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ILR and Citizenship Timeline Calculator

How do the GOV.UK time rules for settlement and citizenship work out?

Pick a route, enter the date its qualifying period started, and see the date the published GOV.UK time rule points to. It also lists the requirements each route sets out on GOV.UK and the general steps to British citizenship and a passport. It does the arithmetic only: it does not check eligibility.

  • Free, no sign-up
  • Rules correct as of 21 October 2026
  • Every rule linked to GOV.UK
  • Runs in your browser — nothing you enter is sent or stored
Information only: This free tool gives general information worked out from published GOV.UK rules and the date you enter. It is not legal or immigration advice, it does not check eligibility, and MadyHR.ai is not a law firm or a registered immigration adviser. For advice on your own situation, speak to an adviser registered with the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) or a qualified solicitor. Read the full notice.

Need advice on your own situation? Only a regulated immigration adviser or a solicitor can advise on an individual case. GOV.UK explains how to find one:

Start the calculator ↓
Rules correct as of 21 October 2026. Checked against the GOV.UK settlement and citizenship pages listed under Official sources. Settlement rules are expected to change: the government has consulted on making 10 years the standard wait. What this means for any date shown. If GOV.UK differs from this page, GOV.UK is correct.

Your details

Step 1

Which GOV.UK rule do you want to look at?

Pick the route whose rule you want to see. This tool does not tell you which route is right for you. If you are not sure, see every route to ILR on GOV.UK or ask a regulated adviser.

Route

Settlement (ILR): work and business routes

Settlement (ILR): other routes

Already settled

Information and links only (no date)

Timeline

Your timeline will appear here.

Choose a GOV.UK rule in step 1, enter the date in step 2, then read and tick the confirmation in step 3.

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How the dates are worked out

Every number on this page comes from GOV.UK, with the source shown next to each rule.

  • Calendar years

    The calculator adds the number of years in the rule to the date you enter. A 29 February start moves to 28 February. The Home Office works out the qualifying period from the full immigration history, so its date can differ.

    Source: Calculating your continuous period in the UK

  • The 28-day window

    Most GOV.UK settlement pages say the earliest you can apply is 28 days before meeting the time requirement, and that earlier applications may be refused. The long residence and EU Settlement Scheme pages do not describe this window.

    Sources: Skilled Worker ILR, Long residence

  • The rule on the day of applying

    An application is decided under the rules in force when it is made. If the rules change before then, a date from this calculator can stop being right. The calculator stops showing dates 30 days after the rules were last checked.

    Source: Immigration Rules: statements of changes

Note: the date to enter is the start of the continuous qualifying period. How that start is worked out depends on the full immigration history, and GOV.UK explains it in calculating your continuous period in the UK.

Settlement and citizenship time rules at a glance

The main time rules, with the GOV.UK page each comes from. The full requirements for each route are on its page.

Main time rules — checked on 21 October 2026
RouteTime in the ruleEarliest application on GOV.UKSource
Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Tier 25 years28 days beforeSkilled Worker ILR
Global Talent3 or 5 years, depending on endorsement28 days beforeGlobal Talent ILR
Innovator Founder3 years28 days beforeInnovator Founder ILR
Scale-up Worker5 years28 days beforeScale-up ILR
Partner on a family visa5 or 10 years28 days beforePartner ILR
Long residence10 yearsNo early window describedLong residence
British National (Overseas)5 years28 days beforeBN(O) settlement
UK Ancestry5 years28 days beforeAncestry ILR
EU Settlement Scheme (pre-settled to settled)5 years' continuous residenceOnce eligible; may be converted automatically; freeEUSS settled status
British citizenship after ILR or settled status5 years in the UK and 12 months with ILR or settled status—Citizenship with ILR
British citizenship, spouse of a British citizen3 years in the UK, no 12-month wait—Citizenship as a spouse

Settlement rules are expected to change

The government consulted on "earned settlement", which proposes a standard 10-year wait for settlement in place of 5 years, with time added or taken off for different people. The consultation closed on 12 February 2026 and the government says it is analysing the feedback. It is not yet part of the Immigration Rules. GOV.UK: Earned settlement consultation

The consultation paper proposes applying the changes to everyone in the UK who does not already have ILR, and asks whether there should be transitional arrangements for people already on a route to settlement. It says people who already hold settled status are out of scope. GOV.UK: A Fairer Pathway to Settlement

What this means for any date on this page: the rule that counts is the one in force on the day an application is made. Check GOV.UK statements of changes before relying on any date.

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Frequently asked questions

Is this calculator immigration advice?

No. It applies the time rules published on GOV.UK to the date you type and shows the general requirements each route lists. It does not look at anyone's individual case. MadyHR.ai is not registered with the Immigration Advice Authority. For advice on your own situation, speak to a regulated adviser or a qualified solicitor.

Sources: Find an immigration adviser, IAA Adviser Finder

Where can I get advice on my own case?

GOV.UK says immigration advisers must be registered with the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) or belong to an approved professional body, such as solicitors. You can search the IAA register with its Adviser Finder. Advisers can help with forms and represent you, but they do not make immigration decisions.

Sources: Find an immigration adviser, IAA Adviser Finder, Information for advice seekers

Does it check whether someone is eligible for ILR?

No. It does not ask about time abroad, salary, English, the Life in the UK Test or immigration history. It shows those requirements as GOV.UK lists them, with a link to each. Only the Home Office decides whether someone qualifies.

Why is the date 28 days earlier than 5 years?

Most GOV.UK settlement pages say the earliest you can apply is 28 days before meeting the time requirement, and that applying earlier may lead to refusal. The calculator shows both dates: when that window opens and when the full period completes.

Source: ILR with a Skilled Worker visa

What date should be entered?

The start of the continuous qualifying period for the route. How that start is worked out depends on the full immigration history, including which visas count. GOV.UK explains it in its guidance on calculating the continuous period.

Source: Calculating your continuous period in the UK

Does time as a dependant count towards Skilled Worker settlement?

GOV.UK says time spent in the UK as a partner or child on a visa (a dependant) does not count towards the 5 years on the Skilled Worker route.

Source: Skilled Worker ILR: time in the UK

What happens if the settlement rules change?

An application is decided under the rules in force when it is made. The government has consulted on a 10-year standard wait and proposed applying it to people already in the UK without ILR. Until new rules are published, GOV.UK still shows the current periods. This calculator stops showing dates when its rules are out of date.

Source: Earned settlement consultation

Why is there no date for refugees, stateless people or Ukraine schemes?

These routes have their own rules, and some changed in 2026. The calculator shows the GOV.UK pages for them instead of working out a date.

What happens to the date I enter?

Nothing leaves your device. The calculator runs in your browser and does not save or send what you type.

Is this calculator official?

No. It is a free, independent MadyHR.ai tool. It is not a Home Office, UKVI or GOV.UK service. If GOV.UK differs from this page, GOV.UK is correct.

Important: please read

This calculator gives general information only. It applies the time rules published on GOV.UK to the date you enter and shows the general requirements each route lists. It does not look at anyone's individual case, does not say whether anyone is eligible, which route to use or what to do, and a date shown here is not a decision. It is not legal or immigration advice.

MadyHR.ai is HR software. It is not a law firm and is not registered with the Immigration Advice Authority to give immigration advice or services. Immigration rules, fees and figures change, sometimes at short notice and sometimes for people already in the UK. We followed GOV.UK as it stood on 21 October 2026 and this page may not be updated straight away.

No liability. To the extent the law allows, MadyHR.ai accepts no responsibility or liability for any loss, cost, refused application or other consequence of relying on this calculator, including where a rule, fee or figure has changed. Nothing here limits any liability that cannot be limited by law. See our resources disclaimer.

Before applying or paying any fee, check the latest guidance on GOV.UK, or get advice on your own case from an adviser registered with the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) (search the IAA Adviser Finder) or a qualified solicitor.

Official sources

Every rule this calculator uses comes from the GOV.UK pages below. Checked on 21 October 2026. Fees are those in force from 8 April 2026. If a page has changed since, the newer version applies.

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