When Is the Best Time to Apply for ILR?
Timing your ILR application strategically can avoid absence problems, save money, and reduce stress.
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Guides & tips for your UK immigration journey
Plain-English explainers on absence rules, ILR, and citizenship — written for visa holders, not lawyers.
From Student Visa to Skilled Worker: Does Your Time in the UK Count?
Switching from a Student visa to a Skilled Worker visa is common — here's how your time on each route affects your route to ILR.
Read more →Dependant Visas: Absence Rules for Partners and Children
How absence rules apply to dependants of Skilled Worker, Global Talent, and other UK visa holders.
Read more →Common Reasons ILR Applications Are Refused
Learn the most frequent causes of ILR refusal so you can avoid them in your own application.
Read more →COVID-19 and UK Absence Discretion: What Still Applies?
How the pandemic still affects UK absence calculations for some ILR and citizenship applicants, and when discretion may still be granted.
Read more →Life in the UK Test: A Quick Guide for ILR Applicants
A short overview of the Life in the UK test — what it is, what to study, and how to book.
Read more →Continuous Residence vs Qualifying Residence: What's the Difference?
Two similar-sounding terms that mean different things in UK immigration. Here's how to tell them apart.
Read more →What Evidence to Keep for Your ILR Absence History
A checklist of documents and records to keep to support your ILR application's absence section.
Read more →The 10-Year Long Residence Route to ILR
An overview of the 10-year long residence route, how continuous residence is defined, and the specific absence rules that apply.
Read more →Working Remotely Abroad: Does It Count as a UK Absence?
The rise of remote work raises a simple question — if you're doing your UK job from abroad, does it still count as being away from the UK? The short answer: yes.
Read more →How to Count Travel Days Correctly for UK Absences
Get the rules right: what counts as a day of absence, how to handle departure and arrival days, and common miscounting mistakes.
Read more →I've Exceeded 180 Days Abroad — What Now?
Practical steps to take if you've gone over the 180-day UK absence limit, including discretion requests and alternative strategies.
Read more →Health and Care Worker Visa: Absence Rules for ILR
Everything health and care professionals need to know about UK absence rules on the path to Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Read more →Spouse and Partner Visa: What You Need to Know About Absences
How absences affect Spouse and Partner visa holders applying for ILR, including the continuous residence requirement.
Read more →Innovator Founder Visa: Absence Rules and Settlement
A practical guide to the Innovator Founder visa absence rules, the 3-year ILR route, and how to track your time outside the UK.
Read more →Global Talent Visa: Absence Rules for ILR
What Global Talent visa holders need to know about UK absences, qualifying periods, and settling after 3 or 5 years.
Read more →Skilled Worker Visa: How to Track Your Absences for ILR
A practical guide for Skilled Worker visa holders on tracking days outside the UK to ensure eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Read more →From ILR to British Citizenship: Absence Rules You Need to Know
Once you have ILR, British citizenship is the next step. Learn about the different absence limits for naturalisation and how to stay on track.
Read more →Understanding the 180-Day Absence Rule for UK ILR
A clear guide to the 180-day rule for Indefinite Leave to Remain applications, including how rolling 12-month periods work and common pitfalls to avoid.
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