ILR for Spouses and Family Members: UK Settlement Guide 2026

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is the point where your stay in the UK stops having an end date. For spouses, partners, children and parents of British or settled people, it means no more visa renewals, full freedom to work, and a clear path to British citizenship.

This guide explains ILR for spouses and other family members: who qualifies, what the Home Office checks, what it costs, and what is changing.

Who can apply for ILR through family?

Each family route has its own rules. The table shows the main ones.

There is no family route for brothers or sisters. A sibling can only come to the UK on the adult dependent relative route, which is very strict and rarely granted.

What are the requirements for ILR for spouses?

For ILR for spouses and partners on the 5-year route, you will usually need to show:

• Residence: five years on the partner route in the UK.
• Relationship: your relationship is genuine and ongoing, and you plan to live together in the UK.
• Finances: your household meets the financial requirement (see below).
• English: CEFR level B1 in speaking and listening, unless you are exempt.
• Life in the UK test: a pass, unless you are exempt.
• Suitability: no serious criminal record or immigration breaches.

You can apply up to 28 days before you complete five years.

What is the financial requirement?

The figure depends on when you first applied as a partner.

• First applied on or after 11 April 2024: a household income of at least £29,000 a year.
• Already on the route before 11 April 2024: you can usually stay on the old rules of £18,600, plus £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each extra child.

You can also meet the rule through savings, or a mix of income and savings. If you cannot meet it, you may still be able to settle on the 10-year route.

What is changing in 2026 and 2027?

The government has proposed an "earned settlement" model with a 10-year baseline for most migrants. Under the current plans, partners, parents and children of British citizens keep a 5-year route. At the time of writing, these plans are not yet in the Immigration Rules.

Partners of people who are only settled, not British, and dependants of work visa holders may be treated differently once the new rules are set. Check the position before you apply.

The English requirement for settlement is due to rise from B1 to B2 from 26 March 2027. If you are close to eligibility, applying before then may be easier.

How much does ILR for spouses cost?

The Home Office fee for ILR is £3,226 per person from 8 April 2026. You do not pay the Immigration Health Surcharge on an ILR application. You may also need to pay for the Life in the UK test, an English test, and any priority service. Fees change often, so check GOV.UK before you pay. For our service fees, see our fees page.

How to apply: step by step

1. Check your dates. Confirm when you complete your qualifying period and when you can apply.
2. Pass your tests. Book the Life in the UK test and an approved English test if you need one.
3. Gather evidence. Collect proof of your relationship, finances, accommodation and time in the UK.
4. Apply online. Complete the SET(M) form on GOV.UK and pay the fee.
5. Give your biometrics. Attend a UKVCAS appointment, or use the ID check app if you are eligible.
6. Wait for a decision. Standard decisions can take up to six months. Priority services are faster.
7. Get your eVisa. If you are approved, your ILR is recorded as an eVisa in your UKVI account. Biometric residence permits are no longer issued.

Which documents will you need?

• Your current passport and eVisa details.
• Your marriage or civil partnership certificate, or evidence of your relationship.
• Proof you live together, such as joint bills, bank statements and a tenancy or mortgage.
• Payslips, bank statements or other evidence for the financial requirement.
• Your Life in the UK test pass and English test result, unless exempt.
• Evidence of suitable accommodation.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for ILR after five years on a spouse visa?

Yes. Most partners apply after five years on the partner route. If you have been on the 10-year route, you must wait the full 10 years.

How long does a spouse ILR decision take?

Standard decisions can take up to six months. Priority and super priority services give faster decisions for an extra fee.

Can I still get ILR if my British partner has died?

Yes. Bereaved partners can apply for ILR without meeting the usual income or relationship duration rules. You need to show the relationship was genuine at the time of death.

Can my children get ILR with me?

Usually, yes. Children under 18 who are in the UK as your dependants can normally apply for ILR at the same time as you.

When can I apply for British citizenship after ILR?

If you are married to a British citizen, you can apply as soon as you have ILR. Most other people must wait 12 months after getting ILR.

Get your ILR application right first time

ILR for spouses and family members is a major step, and one mistake can cost months and a new fee. Checking your dates, finances and evidence early gives you the best chance.

AY&J Solicitors is SRA-regulated and ranked by The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. We help spouses, partners and families settle in the UK every week. To check your position, book a free discovery call with our visa experts, or try our free ILR eligibility assessment tool.

Written and legally reviewed by Sunny Sandhu, Head of Legal Operations, AY&J Solicitors. SRA regulated, Legal 500, Chambers and Partners. Last reviewed: 22 October 2026.