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Immigration

Settlement & Nationality

Settling in the UK for good, or confirming your right to be here, is the point where years of effort finally become permanent. We help you reach indefinite leave, long residence, and British nationality with applications built to last.

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From temporary leave to a permanent place in the UK

Settlement and nationality cover the routes that turn a temporary visa into a permanent right to live here, and in time into British citizenship. The route that fits depends on how long you have been in the UK, the leave you have held, and the detail of your time here.

Applying too early, or on the wrong basis, can mean a refusal and a fee you will not get back. We check where you actually stand first, tell you plainly whether you are ready, then prepare an application that gives the Home Office no reason to say no. Choose the service closest to your situation below, or speak to us and we will point you to the right one.

Settlement and nationality services

Select the route that matches your situation.

ILR ApplicationsIndefinite Leave to Remain for those who have completed their qualifying time in the UK.Learn moreLong Residence ApplicationsSettlement based on ten years of continuous lawful residence in the UK.Learn morePrivate Life ApplicationsSettlement on the basis of the private life and ties you have built in the UK.Learn moreRight of AbodeFor those entitled to live and work in the UK free of immigration control.Learn moreBritish Passport ApplicationsHelp confirming your citizenship and applying for or renewing a British passport.Learn more

Compare your options at a glance

A short summary of each service above. Our fees are agreed in writing before any work begins. Home Office, court and other third-party fees are extra and listed on our price list.

ServiceKey pointFee
ILR ApplicationsQualifying periodUsually five years on many family and work routes, ten years under Long Residence, or no qualifying period for some routesUsually £800 to £3,000 plus VAT, depending on the route and complexity
Long Residence ApplicationsQualifying period10 years of continuous lawful residence in the UK£1,500 – £3,000 + VAT
Private Life ApplicationsRoute typePermission to stay or settlement, depending on your category and immigration history£1,200 – £2,500 + VAT
Right of AbodeStatusA right to live and work in the UK free from immigration control£600 – £1,200 + VAT
British Passport ApplicationsMain requirementYou must be British or able to prove British nationality£500 – £1,200 + VAT

Key facts

The main rules that apply to settlement & nationality, with the law or official source for each.

  • The Home Office fee for Indefinite Leave to Remain is £3,226 per applicant.

    GOV.UK, Home Office immigration and nationality fees

  • Today most family and work routes lead to settlement after five years, and long residence after ten. The Government consulted on a ten-year "earned settlement" baseline from November 2025 to February 2026. Until new Immigration Rules are laid, the current routes remain in force.

    Home Office consultation, A fairer pathway to settlement

  • Most settlement applicants must pass the Life in the UK test, which costs £50, and show English at B1 level or above, unless exempt.

    Immigration Rules, Appendix KoL UK

  • Naturalisation as a British citizen usually requires 12 months with settled status first, unless you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen.

    British Nationality Act 1981, s 6 and Sch 1

Correct as at October 2026. Rules and fees can change at short notice, so we confirm what applies to you before any application is made. This is general information, not legal advice on your case.

Common questions

The UK indefinite leave to remain requirements depend on the route you are applying under. Most applications involve a qualifying period of residence, the Life in the UK test, English at B1 or above unless exempt, route-specific evidence and suitability checks. We review your route, immigration history, absences and documents before the application is submitted. Read more about ILR applications →

You may be able to apply for ILR after 10 years in the UK if your residence has been lawful and continuous. The Home Office will look at the full 10-year period, including the visas you held, whether applications were made in time, whether any section 3C leave applies and whether your absences break continuous residence. Read more about long residence applications →

A private life application in the UK is an application to stay because of the life and ties you have built here. It can include long residence, a child growing up in the UK, a young adult spending half their life here, or serious obstacles to integration in the country of return. It is considered under Appendix Private Life. Read more about private life applications →

The right of abode means a person can live and work in the UK without immigration restrictions. A person with right of abode does not need a visa or electronic travel authorisation to enter the UK, and there is no time limit on how long they can stay. Read more about right of abode →

Not sure if you are ready to settle?

The qualifying rules for settlement are strict, and a single gap or long absence can reset the clock. Tell us your history and we will tell you honestly where you stand, with no obligation.

Request a callback020 8543 3302
  • Regulated adviceAuthorised and regulated by the SRA, No. 490744.
  • Fixed feesAgreed in writing before we begin, so you are never surprised.
  • Multilingual teamSpeak to us in the language you are most comfortable in.