Indefinite Leave to Remain Solicitors
Why AY&J Solicitors For Settlement
- The 180-day absence rule is rolling, not annual, and it is where most people slip. We audit your travel before you file.
- With the qualifying period set to rise to 10 years, timing matters. We get you in under the current rules if you qualify.
Why A Y & J Are Your Ideal Sponsor Licence Solicitors
- First need a confirmed job offer from a UK employer holding a valid sponsor licence
- Then, you can apply for Skilled Worker visa and move to the UK.
- Then, you can apply for Skilled Worker visa and move to the UK.
- Then, you can apply for Skilled Worker visa and move to the UK.
Our story in numbers
Which route are you settling from?
Five-year routes
- Skilled Worker, after 5 years
- Spouse or partner, after 5 years
- Each has its own salary or relationship rules on top
- See our route-specific settlement pages
Faster and longer routes
- Global Talent and Innovator Founder, after 3 years
- Long residence, after 10 continuous years
- Each counts absences slightly differently
- We confirm which rules govern yours
5 steps to your sponsor licence.
A free 15-minute call with our client team to check your business is eligible for a sponsor licence and spot anything that could rule an application out. This is a screening call, not legal advice, so there is no fee.
You receive: a clear view of whether we can help, and your fixed fee.
Once the client care agreement is signed, a solicitor reviews your business, the roles you want to fill and your key personnel, then confirms the right licence type and the documents you need.
You receive: a written eligibility position and a document checklist.
We audit your HR systems against sponsor duties, fix any gaps, draft the policies you need and build your Appendix A document bundle.
You receive: a compliance-ready application bundle.
A senior associate reviews the file independently before we complete the online application, pay the Home Office fee and send your supporting documents within 5 working days.
You receive: submission confirmation and updates on a set schedule.
We prepare your team for any Home Office compliance visit and handle queries until the decision, then help you assign Certificates of Sponsorship and stay compliant.
You receive: a licence ready to use and a compliance plan.
Our Process
The AY&J Process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
Eligibility assessment
You receive
A quick eligibility check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
You receive
Written eligibility and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
You receive
A complete application bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review & Evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
You receive
Pre submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Our Process
The AY&J Process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
British citizenship eligibility assessment
You receive
A quick eligibility check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
You receive
Written eligibility and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
You receive
A complete application bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review & Evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
You receive
Pre submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Our Process
The AY&J process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
Eligibility assessment
We read the refusal and confirm you have a right of appeal.
You receive
A quick standing check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
We confirm your ground, appeal or JR, and protect your 3C leave.
You receive
Written next steps and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
We draft the grounds and build the bundle and skeleton argument.
You receive
A complete appeal bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review and evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
We serve the bundle and represent you at the hearing.
You receive
A pre-submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
We explain the outcome and advise on any onward appeal.
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Our Process
The AY&J process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
Individual eligibility assessment
A phone or video call, wherever you are in Edinburgh, to check for issues.
You receive
A quick eligibility check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
A solicitor maps your options on a video call, at a time that suits you.
You receive
Written next steps and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
We gather your documents and build the evidence bundle for you.
You receive
A complete application bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review and evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
A senior associate reviews, then we submit and deal with the Home Office.
You receive
A pre-submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
We explain the decision and your next steps by video.
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Our Process
The AY&J Process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
Family dependant eligibility assessment
You receive
A quick eligibility check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
You receive
Written eligibility and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
You receive
A complete application bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review & Evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
You receive
Pre submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Our Process
The AY&J process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
Eligibility assessment
We check both tests, the relationship and the finances.
You receive
A quick eligibility check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
We map the right financial category and the risk.
You receive
Written next steps and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
We build the relationship evidence and draft the application.
You receive
A complete application bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review and evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
We submit online, book biometrics, and monitor the decision.
You receive
A pre-submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
We explain the outcome and plan extension and settlement.
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Costs & Processing Times
In our clients' own words.
“I had an excellent experience with Ms. Ikra throughout the entire application process. She was highly professional, responsive, and attentive to detail. All of my questions were answered clearly and promptly, and I always felt that my application was handled with great care and professionalism. I’m very pleased with the successful outcome and would highly recommend their services.”
“After our ILR rejection, AY&J pursued our case through Administrative Review and Judicial Review. The team was open, honest, knowledgeable and attentive to every detail. They kept us informed at every stage, supported us throughout an extremely difficult journey and helped us regain confidence in our case.”
Tell us your qualifying date
Frequently Asked Questions
Costs and after ILR
Yes. Two continuous years outside the UK ends it, and it can be revoked for serious criminality or deception. Short trips do not affect it.
Costs and after ILR
Usually 12 months after ILR, or immediately if you are married to a British citizen and meet the other rules.
Costs and after ILR
Dependants may apply at the same time or separately, depending on their own visa and residence. We check each family member’s position.
Costs and after ILR
Up to 6 months on the standard service. Priority is about 5 working days for £500, super priority about 2 working days for £1,000, where offered.
Costs and after ILR
£3,226 per person from 8 April 2026, plus £50 for the Life in the UK test. There is no Immigration Health Surcharge on ILR.
The 10-year change
Waiting is the risk. If the change lands while you are still short of 5 years, you could face the longer period. We assess your timing honestly.
The 10-year change
Transitional arrangements are under consultation, but nothing is guaranteed. The safe course is to apply under the rules that exist today if you can.
The 10-year change
Then the current 5-year rule still applies to you. This is why applying as soon as you qualify, up to 28 days early, matters so much right now.
The 10-year change
No. Existing ILR holders keep their status. The change is about the period needed to qualify, not settlement already granted.
The 10-year change
Yes. The Government has confirmed it, following a consultation that closed on 12 February 2026. It is expected to take effect in autumn 2026.
Absences and tests
B1 for most routes, rising to B2 for many from 26 March 2027. It can be met by a test, a degree taught in English, or nationality.
Absences and tests
Yes, before you apply, unless you are exempt at 65 or over or for a long-term condition. It is £50, and the pass is valid for life.
Absences and tests
It depends why. Some absences are excused, such as serious illness or being stranded by events outside your control, if evidenced. Otherwise the clock may reset.
Absences and tests
Because they count by calendar year. The Home Office checks every rolling window, so a long trip that spans two years can still breach it. We audit the real dates.
Absences and tests
No more than 180 in any rolling 12-month period. It is counted rolling, across every possible 12-month window, not per calendar year.
Qualifying
The suitability test. Unspent convictions, serious immigration breaches, deception, or NHS debt over £500 can all cause refusal.
Qualifying
Sometimes. Time can often be combined across routes towards the 5 years, but the rules are specific. We check your full history.
Qualifying
Work and family routes such as Skilled Worker and partner visas, plus Global Talent, Innovator Founder, and long residence. Time on a visit or short-term route does not count.
Qualifying
Yes. You can apply up to 28 days before you complete the qualifying period. Applying earlier than that risks refusal.
Qualifying
Usually 5 years of continuous lawful residence. It is 3 years on Global Talent and Innovator Founder, and 10 years on the long residence route.