ILR Calculator Check your Indefinite Leave to remain Eligibility

Use our free ILR Calculator to check your eligibility if you qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK. Fast, accurate results in seconds.

ILR Calculator UK – When Can You Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain?

Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is a big step. It gives you the freedom to live in the UK permanently, without needing to renew a visa. But getting the timing wrong could lead to delays, extra costs  or even a refused application.

That’s where the ILR calculator UK can help. This tool shows you the earliest date you can apply for ILR based on your visa history, time spent in the UK, and immigration rules set by the Home Office.

Want personal guidance? Call 0161 464 4140 or book a consultation with our immigration solicitors in Manchester.

What Is Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?

ILR gives you the right to live and work in the UK without time limits. You’ll no longer be tied to visa renewals or sponsor requirements. Most people apply for ILR after living in the UK for 5 years under a qualifying visa, though some qualify after 10 years.

Once you get ILR, you can:

• Stay in the UK permanently
• Access public services without restrictions
• Apply for British citizenship after 12 months (in most cases)

But ILR isn’t automatic. You must meet strict rules and timing is key.

What Is the ILR Calculator?

The ILR calculator helps you work out when you can apply for ILR. It’s based on the UKVI’s 28 day rule, which allows you to submit your application up to 28 days before reaching the required continuous residence period.

For example, if you started a qualifying visa on 1 August 2019, and you need 5 years, the earliest you could apply is 4 July 2024.

The calculator uses details like:

• The type of ILR route you’re on
• Start date of your qualifying visa
• Your date of entry into the UK
• Any visa switches
• Your current visa expiry

What You Need Before Using the ILR Calculator

To get an accurate result, make sure you have the following:

Your Visa Dates

Note the start date of the visa that starts your continuous qualifying period. If you’ve had multiple visas, you may need to check your Home Office records or old emails.

Your Entry Date

This is the physical date you entered the UK under that visa. If there was a delay of more than 180 days between the visa start and your entry, the clock starts from when you arrived.

Your Current Visa Expiry Date

You can’t apply too early and you definitely don’t want to apply too late. This date ensures you apply within your permitted time.

Your ILR Route

The calculator assumes you’re applying under a standard ILR route. This includes Skilled Worker visas, Family visas, and long residence (10 year route). Some routes, like asylum or private life, aren’t supported by the tool.

Understanding ‘Continuous Residence’

UKVI often uses different terms for the same thing: Qualifying period, continuous residence, continuous lawful stay, and lawful presence all mean the same thing time spent legally living in the UK without major gaps or absences.

To count as continuous:

• You must not have been absent for more than 180 days in any 12 month period
• You must not have had gaps between visas (e.g. overstayed or delayed renewal)
• Your time must be on visas that count toward the same ILR route

Real Life Examples Using the ILR Calculator

Here are some common ILR situations and how the calculator applies:

Example 1: Skilled Worker on a 5 Year Route

David entered the UK on a Skilled Worker visa on 1 August 2019. He had one 2 week trip abroad each year for holidays.

• He meets the 5-year rule by 1 August 2024
• Using the 28-day rule, he can apply from 4 July 2024

Calculator confirms eligibility.

Example 2: Switched from Tier 2 to Spouse Visa

Aisha came to the UK in 2017 on a Tier 2 (General) visa. In 2021, she switched to a Spouse visa after marrying a British citizen.

• Her 4 years on Tier 2 don’t count toward her current ILR route
• The ILR clock resets from her Spouse visa start date in 2021
• She’ll be eligible for ILR as a partner in 2026, not before

Common mistake calculator helps clarify.

Example 3: 10 Year Long Residence

Zain has been in the UK legally since 2013 on various visas (student, Tier 4, work, Spouse). No gaps, no overstays, only short trips abroad.

• Calculator confirms eligibility from late 2022
• Can apply under 10 year lawful residence route

Multiple visas, but continuous lawful residence = eligible.

When the Calculator Might Not Work

This tool is helpful but not perfect. It assumes a straightforward case. If any of the following apply, speak to a solicitor:

• You’ve overstayed in the past
• You’ve had gaps between visas
• You’re applying on asylum, private life, or discretionary leave grounds
• You’ve had visa refusals, appeals, or judicial review outcomes
• Your immigration history is complex or unclear

For anything outside the standard 5 or 10-year ILR routes, don’t guess. Get legal advice first.

FAQs – ILR Calculator UK

How does the ILR calculator work?

It checks your qualifying period based on your visa start, entry date, and the 28 day early application rule.

What’s the 180 day rule?

You must not be outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12 month period during your qualifying time.

Can switching visas reset my ILR clock?

Yes. If the visa you switch to isn’t on the same ILR route, your clock may reset from the new visa’s start date.

Can I apply for ILR before 5 years?

Only if you meet special criteria (e.g. some accelerated routes under the Global Talent visa), which most people don’t. Standard applicants apply after 5 or 10 years.

Is the ILR calculator 100% accurate?

It’s a guide not a guarantee. Always check your full history, and if unsure, speak to a solicitor.

Why You Should Speak to an Immigration Solicitor

Even a small mistake in your ILR application can lead to rejection, delays, or worse becoming unlawfully present. A solicitor will:

• Double check your dates
• Confirm your visa route counts
• Flag risks (like long absences or past overstays)
• Help you prepare the right documents and evidence
• Save you time, stress, and money in the long run

Want your ILR application done right the first time? 

We’re here to help.

Call 0161 464 4140 or book your appointment now with Deluxe Law Chambers, a trusted immigration solicitors in Manchester.

The ILR calculator UK is a useful way to check your eligibility date and avoid applying too early or too late. But don’t rely on it alone ,rules around continuous residence, visa switches, and qualifying time can be more complex than they seem.

To protect your future in the UK, it’s always worth speaking to a legal professional before submitting your ILR application.