UK Family Visa to ILR: The 5-Year and 10-Year Routes

The 5-year route to ILR

The standard family route: 33 months on initial entry clearance, 30 months on extension, 60 months total before ILR. The applicant must meet all family route requirements at each stage: financial, English language (progressing A1 to A2 to B1), accommodation, relationship.

Continuous lawful residence is required across the 5 years. Gaps in lawful status (where a late application breaks the chain) move the applicant onto the 10-year route or risk overstay consequences.

The 10-year route

The 10-year route is for cases where the applicant has been granted leave to remain on family route grounds but does not meet all 5-year route requirements. Common scenarios: the financial requirement was not fully met at initial application, exceptional Article 8 grounds applied.

The 10-year route still requires continuous lawful residence and ongoing relationship evidence at each stage. Extensions are typically every 30 months across the 10 years. ILR at the end requires the standard tests (Life in the UK, B1 English).

ILR application at the end of the route

ILR applications are made via GOV.UK at the in-country rate. The application fee is higher than extension fees; IHS is not charged on ILR itself (the previous IHS payments are the ongoing contribution).

Standard service is 6 months; Priority is sometimes available. Documents include the standard relationship and accommodation evidence (refreshed for the current period), B1 English certificate, Life in the UK test pass certificate, and absence records.

Life in the UK test and B1 English

The Life in the UK test is a 24-question multiple choice test on UK history, customs and government, with a 75% pass mark. Tests are taken at approved centres at a published fee. The official handbook is the standard preparation material.

B1 English is required: approved SELT, listed nationality, or qualifying degree. Many family route applicants already met B1 at earlier stages or naturally; for those needing a test, IELTS for UKVI Life Skills B1 is the most common.

After ILR: naturalisation

ILR grants permanent immigration status subject to not being absent from the UK for more than 2 years. Naturalisation as a British citizen is the next step for those who want it.

Naturalisation requirements: 12 months of ILR (or sooner for spouses of British citizens), 5 years of UK residence with absence limits (or 3 years for British citizen spouses), good character, Life in the UK test (already passed for ILR), B1 English (already met).

Frequent transition issues

Frequent issues at ILR: relationship breakdown shortly before the application (the route requires the relationship to be subsisting at the date of application), failure to meet B1 (where A2 was sufficient earlier), absences accumulating above the cap during the 5 or 10 years.

Where the relationship breaks down before ILR, the visa is at risk of curtailment. Domestic violence concessions provide a separate route to ILR for victims of domestic abuse; specialist advice is the norm in these cases.

Comparing the 5-year and 10-year routes

5-year route: 33 months initial entry plus 30 months extension equals 60 months total, then ILR. Requirements at each stage: MIR, English language at the relevant level (A1, A2, B1), accommodation, genuine and subsisting relationship. The standard path for applicants meeting all Appendix FM requirements.

10-year route: extensions every 30 months across the 10 years, then ILR. Used for cases meeting Article 8 (right to family and private life) but not the full 5-year route requirements. Common when MIR is not met, when the applicant has UK-born children, or when other compelling factors apply.

Cost comparison: 5-year route has 3 substantive applications (initial, extension, ILR); 10-year route has 5-6 applications (initial, four extensions, ILR). The 10-year route is roughly twice the total application cost over time.

Settlement difference: ILR via the 5-year route is identical to ILR via the 10-year route once granted. Naturalisation as a British citizen after ILR follows the same rules regardless of which route was used. The difference is in the path, not the destination.

Switching routes during the family path

5-year to 10-year: where the 5-year route's requirements become unmeetable mid-way (loss of sponsor's job, dropping below MIR, etc.). The applicant continues on extensions but the 10-year clock starts. Specialist advice is typical.

10-year to 5-year: where the applicant later meets all 5-year route requirements. The application is made on the 5-year basis; the 5-year clock starts from the switch. Time on the 10-year route does not count.

Switching to other routes: family route to Skilled Worker (with a sponsored job offer), family route to Global Talent (with endorsement), family route to Adult Dependant Relative (where the applicant becomes a parent of a UK resident). Each switch starts a new clock under the new route.

Combined Long Residence: 10 years of continuous lawful residence in any combination of routes can produce Long Residence ILR. Useful where switches have reset the standard 5-year clocks.

Documents and evidence for the ILR application

Identity and status: applicant's current passport, current eVisa share code or BRP, partner's passport or BRP confirming continuing UK status.

Relationship evidence: covers the 5 years since initial grant. Joint household documents, photographs, communications, children's birth certificates born during the period, family events.

Financial evidence: meeting the MIR at the rate in force at the application. The applicant's UK income (if employed) and the sponsor's UK income together; cash savings under Category D supplementing where needed.

English language at B1: SELT certificate, listed nationality, or qualifying degree evidence. Many applicants already met B1 at extension or naturally; some take a fresh test before ILR if the previous certificate is expiring or the level is below B1.

Life in the UK test pass certificate: from a test taken at an approved centre. The certificate is uploaded; the certificate itself is valid indefinitely once passed.

After ILR: rights and the 2-year absence rule

ILR rights: permanent immigration status subject to the 2-year absence rule. Full work, study, and access to public funds (the NRPF condition ends with ILR). No further visa applications needed for residence; the holder is settled.

2-year absence: ILR lapses after 2 years of continuous absence from the UK. The status can be restored with a Returning Resident visa, but this requires meeting specific tests on UK ties and intent. Many ILR holders naturalise as British citizens before extended absence to avoid the risk.

Naturalisation eligibility: 12 months of ILR, or sooner for spouses of British citizens (3 years' UK residence is the test). Good character, B1 English (typically already met), Life in the UK test (typically already passed).

Family of new naturalised citizens: where one family member naturalises, others can continue on their existing immigration status and progress separately. Some families coordinate naturalisation timing for ceremonies and citizenship celebrations.

Specialist scenarios at ILR

Domestic violence concession: victims of domestic abuse during the family route can apply for ILR without completing the 5-year route. The application requires evidence of abuse; specialist legal advice and charity support are typical.

Bereavement of the British or settled partner: where the sponsor dies during the family route, the applicant can apply for ILR under the bereaved partner provisions. The application requires evidence of the death and the prior subsisting relationship.

Long Residence (10 years): the alternative settlement route for those with 10 years of continuous lawful residence in any combination of routes. Useful where the 5-year route's clock has reset or the applicant has spent time on multiple routes.

Children's ILR alongside the parent: child dependants on the family route apply for ILR alongside the main applicant. Each child has their own application; the qualifying period is the same.

Strategic decisions on the path to ILR and citizenship

5-year vs 10-year route choice: where eligible for both, the 5-year route is the standard path due to shorter timeline and fewer applications. The 10-year route applies where the 5-year requirements are not met but Article 8 supports residence.

Naturalisation eligibility: 12 months after ILR for most family route ILR holders; 3 years' total UK residence for spouses of British citizens (the residence test can be met during the 5-year family route).

Long Residence as a backup: where the 5-year route's clock has reset due to switching routes, the 10-year Long Residence route may be the alternative. Detailed records of all UK lawful residence support this.

Family coordination at ILR: where the family includes children and the relationship continues, the family applies for ILR together. Each has their own application; the timing is coordinated.

British citizenship implications: dual nationality is permitted by the UK. The country of origin's position on dual nationality varies; some require renunciation of the original citizenship for British naturalisation. Specialist advice on the dual nationality position is sensible for some countries.

Family planning across the ILR and citizenship timeline

Family planning across the route: the 5-year route to ILR plus the 12-month wait for naturalisation gives a 6-7 year typical timeline. Family members on the same route progress alongside; coordination across applications is part of the planning.

Children's education timeline: school year alignment, transitions between Key Stages, GCSE and A-Level choices, university applications. The UK education system's structure influences family planning decisions.

Future return to country of origin: many families maintain ties with the country of origin. Property, family members, business interests, and cultural connections influence long-term decisions.

Dual nationality: most countries permit dual nationality with the UK; some require renunciation. The country of origin's position should be confirmed before naturalising as a British citizen.

Healthcare planning: the NHS via the IHS or settled status covers most needs. Private medical insurance is sometimes provided as an employee benefit but is not necessary for most healthcare needs.

Using GOV.UK and official sources effectively

GOV.UK as the primary source: the UK government's single online portal for most public services. Immigration Rules, caseworker guidance, current fees and IHS rates, application forms, and updates are all on GOV.UK. The site is the authoritative reference for any current rule or process.

Subscribing to updates: GOV.UK allows email subscriptions to specific topics including immigration. Updates arrive when guidance is amended or new Statements of Changes are published. Practitioners and engaged applicants commonly subscribe.

Statements of Changes (SoCs): published on GOV.UK as PDF documents. Each SoC has a HC number identifying it; recent SoCs HC 590 of 2023, HC 1496 of 2023, HC 246 of 2024 introduced significant changes. The consolidated Immigration Rules on GOV.UK reflect the current text after all SoCs.

Modernised caseworker guidance: published separately from the Rules. Covers practical application; not binding but highly influential. Updates flow through new versions with effective dates.

ONS, HMRC and other primary data: GOV.UK aggregates data from across government. ONS migration statistics, HMRC tax and customs data, sectoral statistics from departments. The data underlies policy decisions and is publicly accessible.

Disclaimer

This article provides general information about UK immigration, tax and consumer matters and is not legal, financial or tax advice. Rules, fees and thresholds change. Always check GOV.UK and the relevant UK regulator before acting, and consider taking professional advice tailored to individual circumstances.

Frequently asked questions

How long until I can get ILR on a UK family visa?

5 years on the 5-year route, 10 years on the 10-year route. The 5-year route is the standard path for applicants meeting all family route requirements; the 10-year route applies where Article 8 considerations support residence despite some requirements not being met.

What is the difference between the 5-year and 10-year family routes?

The 5-year route requires continuous compliance with all family route rules including the minimum income. The 10-year route is available for cases granted on Article 8 grounds where the 5-year rules are not fully met.

Can I switch from the 10-year route to the 5-year route?

Sometimes. Where the applicant later meets the financial requirement on a 5-year route basis, they can apply to switch and start the 5-year clock from that point. The time already spent on the 10-year route does not count towards the 5-year route.

Can I get UK citizenship after a family visa?

Yes. After ILR (5 or 10 years), the applicant can apply for naturalisation. Spouses of British citizens can apply 12 months after ILR; others wait 12 months after ILR plus the residence test (5 years total UK residence).

What if my marriage ends during the family visa route?

The visa is at risk of curtailment as the relationship is no longer subsisting. Domestic violence concession allows ILR for victims of domestic abuse without completing the route. Switching to another route (Skilled Worker, parent route if there are children) may be possible.

Frequently asked questions

How long until I can get ILR on a UK family visa?

5 years on the 5-year route, 10 years on the 10-year route. The 5-year route is the standard path for applicants meeting all family route requirements; the 10-year route applies where Article 8 considerations support residence despite some requirements not being met.

What is the difference between the 5-year and 10-year family routes?

The 5-year route requires continuous compliance with all family route rules including the minimum income. The 10-year route is available for cases granted on Article 8 grounds where the 5-year rules are not fully met.

Can I switch from the 10-year route to the 5-year route?

Sometimes. Where the applicant later meets the financial requirement on a 5-year route basis, they can apply to switch and start the 5-year clock from that point. The time already spent on the 10-year route does not count towards the 5-year route.

Can I get UK citizenship after a family visa?

Yes. After ILR (5 or 10 years), the applicant can apply for naturalisation. Spouses of British citizens can apply 12 months after ILR; others wait 12 months after ILR plus the residence test (5 years total UK residence).

What if my marriage ends during the family visa route?

The visa is at risk of curtailment as the relationship is no longer subsisting. Domestic violence concession allows ILR for victims of domestic abuse without completing the route. Switching to another route (Skilled Worker, parent route if there are children) may be possible.