UK Citizenship and Permanent Immigration Services
Applying for (ILR) - Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK
Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK or ILR is commonly referred to as permanent residency and gives its holder the right to live and work in the UK with no time restrictions on their stay. ILR may be applied for by people who have been resident in the UK on various types of UK visas and immigration services, though the minimum residency requirement to apply for ILR will vary according to the applicant’s visa status.
Begin your application for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK today by visiting the online assessment area. Just take a moment to complete one of our straightforward enquiry forms and a specialist UK immigration consultant will respond to you.
Indefinite Leave to Remain allows a non-EEA national to continue living and working in the UK indefinitely and unlike a UK work permit, the holder may work for any employer they choose in any position. However, applicants should be aware that although ILR is granted as a permanent immigration solution, unlike a grant of UK citizenship, it can be revoked and in cases where a candidate spends a period of more than two years outside the UK, ILR can be withdrawn. One of the underlying principles of permanent residency in the UK is that the applicant must intend to make the UK their main home and this will be reflected in the proportion of time they spend within the United Kingdom.
Applying for ILR - Eligibility Criteria
Proficiency in the English language is one of the key requirements of ILR, along with the minimum residency period which varies according to the applicant’s prior visa status. In many cases, UK visas which may lead to ILR require a candidate to have been residing in the UK for a minimum of five years before an application can be submitted. However, the minimum residency period for some family visas is much lower, and in the case of the Long Residency Visa, various options are available. Some of the more common routes are outlined below with their residency requirements.
- HSMP and UK Work Permit - 5 years of residency
- UK Ancestry Visa – 5 years of residency
- Marriage Visa and De Facto Visa/Unmarried Partner Visa – 2 years of residency
- Long Residency Visa – After 10, 14, or in some cases 7 years, depending upon the individual’s circumstances.
UK Long Term Residency Visas
A UK long term residency visa is granted on a case by case basis at the UK Home Office’s discretion. The visa applies to those who have been resident in the UK for a very long period, usually 10 or 14 years. The 10 year option applies to those who have been living in the UK for a period of ten years, as a legal immigrant. However, candidates who have been living in the UK for 14 years as a combination of legal and illegal residency may apply for the 14 year option. In circumstances where an applicant is facing deportation and has young children who have been living in the UK for 7 years or more, a 7 year long term residency visa may be issued. Long Term Residency Visas do not apply to an applicant’s spouse or partner and any dependents would need to qualify for UK entry clearance individually.
British Naturalisation – Applying for UK Citizenship
Becoming a UK citizen through the process of British naturalisation allows a candidate already in possession of ILR to obtain all the rights and privileges afforded to UK citizens. This includes the right to vote and a British passport and unlike ILR, UK citizenship cannot be revoked for spending large amounts of time outside the country although applicants should note that one of the requirements is that the candidate should be able to demonstrate their intention to continue living in the UK.
In all cases, permanent residents applying for UK citizenship must be over the age of 18, of good character and must have been resident in the UK for at least five years and have held ILR for 12 months. All applicants must also intend to continue living in the UK and must be proficient in the English language.
Global Visas are committed to ensuring that you obtain the right visa service for your needs whether you require a short term visit visa or you intend to immigrate to the UK on a permanent basis. You can find out whether you qualify for permanent residency or citizenship now by visiting the Global Visas online assessment area.
