Tier 2 - general
Settlement
This page explains how you can apply to live permanently in the United Kingdom (known as 'settlement' or 'indefinite leave to remain') if you are here as a skilled worker under Tier 2 General of the points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.
On this page
Full details of these requirements are in the immigration rules at paragraph 245ZH, which you can find on the right of this page. You must read the policy guidance before you apply under this category. You can download the guidance and application form from the Applying section.
How many years you must be in the United Kingdom before applying for settlement
You must meet all the requirements of the immigration rules at the time you apply for settlement.
At the moment, you must have been in the United Kingdom for a continuous time of five years in an eligible immigration category before you can apply for settlement.
The immigration rules may change and you must meet the rules that are in place at the time that you apply for settlement.
You should apply using the SET(O) form, which you can download from the right side of this page.
What you need to be able to apply for settlement
The sponsor that gave you the certificate of sponsorship for the job you got your last permission of stay for must either:
- certify in writing that they still need you in the job; or
- give you a new certificate of sponsorship for your settlement application.
You must have enough English language skills and enough knowledge about life in the United Kingdom, in line with paragraphs 245ZH of the immigration rules, unless you are under 18 years old or over 65 years old when you apply.
What immigration category you must be in to apply for settlement
The five year continuous time in the United Kingdom can include any time you spent under any of the following immigration categories you were in before tier 2 of the points-based system:
- a member of the operational ground staff of an overseas-owned airline,
- a minister of religion, missionary or member of a religious order,
- a qualifying work permit holder,
- a representative of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation,
- a highly skilled worker, investor or entrepreneur in tier 1.
How your dependants can apply for settlement
Your dependants are eligible to apply for settlement at the same time as you, as long as they have lived with you in the United Kingdom for a minimum of two years before applying for settlement.
Your children are eligible to apply for settlement at the same time as you, as long as they meet the requirements of the immigration rules.
Application forms
Permanent residence in the United Kingdom in an employment or other category listed on the form
- Form SET(O) PDF 1.0M opens in a new window
- Guide SET(O) PDF 65K opens in a new window
- Photo guidancePDF 325K opens in a new window