How long does ILR take on a spouse visa? Processing times explained
ILR on the spouse/partner route normally takes up to 6 months on the standard service, which is the official guideline the Home Office aims to meet. In practice, many applicants report a decision sooner. If you need certainty fast, the super priority service targets a decision by the end of the next working day after your biometrics. This post explains the official targets, the faster paid options, and what can push a decision past the headline timeframe.
- Standard service: usually a decision within 6 months of a valid application.
- Super priority service: +£1,000; usually a decision by the end of the next working day after biometrics.
- Priority service: +£500; usually a decision within 5 working days (where available).
- Application fee: £3,226 per person; biometrics are free.
- Form: partner-route ILR is the SET(M) application, made online inside the UK.
The standard service: up to 6 months
For partner-route ILR, GOV.UK states plainly: "You'll usually get a decision within 6 months if you apply using the standard service." That 6-month window is the Home Office's published service target, measured from when you submit a valid application.
Two things are worth underlining. First, 6 months is the maximum the standard service aims for, not a typical wait. Second, the clock depends on your application being complete and valid. A missing document or unpaid fee can mean your application isn't treated as valid straight away, which delays the start of the count.
In community forums, applicants on the standard service frequently report decisions in 3 to 4 months. That matches a lot of real-world experience, but it is anecdotal and varies case by case. Treat it as encouraging context, not a promise.
The 6-month figure is an official target, and the faster timeframes are guidelines that depend on appointment availability and case complexity. None of them is a contractual guarantee. Plan around the official window, and treat quicker community timings as a hopeful bonus rather than something to rely on.
Faster options: super priority and priority
If you can't wait months, GOV.UK offers two paid upgrades on top of the standard fee.
The super priority service costs an extra £1,000. GOV.UK says you'll "usually get a decision by the end of the next working day" after your biometrics appointment. This is the option most spouse-route applicants choose when they need speed, and it lines up with what people report: a decision landing the working day after biometrics.
The priority service costs an extra £500 and usually returns a decision "within 5 working days." Availability for in-UK settlement applications can be limited, so it isn't always offered at booking. Whether you see priority, super priority, or both depends on the slots available when you submit.
Both upgrades are added during the online application or when you book your biometrics appointment, and they don't change the eligibility rules — only the speed of the decision.
What can slow a decision down
Even with the standard target in mind, some cases run longer. The most common reasons are:
- Further evidence requests. If a caseworker needs more documentation — for example on your relationship, finances, or accommodation — they may write to you, and the clock effectively pauses while you respond.
- Complex history. Previous refusals, gaps in lawful residence, extensive travel, or anything that needs extra checks can extend the timeline beyond 6 months.
- Validity issues. An incomplete application, an unpaid fee, or missing biometrics can delay when your case is formally accepted.
The best defence is a clean, fully evidenced application. Make sure you've met the continuous residence requirement and passed (or are exempt from) the Life in the UK test before you apply — knowledge requirement gaps are an avoidable cause of friction. You can prepare for that part with realistic practice on britpass.app.
Plan your timing around the window
Because standard decisions can take up to 6 months, timing matters. You can apply for ILR up to 28 days before you meet the qualifying residence period, which gives you a buffer if you're on the standard service. If your current leave is close to expiry and you want certainty, super priority is the usual choice.
For a deeper look at when to submit relative to your visa expiry, see our guide on when to apply for ILR on a spouse visa. And if your application has already gone past the expected timeframe, read what to do when your super priority ILR is taking longer than expected.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Service standards and fees can change, so always check the current figures on GOV.UK before you apply, and consider a qualified immigration adviser for complex cases.