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What Is Indefinite Leave To Remain?
Monday, 27 December 2021

Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) is one of the immigration status foreign nationals in the UK can attain. It is an authorization by the Home office to a foreign resident granting them the right to live and work in the country for as long as they wish.

Anyone with this status is said to have settled in the UK. Another name for the ILR is permanent residency (PR). That means you can now live in the UK without any restrictions.
 
We know how vital this authorization is to you. Read on to find all you need to know to secure yours.
 
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Importance of Indefinite Leave to Remain

 
There are several reasons why you must strive to get indefinite leave to remain. It bestows upon you several rights. One of such is that you can choose to work wherever you wish without any restriction.
 
Besides, you can enjoy every benefit available to a UK citizen aside from voting. That includes public funding, job seekers allowance and many more.
 
Again, anyone with this status would enjoy the same treatment as UK nationals when applying to study. There'll be no extra charges like those billed to international students.
 
Perhaps the most important of them all is ILR allows you to apply for citizenship after a year of earning this status.
 

Qualifications for Indefinite Leave to Remain

 
There are several ways to qualify for settled status. Generally, you have to apply for it after legally residing and working in the UK for at least five years.
 
Meanwhile, some peculiar circumstances can qualify you to apply in as little as two years of stay. For example, a Tier 1 visa holder may apply in about 2 to 3 years of the entrance.
 
Other ways to qualify for this status include:
 
1. Have a Relative in the UK
 
Relative in this sense refers to parents, child, or spouse. Meanwhile, if your partner is demised or estranged due to domestic violence, you can also apply.
 
2. Live a Decade or more in the UK
 
This application is on the basis of private life. Your residency for those years must be legal and you mustn't have been away from the country for more than 18 months altogether or 6 months at a stretch.
 
3. Work in the Armed Forces
 
Qualifying on this basis requires you to have served in the military for a minimum of four years except when discharged for medical conditions arising from active duty.
 
In addition, you must be leaving the army or not more than two years after leaving. Members of your family can apply within the stipulated period as well.
 

How to Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain

 
Application for permanent residency is online. Before proceeding, it is crucial to get your documents straight. These documents would generally include the following:
  • Passport
  • Current visa
  • Track records of absence from the UK
  • Proof of earning or minimum income
  • Proof of successful completion of a cultural and language-based test
 
Moreover, you must not travel outside the UK and other specified regions during the period of your application. Doing so will lead to an automatic withdrawal of the application. You should also anticipate a request to update some documents or show up for an interview.
 

Financial Requirements and Duration of ILR Application

 
Depending on your visa, there may be some financial requirements to meet before you can apply for this permit. Meanwhile, applying for indefinite leave to remain will cost each applicant £2,389. You'll require an additional £19.20 for biometric capturing.
 
The application and response time can take as long as six months. However, you can get a shorter response time if you use the super-priority service which costs between £500 and £800.
 

How to Retain Indefinite Leave to Remain

 
There is a possibility of your permanent residency elapsing even though it has no time limit. To keep your permanent residency status, do not take an extended leave spanning two years from the UK.
 
Also, abstain from criminal acts that may lead to convictions and eventual deportation. For the former clause, you may apply again when you've gained entrance into the UK. Meanwhile, there can't be a consideration for anyone losing permanent residency after facing deportation.
 

Final Thoughts

 
Despite meeting the conditions for permanent residency, there is the possibility that your application is denied. You would find it much easier getting indefinite leave to remain with the guidance of experienced immigration lawyers.
 
There is no need to overemphasize the necessity of gaining permanent residency in the UK. Overall, good conduct and meaningful contributions to your community can be your best spokesman in securing what you seek.
 
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