Life After an IVA: What to Expect Once It Completes
Published 6th November 2026·Updated 6 November 2026
Reviewed by: Reviewed for accuracy November 2026
When your IVA completes, your insolvency practitioner (IP) issues a certificate of completion and writes off all remaining included debts. This is a legally binding write-off: creditors cannot pursue you for those debts again. The IVA stays on your credit file for six years from its start date, not its completion date, so the clock has usually been running for most of that period already.
The short answer
What happens when your IVA ends:
- Your IP issues a certificate of completion confirming the arrangement is closed.
- All remaining included debts are legally written off.
- Your IVA is removed from the Individual Insolvency Register within three months of completion.
- The IVA stays on your credit file for six years from the start date, then drops off automatically.
- You can begin rebuilding your credit score immediately after completion.
What is a certificate of IVA completion?
A certificate of completion is the formal document your IP issues when you have made all required payments and met all obligations under your IVA. It confirms the arrangement is finished and that your included creditors have no further legal claim against you for those debts.
Your IP should send you the certificate within a few weeks of your final payment. If you do not receive it, contact your IP directly. Keep this document - you may need it as proof if a creditor incorrectly pursues you for a debt that was included in your IVA.
When does the IVA come off your credit file?
The IVA drops off your credit file automatically six years after the date it started, not the date it completed. This matters because a standard five-year IVA that started in November 2021 will be removed from your credit file in November 2027, even if you completed payments in November 2026.
Credit reference agencies - Experian, Equifax and TransUnion - each hold a copy of your IVA record and remove it at the six-year mark without you needing to request it. If the IVA has not disappeared from your file after six years, you can dispute it directly with the credit reference agency.
| IVA start date | Credit file clearance date |
|---|---|
| January 2020 | January 2026 |
| January 2021 | January 2027 |
| January 2022 | January 2028 |
| January 2023 | January 2029 |
| January 2024 | January 2030 |
What happens to the Insolvency Register after completion?
The Individual Insolvency Register is a public database maintained by the Insolvency Service. While your IVA is active, it is listed there with your name, address and IP's details. Within three months of your IP issuing the certificate of completion, the Insolvency Service removes your IVA from the register.
You can check the register at gov.uk to confirm your removal. This is worth doing a few months after completion to make sure the update has been processed correctly.
How do you rebuild your credit score after an IVA?
Your credit score will be very low when your IVA completes. This is normal. The most effective steps to rebuild it are:
Register on the electoral roll. If you are not already registered at your current address, do this immediately at gov.uk/register-to-vote. It is free and has a quick positive effect on your credit score.
Get a credit builder card. Cards from Aqua, Capital One or Vanquis are designed for people with poor credit histories. Use it for small purchases only and pay the full balance every month. Never carry a balance - the interest rates are high (30-60% APR), and the goal is the credit history record, not the borrowing.
Keep credit utilisation low. If you have a credit card with a £200 limit, keep the balance below £60. High utilisation signals financial stress to lenders.
Pay everything on time. Set up direct debits for any new credit products. One missed payment after an IVA will significantly slow your rebuild.
According to StepChange, most people see meaningful credit score improvement within 12-18 months of consistent, responsible credit use after an IVA ends.
Can you get a mortgage after an IVA?
Getting a mainstream mortgage is very difficult while the IVA is on your credit file (the first six years). After the six-year mark, the IVA no longer appears and mainstream lenders can consider your application.
Some specialist adverse credit lenders will consider mortgage applications while the IVA is on file, particularly if it has been completed for two or more years. However, they charge significantly higher interest rates and require larger deposits (typically 15-25%).
A realistic mortgage timeline for most people after a completed IVA:
- During the first six years: specialist lenders only, higher rates, large deposit needed
- After six years: mainstream lenders possible once you have rebuilt credit score
- Typically two to three years after the six-year mark before competitive mortgage rates are available
Can you open a new bank account after an IVA?
Yes. Some mainstream banks may decline a current account application while the IVA is on your credit file, as they treat it like any other credit application. If a standard current account is declined, open a basic bank account - all major banks are required to offer these to anyone legally resident in the UK. Basic accounts do not include an overdraft, which is a good thing while you are rebuilding your finances anyway.
Monzo, Starling and other app-based banks typically have more lenient approval criteria and may accept you during the IVA period or immediately after.
FAQ
What happens to debts that were included in my IVA?
They are legally written off when you receive your certificate of completion. Your creditors cannot pursue you for these debts again. If a creditor contacts you after completion about a debt that was included in your IVA, send them a copy of your certificate of completion.
Can I travel abroad after my IVA completes?
Yes. An IVA does not restrict your travel during or after the arrangement. If you held a passport during the IVA, you can continue using it. Some countries require a visa, and a completed IVA will not automatically disqualify you, though some visa applications do ask about insolvency history.
Will employers be able to see my completed IVA?
The Individual Insolvency Register is public, but employers rarely check it. After your IVA is removed from the register (within three months of completion), it will not appear in a standard internet search. Some regulated roles in finance, law and insurance may still ask about historical insolvency on application forms - read each form carefully.
Can I save money after completing my IVA?
Yes. Once your IVA is complete, you are free to save as much as you want without reporting it to anyone. During the IVA, any savings above a small threshold might have been treated as available funds, but this obligation ends when you receive the certificate of completion.
Is there a check-in period after the IVA ends?
No. Once your IP issues the certificate of completion, your obligations to the IP are finished. You do not need to report income, windfalls or financial changes to anyone. You are free to manage your own money as you choose.
What if my IVA failed before completion?
If your IVA failed and was not completed, the write-off does not apply. Creditors can still pursue the original debts. The IVA will still appear on your credit file for six years from its start date. Contact StepChange or Citizens Advice to understand your options, which may include bankruptcy or attempting a new IVA.