Skip to content
IHImmigration Help

Prepare to apply for ILR

Start early, track absences, organise documents, and pick a safe application date.

Last reviewed: 2025-10-02

Good preparation turns ILR from overwhelming to manageable. This chapter shows you what to organise, how to track absences, and when to apply so you avoid last-minute surprises. We keep figures generic—always verify live rules before you submit.

If your case has edge cases (route switches, heavy travel, past refusals), plan conservatively and consider tailored advice from an OISC-registered adviser.

When to start (work backwards)

The best time to prepare is months before you hit eligibility. Work backwards from a tentative application date.

  • 6–9 months out: start an absence log, gather payslips, confirm English and Life in the UK status.
  • 3–4 months out: run the ILR Calculator to estimate a safe earliest date and scan rolling 12-month windows.
  • 1–2 months out: book any remaining tests, request your employer letter, and tidy your evidence pack.
  • Final month: re-check windows, freeze your document set, and submit when the date is safe.

Build your evidence base (the tidy folder you’ll reuse)

Create a single cloud folder with clear names. You’ll use this for ILR and future records.

  • Identity & status: current passport; scans of any previous passports used in the qualifying period; eVisa login (or legacy BRP if applicable).
  • Employment evidence (for work routes): last 3 months payslips (or as required) and an employer letter confirming role and ongoing employment.
  • Absence log: simple table with From, To, Reason, Notes, plus tickets/boarding passes where helpful.
  • English proof: approved test result or ECCTIS degree confirmation (if allowed) or exemption evidence.
  • Life in the UK: pass confirmation/reference.
  • Translations: certified translations with the translator’s statement, date, and contact details (include original + translation).

Track absences accurately

Absences are checked across rolling 12-month windows within your qualifying period. Tracking early is the simplest win.

  • Log exact exit/entry dates for every trip; keep boarding passes when close to limits.
  • Treat it as a “rolling” check—heavy months may clear as older trips “roll out”.
  • Business travel counts too; keep brief employer letters confirming dates if you travel often.
Use our ILR Calculator to estimate your period start, base date, and earliest safe application date, and to scan for heavy windows.

Life in the UK & English (close gaps early)

Don’t leave these to the last minute.

  • Life in the UK Test: book early at a convenient centre; use the exact ID you’ll bring; keep the pass reference safe.
  • English requirement: approved test at the right CEFR level or ECCTIS degree confirmation (where permitted) or clear exemption.
  • If either is expiring or unclear, resolve it months before your target date.

Employer letter & payslips (employment routes)

Most employment routes expect to see that you still meet the route rules at ILR.

  • Employer letter: brief confirmation of your role (and, where relevant, occupation code/salary alignment) and that employment is ongoing.
  • Recent payslips: tidy, consecutive, and readable.
  • If anything changed (title, location, hours), make sure HR records are accurate and consistent.

eVisa/BRP and passport updates

  • If you have an eVisa, ensure your current passport is linked in your UKVI account before travel or submission.
  • If you still have a BRP, follow the instructions from your decision; many routes have moved to digital status only.
  • Keep screenshots or confirmations in your ILR folder.

Choosing a safe application date

Pick a date that clears the absence rule in every rolling 12-month window and satisfies the route’s residence period.

  • Re-run your absence scan shortly before submitting.
  • Many routes allow applying up to 28 days early relative to the end of the qualifying period—verify your route’s current rule before relying on it.
  • If you’re near a limit, wait until a heavy absence falls out of the last 12 months.

Common pitfalls (and quick fixes)

Miscounting absence days

Use exact exit/entry dates, keep boarding passes for borderline months, and re-scan with a rolling-window tool before picking a date.

Unclear start date for the qualifying period

When first-grant and entry dates differ, many routes count from the later date. Plan conservatively and verify against current guidance.

Out-of-date English/Life in the UK evidence

Resolve these months ahead. Book the test early and ensure your English proof matches the route’s accepted methods.

Employer evidence not ready

Request the employer letter and gather recent payslips 4–6 weeks before your target date. Keep HR informed if dates shift.

Messy, unreadable documents

Upload clear PDFs, combine multi-page files, and use descriptive names (e.g., payslips-3months.pdf, life-in-the-uk-pass.pdf).

Checklists (copy/paste)

Readiness checklist

  • [ ] Absence log complete and reviewed
  • [ ] Life in the UK pass on file
  • [ ] English proof ready (or exemption)
  • [ ] Recent payslips saved (employment routes)
  • [ ] Employer letter requested / received
  • [ ] Passport(s) + status evidence ready (eVisa login / BRP if applicable)
  • [ ] Translations prepared where needed

Evidence pack

  • [ ] Identity: passport(s), status evidence
  • [ ] Employment: payslips + employer letter (if relevant)
  • [ ] Absences: travel log + key tickets/boarding passes
  • [ ] English: test/ECCTIS or exemption evidence
  • [ ] Life in the UK: pass confirmation/reference
  • [ ] Clean PDFs with clear filenames

FAQs

My travel puts me near the 180-day window — should I delay?

Often yes. Consider waiting until heavy absences drop out of the last 12 months so each rolling window is within the limit.

Do I need to stay with my employer right up to ILR?

Employment routes typically require that you meet the route’s rules at ILR (genuine role, qualifying salary, etc.). If you plan to change, model the timing carefully and verify current rules.

Can I apply 28 days early?

Many routes allow it, but confirm your route’s current policy before relying on the early window.

What if my passport changed during the route?

Update your eVisa/UKVI account with the new passport details and keep the old passport handy for historical visas/stamps if asked.

Do I pay IHS for ILR?

No. ILR applications do not include the Immigration Health Surcharge, though the ILR application fee and any service upgrades still apply.

Information only — not legal advice. Always verify live requirements on official guidance and speak to an OISC-registered adviser for complex scenarios.