UK settlement: ILR and settled status · Travel while you wait
ILR pending: can you travel outside the UK?
Short answer
No. While your ILR application is pending, you must not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man — GOV.UK says the application will be withdrawn if you do. A decision usually comes within 6 months of giving your fingerprints and photo, sooner if you pay for priority.
ILR pending: where you can go
The UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man — the Common Travel Area. With your ILR pending, a trip anywhere else before you get a decision withdraws the application. If you urgently need to travel, GOV.UK says to contact UK Visas and Immigration first.
How long the wait is
| Service | Decision |
|---|---|
| Standard | usually within 6 months of your fingerprints and photo |
| Priority service, £500 extra | within 5 working days |
| Super priority service, £1,000 extra | by the end of the next working day |
Complex applications can take longer than 6 months — for example, when documents need checking or you’re asked to an interview.
Trips before you apply
Time abroad before you apply counts toward the limit of 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months. The ILR absences calculator shows how long your trips can be before you file — and the ILR fee is what you pay when you do.
Sources
- GOV.UK — Indefinite leave to remain if you have a Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, T2 or Tier 2 visa
- GOV.UK — Indefinite leave to remain if you have family in the UK: after you apply
FlySee counts days; it doesn’t give immigration advice. Whether you qualify is for you and your adviser.