Securing the right to live, work, and study in the UK without immigration restrictions is a major milestone for many migrants. Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)offers this opportunity, granting permanent residency and peace of mind.
Our dedicated immigration lawyers are here to make the process straightforward and stress-free. Call 02033939272 for a free consultation or complete our enquiry form to get expert assistance with your ILR application today!
Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) is a legal right that lets a foreigner live in the UK permanently without any limits on immigration. You can also call ILR “permanent residence,” “settlement visa,” or “settlement.” With ILR, you and your family can live, work, or go to school in the UK permanently without having to get another visa. Getting Indefinite Leave to Remain is the last step before becoming a British citizen. This is the end goal of many people who come to the UK to live, work, or be with family.
In order to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain status, you must submit lots of documents. The specific documents that must be submitted when applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain will differ based on the unique circumstances of each case.
Please be advised that your application for an Indefinite Leave to Remain/settlement visa in the United Kingdom will be denied if you are unable to provide any of the specified documents. Please ensure that you submit any supplementary documents, such as a police registration certificate, as soon as possible to avoid any delays in the status of your application.
Additionally, it is important to remember that the documents must be in their original state. If you are unable to provide the original documents due to circumstances beyond your control, the Home Office will consider this.
The following are the Indefinite Leave to Remain requirements for your application:
To apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK, most applicants need to demonstrate a minimum B1 level of English proficiency in speaking and listening, as defined by the Common European Framework of Languages (CEFR).
The English language test can be taken at approved SELT (Secure English Language Test) centres located across the UK and around the world. If you are not exempt from these ILR requirements, you must include a certified pass certificate from an accredited test centre with your ILR application, or provide proof of your test result online.
There are 24 multiple-choice questions covering topics related to British history, culture, and traditions that make up the 45-minute Long Life in the UK Test. This exam is an ILR requirement for the application procedure for the majority of candidates.
The best way to prepare for the test is by reading the official ‘Life in the UK Handbook’ published by the Home Office.
The test is operational in over 30 centres across the country, but you can only schedule the test in any of the five nearest centres to you. The test must be booked at least three days in advance and on the day of the test, you must take identification that includes a letter containing your UK address.
Registering for the Life in the UK test costs £50, and you must score above 75% to pass. These may include a passport or driving license only.
If your scores fall short of expectations, you can retake the test after seven days. However, your chances to take the test are limitless, meaning you can take the test as many times as you want.
There are times when applicants need not take the Life in the UK Test. Such targets are
A common concern for many is to know who is eligible for the Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the United Kingdom. In other words, anyone who does not have British citizenship, but has been legally residing in the UK for a particular period of time and fulfills the necessary criteria can apply. This is composed of skilled employees, pensioners with their own income, and parents with British offspring.
To access the information required for analysis, the process is quite simple but the details need to be followed carefully. Its primary purpose is to assist those who have lived in the UK for an extended period and wish to establish themselves as residents.
There are several key factors that have to be fulfilled to be allowed to apply for ILR. For instance, you were not supposed to violate any law or remain in Britain longer than the allowed time for your visa. Ordinarily, one is required to have been living in the United Kingdom for roughly about five years of which more than 450 days were spent in the country per year.
At Rees Clayton, we have dealt with many cases of helping people to apply for ILR. Our team guarantees you to get all the necessary elements into your application, thus increasing your chances of success. We can assure you that no matter your circumstances or past, if you are a genuine ILR applicant we will assist you with becoming a part of British society.
Applying for ILR is not an easy thing, but with the right information, the process gets easier. Read and follow these steps to make your ILR requirements and application process easy and seamless.
If you want to apply for an ILR visa, you must first make sure you meet the strict ILR requirements. The exact needs depend on how you got into the UK in the first place, such as through a work permit, a family permit, or a long-living permit. Some important factors are:
If you’re unsure, reach out to our expert team Rees Clayton Solicitors for personalised advice.
Compile all necessary documents to support your application. Common documents in ILR requirements include:
We can guide you on exactly what’s needed for your specific circumstances.
All ILR applications must be submitted online via the official UK government portal. Fill out the form carefully, providing accurate details. Even small errors can delay your application. Rees Clayton Solicitors ensures every detail is correct and compliant with legal ILR requirements.
Once your application is submitted, pay the associated fee and book an appointment to provide your biometric information. You’ll need to visit a UKVCAS service point to submit your fingerprints and photograph.
After submitting your application and attending your biometric appointment, the Home Office will review your case. Processing times can vary, but premium services may offer faster decisions.
Our solicitors will monitor your application’s progress and keep you updated every step of the way.
The time you need to spend in the UK before applying for ILR depends on your current visa type and living situation. To qualify, you must have lived in the UK lawfully, as only legal residence counts toward the ILR requirements.
For most visa holders, the standard qualifying period is five years. This applies to people on visas such as:
After five years, you can apply for ILR to live in the UK without being subject to immigration rules.
Applying for ILR typically costs £2,885, as set by the Home Office. However, additional charges may apply if you use solicitors or professional advisers to help with your application. These extra fees depend on the complexity of your case and the services you choose.
ILR is valid indefinitely, meaning you can live in the UK permanently. However, it becomes invalid if you stay outside the UK for more than 2 consecutive years.
Some people can apply for ILR sooner than the standard qualifying period:
You don’t need to meet the English language requirement if:
Skip the Life in the UK test if you are eligible for the following categories:
These exemptions can make the ILR application process easier in specific situations.
The timeline for an ILR application decision depends on the service you choose:
These options allow you to choose a processing time that suits your needs.
It may be disheartening to face a denied application. Finding out why your application was rejected should be your first priority. The rejection letter will provide a detailed explanation of the reasons for the rejection. Furthermore, the most effective approach is to resubmit the application after addressing any apparent errors.
Also, if you are of the opinion that the Home Office has improperly rejected your application, you have the option to contest their decision. One thing you can do is ask for an administrative review if you think they missed something important in your application, like important proof. Additionally, an additional immigration officer will evaluate your application using a new perspective.
In certain circumstances, it may be feasible to submit an official legal appeal against the Home Office’s decision. Additionally, your letter of refusal will specify your inability to proceed.
With our appeal package, the UK Immigration Solicitors are available to assist you at every stage of the process if you elect to submit an appeal against the Home Office’s decision. Call us at 0203 813 7239 to obtain additional information. Alternatively, you may contact the Home Office directly if you prefer.
The current fee for an ILR application is £2,885.
Additional Costs
These are the main expenses you’ll need to consider when applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
The two primary forms utilised for applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain are Form Set (O) and Form Set (M).
If you are the companion or parent of an individual who has resided in the United Kingdom, you are eligible to register for UK ILR using Form Set (M). Additionally, Form Set (O) is applied to other ILR applications, including Investor, Global Talent, Long-term Worker, Skilled Worker, PBS dependents, and UK Ancestry visas.
There are several routes to applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK, depending on your circumstances and the type of visa you hold. Here’s an overview of the most common routes:
In the majority of cases, you can apply for ILR after living in the UK continuously for 5 years on a qualifying visa. These visas include:
The long-residence route is available for people who have been staying in the UK for over 10 years irrespective of the type of visa used. This route enables you to apply if you have been legally living in the UK for a period of 10 consecutive years.
Certain visas offer an accelerated route to ILR after shorter periods:
However, if you are in doubt as to which ILR route you qualify for, our highly skilled team of immigration solicitors is here to help. Call us today at 02033939272.
After receiving permission for ILR in the UK, a person has a chance to apply for a British passport. ILR gives you the right to live in the United Kingdom without any restrictions on time and to work, refer to the services provided by the state.
To be eligible to apply for a British passport after ILR, one has to fulfill other ILR requirements UK such as English tests and life in the UK. Once you receive your ILR status it is time to go through the process of applying for your British passport. However, if you experience any difficulties at this stage, the assistance of a lawyer is helpful in advising and guiding you through the process.
At Rees Clayton, our team of qualified ILR solicitors can help you through the procedures involved in appealing against a refusal to achieve the best possible outcome. You can also contact us on 0203 813 7239 for more information and help.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is the immigration status that permits people to live and work indefinitely in the United Kingdom. People who are not nationals of Great Britain can apply for ILR under certain conditions, for example, if they have been living legally in the UK for the necessary period. These could be skilled workers, retirees, parents with British children, or any other person of legal age.
For one to qualify for an application of ILR, he or she must pass the English test, the Life in the UK test, and must be a legal resident in the UK for some time. Also, any applicant should not ever be convicted or have a history of violations of immigration laws or ever overstaying in their visa.
The right to reside in the UK indefinitely is given by ILR, which is distinct from British citizenship. People with ILR can enter and leave the country without any problems, but it can be taken away in some situations. If you want to have a UK passport and vote, however, you need to be a citizen of the United Kingdom.
All required documents must be gathered and the application form must be filled out precisely in order to apply for ILR. Be sure to submit your application no later than the deadline, which is usually 28 days before the qualifying period ends. For a more seamless experience, it could be necessary to seek expert help with the procedure.
Around £2,389 is the going rate for most ILR applications. Application fees may also include costs for additional assessments such as the English proficiency test, the Life in the UK exam, the immigration health surcharge, and legal fees for assistance.
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