Settlement & British Citizenship
The last two steps — indefinite leave, then naturalisation as a British citizen.
What this covers
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
- Long residence applications
- Naturalisation and registration
- Life in the UK and English requirements
- Absence and continuous residence checks
Indefinite Leave to Remain
Most routes to ILR need five years of continuous lawful residence, though some need ten and a few need two. The qualifying period is where applications come unstuck: a gap between visas, or time spent outside the UK beyond the permitted allowance, can reset a clock you believed was nearly run.
Absences from the UK
Absence limits differ by route and are counted differently on each. Checking them before applying is far cheaper than a refusal, and it is the first thing we look at when someone asks whether they are ready.
Naturalisation
Citizenship is a separate application after ILR, with its own residence requirement, its own absence limits, and a good character assessment that reaches wider than most people expect.
This page is general information about a route, not advice on your case. Immigration Rules change frequently — take advice on your own circumstances before acting.