The UK offers a wealth of opportunities in terms of career and family life. Many people come to the UK with the end goal of living in the country and getting indefinite leave to remain (ILR) to make the UK their permanent home.
It might be difficult to figure out what exactly an indefinite leave to remain means. In this article, we鈥檙e going to explain what ILR is and how you can qualify for one. We鈥檝e also added the required documents, and information on the application process.
What You’ll Find in This Article
- What Does Indefinite Leave To Remain Mean
- Who Is Eligible for Indefinite Leave To Remain
- Benefits of ILR
- Requirements of ILR Application
- ILR Application Process
- From ILR to British Citizenship
What Is Indefinite Leave To Remain
Indefinite leave to remain (ILR), which is also known as 鈥淧ermanent Residence鈥�, is for foreign nationals who are granted indefinite leave to live 91视频下载APP. An ILR provides you with permanent residency status 91视频下载APP.
It’s the first step for a foreigner who is in the country on a visa and wants to become a British citizen through naturalization. It also allows foreign nationals to work without restriction 91视频下载APP.
In most cases, you鈥檙e required to have lived 91视频下载APP for at least five years before qualifying for indefinite leave to remain. In some cases, you can qualify after three or even two years.
Who Is Eligible to Apply for Indefinite Leave To Remain UK
Your eligibility for indefinite leave to remain is determined by the category under which you鈥檙e applying. For example, if you鈥檝e lawfully resided 91视频下载APP for 10 years, you can be eligible for ILR. Time spent working or living 91视频下载APP with family can also count towards ILR eligibility. Most ILR routes have a minimum residency requirement; for example, to apply for ILR on the basis of a spousal visa, you must have been living 91视频下载APP for five years, in addition to completing the other conditions.
You can be eligible for indefinite leave to remain if:
- You currently hold a working visa under the old or new points-based system (PBS)
- You currently hold a dependent visa or a family visa
- You鈥檙e a long-term resident of the UK
Routes to ILR UK
Living 91视频下载APP under the form of a settlement visa might make you eligible for indefinite leave to remain after you鈥檝e completed the minimum stay requirement for your visa type.
We鈥檝e listed below some visas that can lead to ilr:
- Family Visa
- Global Talent Visa
- Investor Visa (Tier 1)
- Innovator Visa
- Intra-Company Transfer Visa
- Long residence
- Minister of Religion Visa (T2)
- Retired Person Visa
- Returning resident
- Skilled Worker Visa
- Sportsperson Visa (T2)
- Spouse Visa
- Startup Visa
- Unmarried Partner Visa
- UK Ancestry Visa
Benefits of Indefinite Leave To Remain Status
Indefinite leave to remain not only allows you to live and work 91视频下载APP without being subject to immigration controls, but it also has a number of other advantages, such as access to public funds and free healthcare. It also serves as a route to British citizenship and allows you to bring family members to the UK.
Here are some highlights of having ilr status:
- Opportunity to advance your status in the country
- Freely work 91视频下载APP without restrictions
- Extension of indefinite leave to remain 91视频下载APP to your spouse and children
- Access to health care and public funds
Requirements for UK Indefinite Leave To Remain
As per the indefinite leave to remain UK rules, the general requirements are as follows:
- You鈥檝e been lawfully living 91视频下载APP for a certain period of time
- You can prove your English language proficiency with an accepted English language degree or pass an accredited English language test
- You鈥檝e not breached any of the immigration laws during your stay 91视频下载APP and you have no criminal record
- You鈥檝e passed the 鈥淟ife 91视频下载APP鈥� test, which is a test based on British culture, history, and traditions
- You鈥檙e able to prove your English proficiency
If your stay 91视频下载APP is under a category that qualifies for indefinite leave to remain after five years, you can make an application after you complete the five-year residence period.
Some routes may allow for a shorter qualifying term, such as Investor Visa UK. With this type, you can be eligible for ILR only after two years if you make the qualifying investment.
If you鈥檙e going to apply for ILR UK on the basis of 鈥淟ong Residence鈥� your lawful residence in the country should be 10 years (accumulated).
Note that if you live outside the UK for more than two years, your ILR status may be canceled.
Periods of Absence
The general requirement for ilr eligibility is that you鈥檝e not spent more than 180 days outside the United Kingdom in a 12-month period.
There are several exceptions to this regulation, such as if you were away from the UK on business or due to unforeseen circumstances. If you think you鈥檒l need to travel out of the country on a frequent basis, it鈥檚 going to be useful to discuss your situation with your legal advisor beforehand.
English Language Requirements for ILR UK
When you鈥檙e making your ILR application, you鈥檒l be required to prove that you meet the English language requirement. The minimum level is B1, in both speaking and listening. For this, you can get a language certificate from an approved provider.
The citizens of some English-speaking countries are 鈥渦sually鈥� exempt from the language requirement. These countries include:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Canada
- Grenada
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- Ireland
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- USA
In addition, you鈥檒l not be required to meet the English language requirement if:
- You鈥檙e over the age of 65
- You hold a degree from an accredited educational institution where you were taught English
- You鈥檙e under humanitarian protection
- You鈥檙e a victim of domestic abuse
- Your deceased partner/spouse was a British citizen or had settled status
Life 91视频下载APP Test
The Life 91视频下载APP test is a key necessity of the ilr uk application. This test is centered on British culture, history, and traditions. There are 24 randomly generated questions that you鈥檒l be expected to answer in 45 minutes. The minimum score you need to get is 75 percent to pass the test.
The fee for the test is 拢50. If you fail the test, you can retake it after seven days. Those aged 18 and under, as well as those aged 65 and up, will not be required to take the test.
Also, if someone obtains a doctor’s written certification of a long-term physical or mental condition, they are usually exempted from the exam.
List of Documents for UK Indefinite Leave To Remain Application
When filing for ILR, you will need to present the following documents in general. Note that we鈥檝e listed the documents for illustrative purposes and exact documentation might differ depending on your current visa type.
In general, you鈥檒l need to present the following:
- Passport
- Visa for evidence of your current leave to remain
- Proof of previous absences from the UK
- Payslips from your employer, ensuring you meet the minimum income requirements (if applicable)
- English language level certificate
- Life 91视频下载APP test results
- Photos
How To Apply for Indefinite Leave To Remain UK
The UK indefinite leave to remain applications are completed online. You may choose the form based on your immigration category.
The two most common forms that are used for ILR applications are Form Set (O) and Form Set (M). If you鈥檙e applying as a partner of someone, or if you鈥檙e the parent of a child who has 鈥渟ettled鈥� status 91视频下载APP, you鈥檒l need to fill in the Form Set (M).
For all other ILR applications, you can use the Form Set (O) and Form Set (LR).
Things You Can Do If Your Application for Indefinite Leave To Remain Is Refused
First, you need to understand why your application was turned down. In the refusal letter, the grounds for the refusal will be outlined. If an application has an obvious error, the best solution is to resubmit the application with the errors corrected.
However, if you believe your application was wrongfully denied, appealing the decision is another option.
Refusal of an application can be quite upsetting. This is why working with a team of legal advisors is important as they will assist you throughout the entire procedure.
Indefinite Leave To Remain UK Application Cost
Leave to remain UK application fee is 拢2,389, excluding the mandatory 拢19.20 biometric enrolment fees. Super priority processing (24 hours) may cost an additional 拢800 and 拢500 for priority processing (five days).
How Long Does the Process of UK Indefinite Leave to Remain Application Take
The leave to remain UK application service may take up to six months. You may pay additional fees for priority processing.
Biometric Residence Permit With ILR UK
As a part of the indefinite leave to remain application process, biometrics enrollment is required. When your ILR is approved, a biometric residence permit (BRP) will be issued for you.
Your BRP will serve to confirm your identity and your right to study, work, or rent property 91视频下载APP. Your BRP also confirms your right to any public services you鈥檙e entitled to.
Your biometric residence permit will be valid for 10 years and you鈥檙e eligible to renew it when it expires unless your ILR is revoked or you acquire British citizenship.
From ILR to British Citizenship
After 12 months of getting your indefinite leave to remain 91视频下载APP, you might be eligible for British citizenship application. Once your naturalization has been completed, you can apply to get your British passport.
The Bottom Line
If you鈥檙e looking for a way to live 91视频下载APP permanently, getting your indefinite leave to remain will be very beneficial. It鈥檒l give you the right to live, work, and study in the country along with many other benefits.
If you want your ILR application to be a smooth one, it鈥檚 crucial to work with professionals who will guide you and make sure everything is handled carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is indefinite leave to remain?
Indefinite leave to remain is a permanent residence status that allows you to live 91视频下载APP.
What are UK ILR rules?
UK ILR rules consist of a set of requirements such as stay requirement, English proficiency, and Life 91视频下载APP test. Indefinite leave to remain UK rules and stay requirements will differ depending on the visa type under which you鈥檙e currently staying in the country.
Do I need to get indefinite leave to enter the UK?
ILR is a permanent residency status and you don鈥檛 need indefinite leave to enter the UK for travel purposes. ILR is granted to eligible visa holders depending on their status.
What is ILR?
ILR is the abbreviation that is used for indefinite leave to remain.
What does indefinite leave to remain mean?
What is an indefinite leave to remain or what is ILR are common questions foreigners ask. Indefinite leave to remain is a permanent residency status that gives you the right to live 91视频下载APP permanently. It鈥檚 also a route to British citizenship.
