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UK Visa Desk

Eligibility

Settlement eligibility for Indian applicants, 2026

Direct answer

Continuous lawful residence on a qualifying route, usually 5 years: Skilled Worker, Partner, Innovator Founder, Global Talent and others In all, 7 conditions apply to Indian applicants for the Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain), listed below with the figures that apply in 2026.

Reviewed by UK Visa Desk counselling team, Visa counsellors, Pro Lifeset Overseas Pvt Ltd, Patiala. Licence 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024. Last verified .

Conditions, in the order officers check them

Meet every line, with evidence; a single missing condition is a refusal, not a request for more documents.

  1. 1Continuous lawful residence on a qualifying route, usually 5 years: Skilled Worker, Partner, Innovator Founder, Global Talent and others
  2. 2Absences of no more than 180 days in any 12-month period for work routes
  3. 3Life in the UK test passed
  4. 4English at CEFR B1 today, rising to B2 for applications from March 2027
  5. 5No unspent criminal convictions or other suitability issues
  6. 6Still meeting the route's own requirements, for example the partner income rule or a continuing job
  7. 7Possible future change: the earned-settlement consultation proposed a 10-year baseline with reductions for contribution; the outcome is pending

Thresholds from the datasets

English level
CEFR B1 (ILR (knowledge of language and life) until the change); Appendix KoLL: B1 SELT plus Life in the UK test. Exempt if aged 65 or over or with a long-term condition.

Maintenance verified 8 October 2026; English verified 8 October 2026.

Information only. We do not file the Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain). Already in the UK? We refer you to a regulated adviser (OISC or SRA) and charge nothing for the introduction. Applying from India and unsure which route fits? Ask the desk on WhatsApp.

Related questions

Can you file my ILR from India?

No. Settlement is applied for inside the UK and the applicant must be there. We inform and refer you to a regulated UK adviser.

Is the 5-year rule changing to 10 years?

The government consulted on an earned-settlement model with a 10-year baseline and shorter periods for people who contribute more. The consultation closed on 12 February 2026 and no decision has been announced as of October 2026. We will post the outcome in our updates hub.

What is the English change in March 2027?

The required level rises from B1 to B2 for settlement applications from March 2027. If you are close to qualifying, consider applying before that date or booking a B2 test now.

All 7 questions
  • Punjab licence: 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024valid to 22 July 2029
  • CIN: U52291PB2024PTC060508Pro Lifeset Overseas Pvt Ltd