What should I do first when I arrive in the UK on my visa?

Register with a local GP practice, which takes around 15 minutes and is usually confirmed within about 5 days, apply for a National Insurance number if you do not already have one, and open a bank account, often a digital bank as a bridge before you have proof of address for a traditional one. Official source: NHS.UK and GOV.UK, Using the NHS when you return to live in the UK. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

How do I get a National Insurance number?

You apply online once you are physically in the UK, through the government's National Insurance number service. Some visas include a number automatically, so check your visa paperwork first before applying separately. Official source: GOV.UK, Apply for a National Insurance number. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Can I open a UK bank account without proof of address?

Traditional banks often ask for proof of address, which new arrivals rarely have. Many people use a digital bank such as Monzo, Revolut, or Starling in the meantime, since these commonly accept a passport plus immigration documents instead of a utility bill. Requirements vary by provider, so check the current position with the bank you are considering.

What is right to rent and does it apply to me?

Landlords in England must check the immigration status of everyone aged 18 or over before a tenancy starts. If your visa is time limited, this check is repeated within 28 days of the tenancy starting. Most people confirm their status through the GOV.UK online service, which produces a share code valid for 90 days. Official source: GOV.UK, View a tenant's right to rent details. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

How long does it take to get indefinite leave to remain?

The current standard qualifying period for most visa categories is 5 years of continuous UK residence, though this is under active government review and could change for people who have not yet reached it. Within that period, you generally cannot spend more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month window. Official source: GOV.UK, Indefinite leave to remain. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

How much does the ILR application cost?

The ILR fee is £3,226 per applicant, effective from 8 April 2026, with no fee waiver for financial hardship. On top of that, most applicants also need to pass the Life in the UK test, which costs £50. Official source: GOV.UK, Home Office immigration and nationality fees, 8 April 2026, and GOV.UK, Life in the UK test. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

How long does ILR processing take?

Standard processing typically takes around 6 months after your biometrics appointment. A priority service is available for an extra £500, aiming for around 5 working days, and a super priority service for an extra £1,000 aims for a decision by the next working day, subject to availability. Official source: GOV.UK, Get a faster decision on your visa or settlement application. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

What is the Life in the UK test and who needs to take it?

It is a 24-question, 45-minute test required for anyone aged 18 to 64, unless exempt, before applying for ILR or citizenship. You need a 75% pass mark, and you must book your test slot at least 3 days ahead. It costs £50. Official source: GOV.UK, Life in the UK test. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Can I lose my ILR once I have it?

Yes. ILR lapses if you are outside the UK continuously for 2 years or more. This is one reason it is worth applying for citizenship once you are eligible, since citizenship does not lapse through absence in the same way. Official source: GOV.UK, Indefinite leave to remain. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

How soon after getting ILR can I apply for British citizenship?

You generally need to have held ILR or settled status for a period, commonly cited as around 12 months, and show 5 years of UK presence before your application date, or 3 years if you are the spouse or partner of a British citizen. Confirm the exact requirement for your situation on GOV.UK, since this is the well-established standard rather than a figure fixed in every case. Official source: GOV.UK, Apply to naturalise as a British citizen. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

How much does British citizenship cost?

The naturalisation application costs £1,839 in total from 8 April 2026, made up of a £1,709 application fee and a £130 citizenship ceremony fee, non-refundable even if refused. You also pay separately for the Life in the UK test, £50, and, unless exempt, a Secure English Language Test, typically £150 to £250. Official source: GOV.UK, Apply to naturalise as a British citizen. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Is the 5-year path to ILR going to change?

It might. The Home Office ran a consultation called A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, from 20 November 2025 to 12 February 2026, proposing to replace automatic settlement with an earned model based on character, integration, contribution, and residence, with a baseline qualifying period proposed to rise from 5 years to 10 years for most migrants. As of 17 July 2026, no draft Immigration Rules have been published and the current 5-year rule remains fully in force, so this is a proposal under review, not a confirmed change. Official source: GOV.UK, Earned settlement consultation. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Do my partner and children have the same ILR and citizenship timeline as me?

Not necessarily. Dependants on the same visa route generally build their own qualifying period, usually tied to the date their own dependant visa was granted rather than yours, so their ILR and citizenship dates can land at a different time from your own even if you arrived together. This varies by route and by individual circumstances, and it was not independently verified for this page, so treat it as a general pointer rather than a rule, and check your family's specific position on GOV.UK or with a qualified immigration adviser.

Does eMigr8 give legal or immigration advice on relocation and settlement?

No. We give coaching, profile review, and guidance to help you plan your relocation and settlement timeline. We do not give legal advice or immigration consultation, and settlement rules are currently under government review, so always confirm anything material with GOV.UK or a qualified immigration adviser.

UK Relocation, Integration and Settlement (Post Visa Approval to ILR)

Getting a UK visa is one milestone. This guide covers what to do in your first weeks in the UK, registering with a GP, getting a National Insurance number, opening a bank account, and understanding right to rent, then walks through the full route to indefinite leave to remain and British citizenship.

Who it is for

Anyone who has just received a UK visa approval, people already living in the UK who want to understand the path to ILR, applicants close to their five-year residence mark, and people who already hold ILR working out when they can naturalise.

How eMigr8 helps

A relocation checklist built around your timeline, help tracking your qualifying period against the 180-day absence rule, and coaching that stays current on the settlement rules under government review. eMigr8 provides coaching and guidance, not legal advice or immigration consultation.

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