At First Law Solicitors, we provide expert guidance for individuals and families seeking Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), the foundation of permanent residency in the United Kingdom.
Our solicitors combine precise legal analysis with strategic foresight to help clients achieve long-term settlement, transition to citizenship, and secure their family’s future in the UK.
Every case is prepared with full compliance under the Data Use and Access Act 2025 (DUAA) and the latest Home Office standards for digital filing, eVisa verification, and Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) authentication.
The settlement process has evolved under the Earned Settlement framework, introduced following the 2025 White Paper.
For most employment-based visa holders, the qualifying period for ILR has moved from five years to ten years of continuous lawful residence. This reflects a new government policy that rewards sustained contribution and integration.
Applicants can still qualify sooner under specific exemptions:
Our solicitors guide clients through the correct route based on their visa history, income profile, and contribution record to ensure eligibility under the 2026 Earned Settlement model.
The English Language requirement for settlement remains at CEFR Level B1, verified digitally through DUAA integration with approved testing providers.
However, under the 2026 Earned Settlement system, higher proficiency levels (B2 or C1) can accelerate eligibility.
Applicants who entered the UK on routes that already required B2 (such as Skilled Worker or Scale-up visas issued after January 2026) will automatically exceed the settlement standard when applying for ILR.
This approach reflects the government’s broader integration policy, recognising advanced English skills as a measurable contribution to UK society.
To qualify for ILR, applicants must demonstrate continuous lawful residence, typically limited to 180 days of absence in any twelve-month period.
Since the full rollout of eVisa integration under the Data Use and Access Act 2025, the Home Office no longer relies solely on documentary evidence of travel.
All entry and exit data are automatically cross-referenced against the applicant’s digital immigration record.
If excessive absences or gaps appear, they are immediately flagged during processing.
At First Law Solicitors, we pre-audit every client’s residence history, checking digital entry logs and travel data before submission to ensure there are no inconsistencies that could cause delay or refusal.
The DUAA 2025 modernised immigration processing by linking Home Office systems directly with HMRC, DWP, and approved banking and education databases.
This allows caseworkers to verify employment, income, and residence history instantly through secure digital dashboards.
For settlement applicants, this means all financial and employment disclosures must match official tax and payroll records.
Discrepancies between submitted documents and digital data can result in automatic investigation or administrative delay.
Our solicitors conduct full digital compliance checks before submission, ensuring that each client’s records are synchronised with the Home Office’s DUAA databases.
All supporting documents are digitally verified and authenticated using Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES), ensuring legal traceability and secure encryption.
All ILR applications are now completed online. Applicants verify their identity using the UK Immigration ID Check App, and their immigration status is stored in a secure UKVI digital account.
Physical Biometric Residence Permits have been fully retired since 1 January 2026.
Clients and employers confirm status through digital share codes, accessible directly from the UKVI platform.
Our firm manages every stage of this process, from the digital preparation of forms and supporting evidence to correspondence with the Home Office.
We ensure that every application is consistent, compliant, and strategically presented for prompt approval.
We regularly represent professionals, investors, entrepreneurs, and families with complex immigration histories.
Our solicitors specialise in:
Our legal and compliance teams work collaboratively to ensure each client’s application reflects both technical accuracy and strategic positioning for the future.
Strategic Foresight
We interpret the new Earned Settlement framework to identify accelerated routes for high-value contributors and long-term residents.
Digital Integrity
All filings comply with DUAA 2025 and QES standards, ensuring that submissions are traceable, encrypted, and synchronised with Home Office digital databases.
Tailored Legal Oversight
Each ILR application is reviewed by a senior solicitor with extensive post-qualification experience in settlement and nationality law.
End-to-End Continuity
We provide ongoing guidance from ILR approval through to British citizenship, ensuring that our clients’ long-term residency and nationality goals are fully realised.
For professional assistance with Indefinite Leave to Remain or complex settlement eligibility under the new Earned Settlement framework, contact First Law Solicitors today.
Call 0044 161 224 4066
Complete our secure online enquiry form to schedule a private consultation with one of our immigration solicitors.
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