UK immigration, explained in plain English

The Immigration Rules run to over a thousand pages and change several times a year. These guides set out what actually matters for each visa, for settlement and for citizenship: who qualifies, what it costs, how long it takes, and the mistakes that get applications refused. Every figure is checked against gov.uk, with the date shown.

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Skilled Worker visaThe main work visa. Sponsored job at RQF level 6, salary thresholds, fees, dependants and the path to ILR.UK Spouse and Partner visaJoining a British or settled partner: income threshold, relationship evidence, fees, and the five-year route to settlement.Indefinite leave to remain (ILR)The settlement application: qualifying periods by route, the tests you need, the fee and the timeline.Applying for British citizenship by naturalisationFrom settled status to a British passport: the residence rules, good character, the fee and the ceremony.How the Life in the UK test works24 questions, 45 minutes, 18 right to pass. What the test covers and who is exempt.UK visa fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge and processing timesAll the main fees in one table, plus the health surcharge, priority services and how long each decision normally takes.

Browse by topic

UK visasWork, family, study and visitor routes: who qualifies, what it costs, how long it takes and what you can do once you are here. 14 guides. Settlement (ILR)Indefinite leave to remain: the qualifying period, the continuous-residence rules, the application and what settlement gives you. 4 guides. British citizenshipNaturalising as a British citizen: residence requirements, good character, the ceremony and your first passport. 4 guides. Life in the UK testHow the test works, how to book it, what it covers and free practice questions. 3 guides. EmployersSponsoring workers from overseas: the licence, the Certificate of Sponsorship, the charges and your duties. 2 guides. ILR date calculatorEnter your start date and trips abroad: your earliest settlement date, the 180-day rule checked for every rolling year, and the citizenship limits. Visa cost calculatorFees and health surcharge for you and your family, by route and length, and the running total through settlement and citizenship. Free practice test24 questions, 45 minutes, in the format of the real Life in the UK test, with an explanation for every answer. Find a regulated adviserWho is legally allowed to advise you, how to check the register, what to expect to pay, and the warning signs of a bad adviser.

How to use this site

If you are planning a move, start with the visa guides and the fees table. If you are already here and counting down to settlement, the ILR guide and the 180-day rule are the two pages that matter most. Once you are settled, the citizenship guides take you to a British passport.

We are not immigration advisers and this site cannot tell you what to do in your own case. What it can do is make sure you walk into a conversation with an adviser, or into your own application, knowing the rules, the costs and the right questions. When you do need advice, our guide to finding a regulated adviser explains who is allowed to give it and what it should cost.

Rules change. The government's May 2025 white paper set out the biggest reform of work and settlement routes in a decade, and the changes are arriving in stages. Our rule-changes page tracks what has taken effect and what is still planned.