Settlement for Gurkhas

This page explains the current requirements that former Gurkhas must meet if they want to settle permanently in the UK.

Any Gurkha who has served in the British Army for at least four years can apply for permission to settle here (known as 'indefinite leave to remain').

If the Gurkha has a partner (spouse, civil partner or unmarried/same-sex partner) and/or dependent children under the age of 18, they can apply for settlement at the same time. They are known as 'dependants'.

The Gurkha Settlement Office (GSO) in Nepal can provide assistance about settlement to former Gurkhas and their eligible dependants. For more information about the GSO and how to apply for settlement, you can download the settlement guidance from the right side of this page.

The 'Life in the UK' booklet, which you can also download from the right side of this page, contains information to help former Gurkhas prepare for their arrival in the UK.

Indefinite leave to remain (often known as 'ILR' and 'settlement') is permission to remain in the UK without any time restrictions on the length of stay. It is not the same as naturalisation as a British citizen and may, in specific circumstances, be ceased or invalidated, for example, if a fraudulent application is uncovered, if the person resides outside of the UK for more than 2 years or as a result of a criminal conviction that results in a Deportation Order coming into force.