Life in the UK Test for ILR: What You Need to Know

If you are applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and searching for "the ILR test" — this is it. The Life in the UK Test is the test required for most ILR applications. It is not a separate exam: the Life in the UK Test and the ILR test are the same thing.

This page explains exactly what the test involves for ILR applicants, who needs to take it, who is exempt, and what else you need to meet the ILR requirements.

Do You Need the Life in the UK Test for ILR?

Yes — in most cases. The Life in the UK Test is a legal requirement for Indefinite Leave to Remain applications for anyone who is:

• Aged 18 to 64 (inclusive)
• Applying on the basis of 5 or more years of continuous lawful residence in the UK

You cannot submit your ILR application without a valid pass certificate from the Life in the UK Test. The certificate does not expire once you have passed, but you must pass before applying — you cannot apply first and take the test later.

Who Is Exempt from the Test?

You do not need to take the Life in the UK Test for ILR if you fall into one of these categories:

• Under 18 at the time of application
• 65 or over at the time of application
• You have a long-term physical or mental condition that prevents you from meeting the requirement — this must be supported by a letter from a registered medical practitioner

If you are 65 or over, the exemption is automatic — you do not need to request it or provide evidence. For medical exemptions, the evidence must be submitted with your ILR application.

What the Test Involves

For ILR applicants, the test is the same as for any other candidate:

• 24 multiple-choice questions drawn from the official handbook
• 45 minutes to complete
• 75% pass mark — you need to answer at least 18 out of 24 correctly
• Taken at an official test centre, in person
• £50 per attempt (see our full cost breakdown)
• Results given immediately after the test

The test is based on Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents, 3rd edition — the official handbook published in 2013. All questions are drawn from this book. Roughly one in three candidates fails on their first attempt, so preparation matters.

The English Language Requirement for ILR

Passing the Life in the UK Test is not the only language-related requirement for ILR. You also need to demonstrate English language proficiency separately.

Current requirement: CEFR level B1 (intermediate)

From March 2027: CEFR level B2 (upper intermediate) for most ILR routes

You can meet the English requirement through:

• A recognised English language test (such as IELTS Life Skills, Trinity GESE, or Pearson PTE)
• A degree taught in English (in certain circumstances)
• Nationality — citizens of majority English-speaking countries are usually exempt from the English test

If your ILR application will be submitted after March 2027, you need to plan for B2 rather than B1. B2 is a meaningful step up — the ability to understand complex text and communicate fluently with native speakers.

What Else Does ILR Require?

The Life in the UK Test and English language are two of several ILR requirements. You also need to show:

• Continuous lawful residence — typically 5 years, though the qualifying period varies by visa route
• Absence limit — no more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period during your qualifying period
• Good character — no serious criminal convictions or immigration breaches
• Correct visa route — your visa must be one that leads to ILR (Skilled Worker, Family visa, and others — but not all visa types qualify)

The ILR application fee is currently £2,885 per person. Given this cost, it is worth ensuring you meet all the requirements — including the Life in the UK Test — before submitting.

ILR vs British Citizenship: Do You Need the Test Twice?

No. If you pass the Life in the UK Test for your ILR application, you do not need to take it again for a later British citizenship (naturalisation) application. Your pass certificate remains valid.

However, the English language requirement for naturalisation is assessed separately and may differ from the ILR requirement. Check the current requirements at the time you apply for citizenship.

Changes Coming to ILR: Earned Settlement

The May 2025 Immigration White Paper proposed introducing an earned settlement pathway — a new route to ILR that may come into effect from Autumn 2026. Details of how this affects the Life in the UK Test requirement have not yet been published. Until the new rules are formally announced, the existing ILR requirements remain in force.

How to Prepare

The Life in the UK Test has a failure rate of around 30% — mainly because candidates underestimate it. The 24 questions are drawn from a specific set of facts in the official handbook, and the test is unforgiving on exact figures (dates, numbers, names).

The most effective preparation is timed practice tests, not just reading the handbook. You need to recall specific facts under time pressure, which is different from recognising them on a page.

At UK Test Tutor, you can try a free practice session now — no account needed. For unlimited practice tests and full timed mock exams, our plans start from £3.99/month. Passing first time saves you £50 and potentially weeks of delay to your ILR application.