Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) status in the UK is a significant immigration milestone granting foreign nationals the right to live and work in the country without any time restrictions or the need for further visa renewals. It signifies a higher level of settled status and is often a stepping stone toward British citizenship.

ILR is typically granted to individuals who have legally lived in the UK for a specified period under certain visa categories, such as work visas or family visas. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate adherence to immigration rules, absence of criminal convictions, and meet English language requirements. Holders of ILR can access public services, healthcare, and education on par with British citizens.

It’s essential to note that ILR holders should maintain a continuous residence in the UK, as prolonged absences from the country can jeopardize their status. While ILR itself does not expire, individuals may apply for British citizenship after a certain period of holding ILR, which opens up additional rights, including the ability to vote and apply for a UK passport.

In essence, ILR represents a secure and stable immigration status, providing individuals the freedom to reside and work in the UK indefinitely, while serving as a pathway to becoming a full-fledged British citizen.

The Home Office has stringent requirements for applicants seeking to acquire Indefinite Leave to Remain. While each applicant’s situation may differ slightly depending on the visa category they are currently in, the basic requirements can be summarised as follows:

• You meet the suitability requirements – good immigration history and an acceptable criminal record.
• You have been lawfully resident in the UK for a specified period of time. Usually this is 5 years, but it will depend on the type of visa you have held.
• You have not spent more than 180 days outside the UK within any year of your qualifying period.
• You have English language skills to a minimum of level B1.
• You have passed the Life in the UK test.

During your free consultation, our expert lawyer will make sure that you meet these eligibility requirements in more detail.

At a minimum you will need to provide the following evidence as part of your application. Your lawyer will advise of any further documents you need to supply to enhance the quality of your application.

• Passport and any passports which expired during your UK residency
• Two identical passport-sized photos with your full name written on the back
• Pass certificate of Life in the UK test (if not exempt)
• Pass certificate of English language test (if not exempt)
• Birth, adoption and marriage certificates of yourself and any dependents who are part of your application
• Documents detailing any time spent outside the UK during your UK residency
• A statement detailing your immigration history
• Financial information, including bank statements

Yes, in most cases, a dependant family member can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years of living in the UK on a dependant visa. A dependant will typically receive a visa that lasts for the same amount of time as the main visa holder, which means that if they came to the UK at the same time as the visa holder they will be eligible to apply for ILR at the same time. If a dependent came to the UK some time after the main visa holder, they will need to extend their visa so that they have completed the requisite 5 years of residence before they can apply for ILR.

Your dependants can include your partner and children under 18. Each dependant must meet certain eligibility requirements. We can add dependents to your application for a fee of £250 per person.

The application fee for Indefinite Leave to Remain is currently £2404 for each person who is applying. This can be subject to change but your lawyer will advise you of the total Home Office fees at the outset of our work with you, so you can ensure you have the funds available at the point of submitting your application. 

The processing time for Indefinite Leave to Remain applications can vary. However, it typically takes around 6 months from the date of submitting your application for the Home Office to return to us with a decision. Please note that processing times can be longer during peak periods or if additional documentation is required.

We offer a comprehensive range of services to assist with your Indefinite Leave to Remain application. This includes a free initial consultation, detailed advice for your personal immigration lawyer, evidence checklist and document collection, application preparation and submission, handling interactions with immigration authorities, and guidance on the Home Office’s decision and next steps. We aim to make the application process as smooth and stress-free as possible for you.

If your Indefinite Leave to Remain application is refused, it could be due to various reasons, such as errors in the application form, misunderstanding Home Office guidelines, incomplete details about absences from the UK, not meeting the ‘good character’ requirements, or not providing evidence of your English language skills.

If your application is refused, review the Refusal Notice from the Home Office which describes the reasons your application has been denied. Most importantly, seek professional advice from an immigration lawyer to understand your options and increase your chances of success.