Personal Immigration: Indefinite Leave to Remain

Permanent Residency, Indefinite Leave to Remain and Settlement Visas

Settling in the UK is an important step and applying for the settlement visa can be challenging. Here’s what you need to know.

What is a settlement visa?

A settlement visa, which is also often known as indefinite leave to remain (ILR) allows an applicant to live, work and study in the UK without any restrictions. The ILR status entitles applicants to naturalise as British citizens.

Qualifying for ILR

Applicants who have been in the UK for a qualifying period in an immigration category that leads to settlement, can apply for ILR. The length of the qualifying period depends upon the visa category of the applicant and their status in the UK.

There are a number of ways of qualifying for ILR. Some applicants can apply after just 2 years, although most will have to wait 5 years, provided all other requirements are in place. There is also a 10- year rule applied to people who have lived lawfully in the UK for a continuous period of 10 years. Some applicants who’ve had lawful and unlawful residence over a period of 20 years can apply for ILR. If you would like to find out if you are eligible for ILR, get in touch with us.

Applying for ILR

Applying for ILR represents the final hurdle to becoming a British citizen and, as such, is a hugely important process. Most people only apply for ILR when their existing visa is about to expire, which means that the first application is generally the only application. In case the ILR is refused, applicants have to leave the UK and then begin a period of continuous residence all over again. This means getting the application process right the first time is crucial.

Our team of experts have worked on all aspects of immigration for more than 10 years. We have experience dealing with the most complex cases and the kind of in-depth knowledge of immigration rules that means we can handle any difficulties as they arise.

We can deal with ILR applications in all the categories and via a combination of different routes. EU Nationals living in the UK after 31 December 2020, can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue residing here after 30 June 2021. If you have come to the UK on or after 1 January 2021, you may need to apply for a visa.

Premium Visa services

The premium visa services and super premium visa service were replaced with priority service and super priority service.

However, the priority service and super priority service to avail faster decision on a visa or settlement(ILR) application have been suspended because of the pandemic.
If you have already applied through priority or super priority service, then what happens next will depend on what stage your application is at.

For instance, if you have provided your biometric details then UKVI will aim to respond to your application. Once a decision has been made, you will get an email, followed by a decision confirmation letter. The confirmation letter is sent by post or email and may take longer than usual to arrive.

If you have already received a decision confirmation letter, then you will typically get your biometric residence permit (BRP) in 7-10 days of receiving the letter.

In case UKVI needs more information, they will get in touch with you to tell you how and what to provide.