People approaching settlement on a UK immigration route
Indefinite Leave to Remain advice
Careful advice on settlement, so the qualifying period and absences are checked before you apply.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), often called settlement, allows a person to live in the UK without time limits. The requirements depend on the route you are on, including the qualifying period and the rules on absences from the UK.
Settlement rules are subject to change and proposals for change. We check the current position for your route before advising. Official guidance on every UK immigration route is published on GOV.UK. The rules change regularly, so we check the current position before advising.
Who this may be relevant to
- Visa holders approaching the end of a qualifying period
- People unsure whether absences affect their continuous residence
- Partners and family members of settled people
- People planning ahead for later British citizenship
What we can advise on
- Qualifying periods
- The period that applies on your route and how it is calculated.
- Continuous residence
- How absences from the UK are assessed.
- English and Life in the UK
- The knowledge of language and life requirements, and exemptions.
- Route-specific rules
- Additional requirements on work, family and other routes.
How Resolve can help
- Check your immigration history and absences
- Explain the requirements that apply to your route
- Prepare the settlement application
- Explain the later steps towards citizenship
How a settlement matter usually begins
First contact
Tell us briefly about your circumstances and what you are trying to achieve. Please do not send documents at this stage.
Initial discussion
We carry out our conflict and identity checks, then discuss the route, the main requirements and how we charge.
Reviewing the position
We review your immigration history, absences and current route requirements.
Next steps
We agree in writing what we will do. Decisions are made by the Home Office, and no outcome or processing time can be guaranteed.
Working with Resolve
- Plain explanations of the requirements and the risks before anything is submitted
- Honest advice where another route may be more suitable, or where an application is unlikely to meet the rules
- Clear communication about your matter and the next steps
- Based in Watford, advising clients across Hertfordshire, London and England & Wales
Where we act
Our office is in Watford, Hertfordshire. We advise on UK immigration matters for clients in Hertfordshire, London and elsewhere, and can communicate by telephone, video and email where appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
Which immigration matters does Resolve deal with?
We offer a selected range of immigration services: Global Talent and Innovator Founder visas, spouse and partner visas, business immigration, sponsor licences, Indefinite Leave to Remain and British citizenship.
If your matter falls outside these services we will tell you promptly so that you can find the right adviser.
What is the first step in an immigration matter?
Tell us in outline about your circumstances, your current immigration status and any deadline. We carry out conflict and identity checks before advising substantively and will explain how we charge.
Please do not send passports or other documents with your first enquiry.
Start Your Enquiry
Tell us briefly what has happened and what you need. Email and telephone are both required so we can respond in the way that suits you.