Indefinite Leave to Remain is a form of settlement status for non-EEA citizens who have spent a certain period of time living in the UK.

Indefinite Leave to Remain allows a person with entry clearance to live, work and study in the UK without immigration restrictions. It also acts as a prerequisite towards naturalisation and British citizenship.

Typically, a non-EEA person can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after five years of lawful residence in the UK. However, the minimum time an individual must have spent in the UK before applying for UK Indefinite Leave to Remain depends on the particular visa they have been living under and/or their particular living situation.

Those applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain may in turn be eligible to apply for naturalisation to become British citizens in the future or to apply for a British passport, which again, allows a person to live free of UK immigration rules.