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Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

You can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) on the basis of 10 years long residence after you have lived in the UK continuously and lawfully for 10 years. The 10-year period can be completed with a combination of various visas, such as the Global Talent Visa, Post Study Work Visa, Tier 2 (General work) visa, and others.

Leave to Remain is how people without UK citizenship are able to stay legally in the UK for an assigned period of time. There are different types of Leave to Remain and different routes available depending on a person’s individual circumstances. Some of the key ways to stay in the UK under the Leave to Remain provisions include limited leave to remain, Indefinite Leave to Remain and Long Residence Route.

Requirements for Indefinite Leave to Remain

General requirements

  • Lawful living in the UK for a certain period of time, typically 5 years.
  • No breach of immigration laws during the stay in the UK and no criminal record.
  • A period of time spent outside the UK which doesn’t exceed 180 days in a 12-month period.
  • You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man until you get a decision, as your application will be withdrawn if you do
  • A pass in the Life in the UK test, which is a test based on British culture, history, and traditions.
  • Ability to prove that you meet the B1 level of English as set out by the Common European Framework.

Visa Specific Requirements

  • The specific requirements for ILR differ depending on the particular circumstances of the applicant, including the type of visa they hold. For example, individuals with a Tier 1 visa may be eligible for ILR after 2 or 3 years, while most other visa holders typically need to have held a valid UK visa for 5 years before applying for ILR.

Other Routes to ILR

  • There are various routes to ILR, including the private life route, family routes, and specific work or investment-related visas such as the Global Talent, Tier 1 Entrepreneur or Investor visa, Innovator Founder visa, and others.

Cost and Application

  • In most cases, applicants will need to have held a valid UK visa for a specific period before being eligible to apply for ILR. The cost of the ILR application varies based on the specific circumstances and visa type.

Use our Super Priority Service

As experienced immigration solicitors in Bolton, we offer the super priority service for ILR applications.

Our team will handle the preparation and submission of your application ensuring a decision within 24 hours, providing a fast and reliable solution for expedited processing.

Contact us at Hi Solicitors Immigration by calling 01204 371414 for further guidance or assistance with your application for ILR.

You can also email enquiries@hisolicitors.co.uk or fill out our quick online enquiry form and we will get back to you.

Leave to Remain v Indefinite Leave to Remain?

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and Leave to Remain (LTR) are two distinct immigration statuses in the UK. 

Leave to Remain (LTR)

LTR, also known as limited leave to remain, allows an individual to stay in the UK for a specific period, typically granted under a visa. It is temporary and subject to various conditions, such as not accessing public funds and maintaining accommodation. LTR does not lead to settlement or permanent residency in the UK.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

 ILR, also known as settlement, grants an individual permanent residency in the UK and It allows the holder to live, work, and study in the UK free from immigration control. ILR holders are eligible for public funds and may apply for British citizenship after meeting additional requirements.

What is Limited Leave to Remain?

Limited Leave to Remain in the UK is permission granted to non-UK nationals to stay in the UK for a specified period of time, typically until your visa expires. Under limited leave to remain you must meet the conditions of your visa throughout your stay, such as having a valid certificate of sponsorship if you have a Skilled Worker visa, and have no recourse to public funds while in the UK as stated clearly on their biometric residence permit.

Depending on your circumstances and eligibility, you are required to depart the UK at the end of the period or apply to the Home Office for a visa extension, further Leave to Remain, or Indefinite Leave to Remain to retain lawful status here in the UK.

What is Indefinite Leave to Remain?

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is a type of settlement offered to foreign nationals. Typically, you are required to have resided in the UK for at least five years before being eligible to apply for ILR, although in certain circumstances, you can apply after three years or even two.

Various immigration visas, such as Spouse Visas, Innovator Visas, and the Skilled Worker Visa, can lead to ILR.

Leave to Remain grants you the right to live in the UK without any restrictions and serves as the initial step towards naturalisation and obtaining full citizenship here in the United Kingdom.

What is Long Residence Route?

Long residency in the UK, also known as the 10-year long residence route, allows you to be in the UK legally for 10 years without gaps to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). 

Continuous residence is the time spent in the UK without gaps. You can leave the UK during this period for up to 184 days at a time or 548 days in total. ILR grants you the right to live, work, and study in the UK for as long as desired and is the first step towards naturalisation and obtaining full citizenship.

Speak to our Immigration solicitors today.

For a free initial consultation on your legal position and the available options, please call 01204 371414. You can also email enquiries@hisolicitors.co.uk or fill out our quick online enquiry form and we will get back to you.
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