Indefinite Leave to Remain Visa UK

Indefinite Leave to Remain UK (ILR) or ILR Visa UK is commonly known as ‘Permanent Residency’. Applicants who have lived legally in the UK and have a continuous residence for a certain length of time, they may be able to apply for permission to settle here. This is known as as 'Settlement Visa UK' or 'Indefinite Leave to Remain UK'. It is the last step for any non UK national/citizen, to fulfill, before becoming eligible to apply for a British Citizenship.



The 'qualifying period' for Settlement Visa UK depends on the current immigration status of the applicant:-

Current Immigration stutus or UK visa Qualifying Indefinite Leave to Remain UK period Tier 2 General visa After 5 years Tier 2 (ICT) After 5 years provided the initial grant is prior to 6th April 2010 Tier 2 (Sportsperson) After 5 years 2 (Minister of religion) After 5 years Spouse, unmarried partner or civil partner of a British Citizen or a person settled in the UK visa After 5 years where the initial period of partner visa or spouse visa is granted after 9th July 2012 EEA Family Permit or Residence card as a family member of an EEA or Swiss national After 5 years EU Settlement Scheme After 5 years Ancestry visa After 5 years Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) After 3 or 5 years, depending on the business activity Tier 1 (Investor) visa After 2, 3 or 5 years, depending on the level of investment Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa After 3 years Tier 1 (Exceptional Promise) visa After 5 years PBS visa dependants After 5 years Long residence or 10 Years ILR After 10 years lawful residence in the UK

Family Route leading to ILR UK

The applicants who have spent 2 years in UK (if initial spouse visa, unmarried partner or civil partner visa was applied prior to 9th July 2012) or for 5 years in UK (if the initial spouse visa, unmarried partner or civil partner visa was applied on or after 9th July 2012) as a partner of a British National or Settled person or as a PBS dependant are eligible for UK Indefinite Leave To Remain (ILR Visa UK), except for EEA family members who need to spend 5 years.

Long Residency

Applicants must have at least 10 years lawful residence in the UK to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain UK (ILR Visa UK). They need to show a strong connection with the UK.

Work Route leading to ILR UK

This category is designed for applicants who have spent continuos residence of 5 years in the work categories including Tier 1 (General), Tier 2 (General), Ancestry visa etc and wish to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain UK

EEA Permanent Residence

This category allows an EEA national who has spent at least 5 years as a qualified person in the UK.







Eligibility Criteria for Indefinite Leave to Remain UK or ILR visa UK

What are the required documents for an Indefinite leaving to Remain UK or ILR Visa UK?

Proof of your identity;



Previous passports or travel documents that you have held during your stay in the UK;



Proof of your dependants, if any –marriage certificate, birth certificate;



Evidence of your relationship, i.e. either through marriage or civil partnership or living together in a relationship for at least 2 years;



Proof of your English language requirement;



Pass certificate for the life in the UK test;



Evidence of your finances to show that you have sufficient funds to maintain yourself and your dependants without any recourse to public funds;



Police registration certificate, if applicable.



Evidence of your accommodation;



Evidence in support of any absences from the UK, for example, a letter from your employer confirming your absences, annual leave, working pattern;



Any other supporting evidence relevant to your specific visa category (i.e Tier 1 category, Tier 2 General, Indefinite Leave to remain UK spouse, 10 years lawful residence; EEA PR, Ancestry);



The translation of any document that are not in English or Welsh.

Details of any previous immigration applications, if any.



Details of any civil or criminal offenses including traffic contravention, if any.



Details of any dependants, if any.



Details of all the absences from the UK, if any.

Which form do I need to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain UK or ILR visa UK?

ILR absences in calculation of continuous residence

Returning residents