ILR Earned Settlement Period Calculator

The proposed earned settlement model would replace the current time-based ILR route with a system based on residence, contribution, integration and character. It could extend the standard five-year pathway to a longer timeline unless applicants meet specific criteria. This may delay ILR for many sponsored employees, so employers should use the ILR calculator to assess current timelines and understand who may be affected if the changes are introduced.

Our ILR calculator assesses an employee's eligibility for ILR by cross-referencing their specific visa start dates against current Home Office continuous residence requirements. It helps HR teams forecast the exact date an employee qualifies for settlement (typically after ten years), allowing for better workforce planning and budget forecasting for visa fees.

The Home Office has proposed reforms shifting from a time-based entitlement to an 'earned settlement' model. This would likely require applicants to demonstrate "character, contribution, and integration" alongside residence, potentially extending the timeline to settlement (up to 10 years). While current rules apply today, using this tool to maintain precise records of residence and absences is the best way to "future-proof" your compliance against stricter evidentiary requirements.

Yes. The calculator is optimized for the corporate immigration routes that qualify for settlement, including Skilled Worker (formerly Tier 2 General). Innovator Founder and Global Talent routes. It is an essential tool for sponsor license holders to audit their sponsored population and ensure they are meeting their tracking duties.

Many work and talent routes allow ILR after five years, including Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, Minister of Religion and some eligible Ancestry pathways. The qualifying period depends on meeting salary rules, residence requirements and other criteria specific to each visa type.

HR and mobility managers can use the calculator to see when sponsored employees are likely to reach ILR eligibility. This helps teams forecast retention, manage visa expiry risks, estimate future immigration costs and build more accurate headcount and training plans.

Typical ILR applications require a current passport, biometric residence permit, proof of continuous residence, evidence of absences, payslips or earnings records where applicable, a Life in the UK Test pass certificate and proof of English language ability. Exact requirements vary by visa category.

Continuous lawful residence means the applicant must have lived in the UK for the required number of years without significant gaps, overstays or periods without valid immigration status. Time must be spent under qualifying visas and within permitted absence limits.

The Life in the UK Test is a multiple choice exam covering British culture, history and values. Most ILR applicants must pass it unless they are exempt because of age, medical conditions or specific visa categories.

Dependants generally follow the same qualifying period as the main applicant, but their time in the UK does not automatically align with the main visa holder. They must meet their own residence, absence and eligibility requirements before applying for ILR.

If ILR policy changes before an application is submitted, applicants usually need to meet the rules in place on the date they apply. This can affect timelines, salary thresholds or eligibility criteria. Employers should monitor updates and review timelines using tools like the ILR calculator.

HR should start planning for an employee’s ILR application from the beginning of their sponsorship. Taking a ‘begin with the end in mind’ approach helps ensure accurate tracking of absences, salary progression and compliance throughout the full qualifying period.

For most settlement routes, including the Skilled Worker visa, applicants must not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any rolling 12-month period. Breaching this limit breaks continuous residence and resets the 5-year clock. This calculator helps you verify if an employee’s travel history complies with these limits before you submit an application.