Obtain Permanent Residence in the UK

Are you interested in getting permanent residency in the UK in 2026? This article is for you! Please explore the main requirements and then discuss further details and ask for legal support from our immigration solicitors in London.

Quick Facts
Who can apply for a permanent residence in UK?	– people who have lived lawfully in the UK on a qualifying route (e.g. Skilled Worker, partner/family, Global Talent, Innovator Founder), usually for 5 years (3 years on some routes), – long residence (10 years)
Benefits of permanent residence in UK	– the right to remain in UK, – family can join you in the UK, – healthcare aid, – social security benefits etc.
Requirements for permanent residency in UK	Those interested must have valid visa for 5 years and want to stay, are married to a UK citizen and expect to remain in the country, etc.
Documents required for pemanent residence in UK	– current pay slips, – bank account statements, – address proof, – council tax letters, – appointment letter from employer, etc.
Permanent residence permit validity	Indefinite
Individual application cost	GBP 3,226
Proof of finances	– at least £29,000 a year gross for partner applications, with no extra amount for children (applies since 11 April 2024; the old £18,600 + child amounts apply only to those first granted under the earlier rules)
Application processing period for permanent residence in UK	Up to 6 months
Who deals with PR application?	UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), part of the Home Office
Minimum temporary residence before applying for permanent residence	Usually 5 years of continuous lawful residence (3 years on some routes, e.g. Global Talent or Innovator Founder; 10 years for long residence).
Citizenship after permanent residence	After 1 year of acquiring PR
Naturalization after permanent residence	After 12 months of holding ILR (no waiting period if married to a British citizen)
Is “Life in UK” test mandatory? (Yes/No	Yes
Is knowledge of English language necessary? (Yes/No)	Yes
Dual citizenship permitted (Yes/No)	Yes

How is permanent residency in the UK known?

Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or permanent residency (PR).

What are the eligibility criteria to obtain ILR in the UK in 2026?

must have lived in the UK for at least 5 years and met the continuous residence requirement during this period,
have not spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period of the five years,
have not broken the Immigration Rules at any stage during the five years.

NOTE! Owners of ILR may apply for British citizenship if they have held an ILR for 12 months or longer, are over 18 years, and have been living in the country for the last 5 years.

How is the transition done from temporary residency to permanent one in the UK?

Through these routes:

with a 5-year skilled worker visa,
with a global talent visa for 3 or 5 years,
after 5 years on a family (partner) visa, usually granted in two periods of 2.5 years,
by holding an innovator founder visa for at least 3 years.

Also, they can explore the following infographic:

What documents are required to get residency in the UK in 2026?

a specific form provided by the authorities,
a valid passport,
the national identity card,
2 passport-size photos,
marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate, if the application also comprises another person.

IMPORTANT! A certified translation must accompany all the above-mentioned documents, if not in the English language.

Is the EU Settlement Scheme available for Ukrainians?

No. The EU Settlement Scheme is only for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members; Ukrainians can instead use the Homes for Ukraine scheme or the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme, not the EU Settlement Scheme. Moreover, the authorities gave up the Ukrainian Family Visa Scheme program in February 2024 to offer other options for obtaining a visa and residence in the UK.

Is the Life in the UK Test imposed when applying for permanent residency in the UK?

Yes.

Is English language knowledge imposed?

Yes, the applicant must prove a B1 level of English (B2 for most routes for applications made from 26 March 2027). This is done with an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) or a degree taught in English, not via the official service for booking the Life in the UK Test.

How can family members apply for permanent residency in the UK?

Spouses, partners, children, and other dependents can apply for a spouse visa, dependent visa, or child visa in the UK,
In this case, only people who already have someone with permanent residence in the UK can apply for the types of visas mentioned above.

Can representatives of foreign businesses apply for British PR (existing visa holders only; the route closed to new applicants in April 2023)?

Yes if:

they have been living & working for at least 5 years in the UK with no more than 180 days outside the country,
prove the foreign company still needs them in the UK as employees, etc.

NOTE! Life in the UK and English knowledge are also mandatory in this case, including for the sole representative of a company from overseas, organization, etc.

What is the time frame to get permanent residence in the UK?

Around 6 months.

What is the cost for PR application in the UK in 2026?

Around GBP 3,226.

Can PR applications be rejected?

Yes if:

the UK immigration laws have been broken,
you don’t have a clear criminal record,
offer false information, etc.

What are the benefits of permanent residence in the UK?

PR owners do have access to public funds. The phrasing “No recourse to public funds” is not written on PR holders’ visas.

Besides assistance for getting residency, our lawyers can also help you with the application for an investor visa in the UK. They can offer you detailed guidance in this regard. Please feel free to contact our immigration solicitors in London.