Indefinite Leave to Remain Visa

Indefinite Leave to Remain Visa (ILR) is often the final step in a long journey. Our expert team of trained Immigration Advisors have thorough knowledge and vast experience in preparing and managing these often complex and difficult cases.

Eligibility 

ILR is also known as Permanent Residency. Your ability to qualify for this visa will depend on your personal circumstances and history that may include one or more of the following:

  • Current Immigration status of the applicant(s)
  • Work/business status and history
  • Marriage and/or ancestry status
  • Future Intentions Length of time spent in the UK

You also need to pass of Life in the UK Test and provide evidence of English language ability.  Adults over 65 years of age and children below 18 are exempt from this.

Probationary Period

You have to complete a probationary period such as one of the following before you can apply for this visa:  5 years as a Skilled Worker/Tier 2 General /Tier 1 visa holder or 3 years of marriage to a UK national or 10 years of continuous lawful residence known as Long residence or under UK Ancestry.

Application

You can make an application for indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom if you have completed, or are nearing completion, five years of continuous leave to remain in the United Kingdom in one of the following categories:

  • Skilled Worker/Tier 2 General Sponsorship holder
  • Investor Visa holder*/Tier 1 migrants
  • Global Talent Visa holder
  • employment not requiring a work permit
  • Self-employed Lawyers, Writer, composer or artist
  • UK Ancestry
  • Bereaved partners
  • other purposes not covered by other application forms

* Investor Visa holder may apply for accelerated ILR after a continuous period of either 2 years or 3 years if they meet additional criteria.

Intra-Company Transfers (ICT) migrants are not eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Residential requirements

In the five-year qualifying period, applicant should not have been outside the United Kingdom for more than 450 days in total; and in any 12-month period, the absence from the country should not have been more than 180 days.

10-year route: Absence should not exceed 540 days and more than 180 days at one go during the 10 years. Can request discretion if the absence is during out of term time during university study.

Eligibility to apply as ILR Dependants

Adults dependants should meet the residential requirements. They should provide Evidence of cohabitation.

Child: If a child was born out of UK before parents obtained ILR then the child should apply for ILR along with parents or separately after one parent’s ILR.

Applicants at any time during the qualifying period, in the United Kingdom should not have been in breach of the immigration laws.

Decision time: Normally you get a decision on your visa within:

  • 1 day if you are applying through super priority service
  • Up to 6 months for standard postal applications

Once you have obtained Permanent Residence, you can apply for Naturalisation as a British Citizen after a qualifying period of 12 months.

For more information and assistance please contact us.