Process Steps
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1
Confirm eligibility
Confirm eligibility and the qualifying period.
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2
Pass Life in the UK test
Pass the Life in the UK test.
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3
Apply online
Apply online (up to 28 days before completing the qualifying period).
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4
Pay fee
Pay the fee, with an optional priority service.
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5
Biometrics and documents
Provide biometrics and documents.
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6
Decision
Await the decision.