ILR gives you the right to live and work in the UK without time limits - here is how most people qualify and what the process involves.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) - sometimes called settlement - gives you the right to live, work, and study in the UK without any time restriction on your visa. It is one of the most significant immigration milestones you can reach, and for many Nepalis in the UK it is the step before considering British citizenship.
Once you hold ILR, you no longer need to renew your visa or worry about a visa expiry date. You can work for any employer, access public funds (subject to other eligibility rules), and travel in and out of the UK more freely. Your ILR does not expire unless you stay outside the UK for a continuous period - as a guide, two or more consecutive years outside the UK can cause you to lose it. Always check the current rule at gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain.
The government has confirmed an “earned settlement” reform that would raise the standard qualifying period from five years to a baseline of ten years for most routes, with reductions or increases based on factors such as earnings, contribution and immigration compliance. It is expected to be implemented in autumn 2026, and the Home Secretary has said it is intended to apply to people already in the UK, not only to new arrivals.
As of now the new rules have not been laid before Parliament, so five years remains the requirement on most routes today. But if your settlement date falls in the next few years, do not assume the five-year clock you are counting will still be the one that applies. Check gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain before making decisions - such as leaving a job, taking a long trip, or turning down a route - that depend on your qualifying date.
Most people apply for ILR after holding a qualifying visa for a set period - currently usually five years, though some routes are shorter, and see the warning above about the planned change. The two most common routes for Nepalis in the UK are:
Other routes exist - including the Health and Care Worker route, the Global Talent route, and long-residence routes. The qualifying period and conditions for each can change, so always verify the current requirements for your specific route on GOV.UK before applying.
You must have been continuously resident in the UK throughout the qualifying period. There is a maximum number of days you are allowed to have spent outside the UK during this period - as a guide, around 180 days in any twelve-month period has been the standard limit on many routes, but the exact allowance depends on your route and can change. If you have had periods abroad for work, family emergencies, or other reasons, check your travel history carefully against the current rules at gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain before you apply.
Most ILR applicants must pass the Life in the UK test before applying. The test covers British history, culture, values, and everyday life. You book it online, attend a test centre, and receive your result on the day. A pass certificate is valid indefinitely. Find official preparation materials and book your test at gov.uk/life-in-the-uk-test.
You also need to demonstrate English language ability on the Common European Framework. The level required is changing. For applications made before 26 March 2027 the requirement is B1. For applications made on or after 26 March 2027 it rises to B2.
This matters even if you have already proved your English. Many people on the Skilled Worker route met the B1 requirement when they got their original visa and will not need to prove it again for an application before that date - but meeting B1 in the past does not satisfy a B2 requirement. If your settlement application will fall on or after 26 March 2027, plan on the assumption that you will need a new test at B2, taken at an approved Secure English Language Test centre within the two years before you apply. If you are unsure whether you are exempt, check the current guidance for your route carefully at gov.uk/english-language.
There is a fee to apply for ILR. The Home Office updates fees periodically, so do not rely on community forum figures - the current fee is shown during the online application process. You must apply before your current leave expires; applying late can have serious consequences for your immigration status.
Holding ILR opens the door to British citizenship. Most people must hold ILR (or another qualifying status such as settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme) for at least twelve months before they can naturalise as a British citizen. If you are considering this path, see our guide to British naturalisation - and be aware that Nepal does not currently allow dual citizenship, which is an important consideration for Nepali nationals.
UK immigration rules are updated regularly, sometimes with significant changes at short notice. The only reliable source for current requirements, fees, and forms is GOV.UK. If your situation is complicated - breaks in residence, previous refusals, or multiple visa routes - consider consulting an OISC-regulated immigration adviser or solicitor before you apply.
Start with the official ILR guidance: gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain.