Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or ‘Settlement’ is granted to visa-holders who have been in the UK for a significant amount of time. It provides individuals with a no time-limit grant of stay in the UK and the right to work, live and study here indefinitely. For many, it is the final stage before they are eligible to apply for British Citizenship (Naturalisation).
But how can you be eligible for ILR?
To be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain, there are various routes that individuals can take. Applicants must also meet certain criteria to be able to apply. Visa-holders will need to have completed a 5-year continuous stay in the UK in most cases*. This will need to be in a qualifying category, which includes but is not limited to:
- Skilled Worker Visa (formerly known as Tier 2 General)
- PBS Dependent visa
- International Sportsperson Visa
- Minister of Religion Visa
*The qualifying period may vary depending on the visa category. More information regarding this can be found on the Gov website
What criteria must you meet?
Once individuals completed the qualifying period in the UK, there are a few other criteria which they must meet to successfully apply for ILR, such as:
Number of absences: Applicants must ensure they haven’t exceeded the maximum number of absence days. During the qualifying period, visa holders are permitted to only spend a certain number of days outside of the UK. Exceeding this threshold may negatively impact eligibility for ILR.
Life in the UK test: Applicants are required to complete the Life in the UK test. A pass reference number will need to be submitted alongside an ILR application.
Please note there are alternative ways to be eligible and apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Such as if you are under 18, have family in the UK or have been in the UK for 10 years. To find out more regarding whether you are eligible for ILR, or if you would like assistance applying, please contact our office: https://permits2work.co.uk/contact/