Guidance and regulation

For visa or citizenship applications, you may need to prove your knowledge of English by passing a secure English language test (SELT).

• From: UK Visas and Immigration
• Updated: 22 April 2024

Information about what it means to have indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK, also known as settlement.

• From: UK Visas and Immigration
• Updated: 4 November 2021

Immigration staff guidance explaining how to calculate the 5 year continuous lawful period in the UK requirement for an applicant.

• From: UK Visas and Immigration
• Updated: 23 December 2022

• Indefinite leave to remain: calculating continuous period in UK (accessible)

  Version 22.0 About this guidance This guidance tells you how to calculate…

These full terms and conditions explain the applicant’s obligations and what they can expect when booking and taking the Life in the UK Test.

• From: UK Visas and Immigration
• Updated: 9 March 2022

Immigration staff guidance for considering applications from people who have been victims of domestic violence.

• From: UK Visas and Immigration
• Updated: 4 April 2024

Immigration staff guidance on the knowledge of language and life in the UK requirement.

• From: UK Visas and Immigration
• Updated: 24 November 2022

Immigration staff guidance on how to consider applications from people applying on the basis of long residence in the UK.

• From: UK Visas and Immigration
• Updated: 11 April 2024

Customer service standards for settlement applications for the UK.

• From: UK Visas and Immigration
• Updated: 22 May 2023

This guidance explains full details of eligibility for the Windrush Scheme.

• From: Home Office and 1 others
• Updated: 24 October 2023

Immigration staff guidance for assessing applications where the individual is claiming right of abode in the UK.

• From: UK Visas and Immigration
• Updated: 23 June 2023

A user guide to Home Office immigration system statistics.

• From: Home Office
• Updated: 29 February 2024

UK Visas and Immigration settlement application guidance on civil partners.

• From: UK Visas and Immigration
• Updated: 6 July 2012

Immigration staff guidance on the discretionary policy in place for those discharged from the British Army, Brigade of Gurkhas prior to 1 July 1997.

• From: UK Visas and Immigration
• Updated: 5 October 2023

Immigration staff guidance on revoking indefinite leave.

• From: UK Visas and Immigration
• Updated: 18 October 2023

Guidance for local authorities and health and social care trusts to make sure looked-after children and care leavers apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

• From: Home Office and 1 others
• Updated: 4 May 2020

Reference guide with explanatory notes on issues and classifications.

• From: Home Office
• Updated: 29 February 2024

Information about the 5 July 2013 High Court judgment on the minimum income for spouses, partners and children applying to stay or settle in the UK.

• From: UK Visas and Immigration
• Updated: 16 July 2014

Immigration staff guidance on when to vary a settlement application and grant permission to stay.

• From: UK Visas and Immigration
• Updated: 24 June 2022

Guidance on how arrangements for Tier 2 of the points-based system operate.

• From: UK Visas and Immigration
• Updated: 1 February 2011

Changes introduced by Home Office statisticians to a wide range of UK migration statistics.

• From: Home Office
• Updated: 29 February 2024