Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) — explained for Turkish readers

Indefinite leave to remain, or ILR, is settled status under UK immigration law. It removes the time limit on your stay, frees you from visa renewals and the immigration health surcharge, and is the normal stepping stone to British citizenship a year later. Most routes lead to it after five years; ECAA holders and long-residence cases have their own rules, and it can lapse after a long absence from the UK.

Turkish law's nearest concept is the uzun dönem ikamet izni granted after eight years' lawful residence. The two are similar in effect, but the UK version arrives sooner and is tied to the route you entered on, so the evidence you need depends on that route.

ILR applications on the family route trigger the stricter translation rule in Appendix FM-SE: certification by a qualified translator with the translator's or company's credentials. Our certificate page is written to meet it; see translations for indefinite leave to remain.