Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

Indefinite leave to remain definition

What does Indefinite leave to remain mean? In legal practice, indefinite leave to remain (ILR) is the UK immigration status that allows a person to live, work and study in the UK without any time limit; it is commonly called settlement. The expression is defined in legislation as leave to enter or remain that is not limited as to duration (Immigration Act 1971, s 33(1)). ILR is normally granted in-country by the Home Office (UKVI); the equivalent granted before entry is indefinite leave to enter (ILE). Both amount to settled status under the Immigration Rules. Key features and significance: no time limit or conditions on employment or...

Tier 2 (General) ILR: 10-year Residence; Tier 1 PSW; PBS Dependant

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Long residence and private life resources—overview

The ten-year long residence route set out in the immigration rules, Part 7, does not allow dependants to submit applications alongside the principal applicant. This means joint filing is not available under this route. Dependants may, however, apply independently where they satisfy the criteria of the relevant rule. By way of illustration, if a husband and wife have each been lawfully present in the UK for ten continuous years, they must each file their own separate applications under the long residence provisions. See Immigration Rules, Part 7, para 276B–276C. When a Tier 2 (General) migrant secures indefinite leave to remain (ILR) through the long residence rules, their spouse may have scope to seek leave to remain as the spouse of a settled person under Immigration Rules, Appendix FM (see Practice Note: Partners applying for limited leave to remain under Appendix FM: eligibility tables)...

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Web page updated on 27/05/2026

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