Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is a form of permanent residency in the UK that allows a non-EEA national to remain in the UK without any time restrictions.
You may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) once you have lived in the UK for a certain number of years as required by the Immigration Rules.
If you need legal advice or help with your Indefinite Leave to Remain application, our experienced immigration lawyer can provide you with the help you need.
Call Rex Law Chambers on 0161 989 9370 or fill in our enquiry form for immigration advice and help with your Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application.
Table of Contents
- What is Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?
- Most popular ILR applications
- What are the common routes to Indefinite Leave to Remain?
- How to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain?
- Requirements for Indefinite Leave to Remain
- Documents required for Indefinite Leave to Remain
- ILR application processing time
- ILR application fees
- How can an immigration lawyer help you?
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- Need legal advice or help from an immigration lawyer?
What is Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is a type of immigration status in the UK that allows an individual to live and work in the country without any time restrictions. It is also known as 'settlement' or 'permanent residency'.
ILR is typically granted to individuals who have been living in the UK for a certain period of time, usually after spending five years in the country under various visa categories. This includes individuals who entered the UK on a family visa, work visa, or student visa, among others.
Once an individual has been granted ILR, they are no longer subject to immigration control and can apply for British citizenship after a certain period of time. ILR is also granted to individuals who have been recognized as refugees and have been living in the UK for a certain period of time.
It's important to note that individuals with ILR are still subject to certain restrictions, such as the requirement to notify the Home Office of any changes in their circumstances, and they can lose their ILR status if they spend too much time outside the UK.
Most popular ILR applications
Here is a list of some most popular ILR applications:
- ILR as a skilled worker
- ILR as a spouse
- ILR as an unmarried partner
- ILR on the basis of 10 years long residence
- ILR as a refugee
- ILR as a parent of a British child
- ILR for a child under 7 years route
What are the common routes to Indefinite Leave to Remain?
There are several routes to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK, depending on an individual's immigration status and circumstances. Some of the most common routes to ILR include:
- Work visa route
- Family visa route
- Long residence route
- (Tier 1) investor visa route
- (Tier 1) entrepreneur route
- Refugee or humanitarian protection
- Ancestry visa route
Work visa route
If you are in the UK on a work visa, you may be able to apply for ILR after completing a certain period of time in the UK, usually five years. You will also need to meet certain requirements, such as having a certain level of English language proficiency and not having any criminal convictions.
Family visa route
If you are in the UK on a family visa, such as a spouse or partner visa, you may be able to apply for ILR after completing a certain period of time in the UK, usually five years. You will also need to meet certain requirements, such as demonstrating that your relationship is genuine & subsisting and that you meet the financial requirements.
Long residence route
If you have been living in the UK for a long period of time, usually ten years, you may be able to apply for ILR through the Long Residence Route. You will need to demonstrate that you have been living in the UK continuously and lawfully for the required period of time and that you meet the other eligibility criteria.
(Tier 1) investor route
If you have invested a significant amount of money in the UK, you may be able to apply for ILR under the Tier 1 Investor Route. You will need to have invested at least £2 million in the UK, and meet certain other requirements.
(Tier 1) entrepreneur route
If you have started a business in the UK, you may be able to apply for ILR under the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Route. You will need to have invested a certain amount of money in your business, created jobs for British citizens or residents, and meet other eligibility criteria.
Refugee or humanitarian protection
If you have been granted refugee status or humanitarian protection (asylum) in the UK, you may be eligible for ILR after five years of continuous residence.
Ancestry visa route
If you have a grandparent who was born in the UK, you may be eligible for an ancestry visa. After living and working in the UK for five years, you may be eligible for ILR.
These are some of the common routes to ILR, but there may be other options depending on an individual's circumstances. It is important to seek professional legal advice to determine the best route for your situation.
How to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain?
If you want to apply for ILR, you must apply online for Indefinite Leave to Remain by using the correct application form depending on your situation.
Here are the steps you need to take to apply for ILR:
- Check if you are eligible
- Collect the necessary documents
- Fill out the application form
- Pay the application fee
- Submit your application
- Book & attend a biometric appointment
- Wait for a decision
Read this comprehensive guide to learn more about how to apply for ILR, the required documents and fees.
Requirements for indefinite leave to remain
There are certain requirements which must be fulfilled for someone to become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
The most fundamental requirements for ILR applications are:
- Continuous residence requirement
- English language requirement
- Life in the UK test
- Suitability requirement
Read the guidance for the full list of eligibility requirements for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) applications.
You must also meet all the other eligibility requirements. Please contact us for an initial assessment to determine your eligibility, and to discuss the options.
Documents required for Indefinite Leave to Remain
There are several supporting documents are required for the ILR application, including:
- your passport
- biometric residence permit (BRP)
- evidence of your continuous residence in the UK
- evidence of your knowledge of the English language
- proof of passing the Life in the UK test
Read the guidance for the full list of documents you'll need to provide in support of your Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application.
ILR application processing time
You should get a decision within 3-6 months if you are applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) using standard service. However, you may be able to use priority service to get a faster decision.
Check the latest information about the ILR application processing time on the GOV website.
How long does the ILR application process take?
Once you have applied online and attended your biometrics appointment, you'll usually get a decision on your visa within:
- 3-6 months, if applying using standard service
- 5 working days, if applying using priority service
- 24 hours, if applying using super priority service
Super Priority Service
You may be eligible to use the “super priority service” to get a faster decision by the end of the next working day (within 24 hours). You'll need to pay £1,000 in addition to the ILR application fee.
Priority Service
You may be able to choose the 'priority service' when you apply for a UK visa to get a faster decision within 5 working days. You'll need to pay £500 in addition to the ILR application fee.
When you apply, you might be eligible to choose the 'super priority service' or 'priority service' to get your visa faster depending on the type of application.
ILR application fees
Home Office (UKVI) fee for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application is £2,885 per applicant if applying using standard service. You do not need to pay the IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) if you are applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
Please note that these fees are subject to change, and you should always check the most up-to-date information on the UK government's official website before applying for a visa.
How much does an ILR application cost?
The cost of an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application varies depending on the type of application you are applying for and the type of service you are using such as 'standard service', 'super priority service', or 'priority service'.
Here are some common costs associated with applying for an indefinite leave to remain:
- £2,885 Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application fee
- £0.00 Biometrics fee (there's no fee for this)
- £50 Life in the UK test fee (unless you are exempt)
- £150 approx. English language test fee (unless you are exempt)
- £1,000 in addition to the application fee if using the "super priority service" to get faster decisions within 24 hours (optional)
- £500 in addition to the application fee if using the "priority service" to get faster decisions within 5 working days (optional)
- £800-£1,000 Our immigration lawyer fees (if using our full legal services to maximise your chances of success & avoid mistakes)
Please note that the above is a general list of costs associated with UK visa applications. There may be additional costs such translation fee depending on your circumstances.
Immigration lawyer fees
Our expert UK immigration lawyer will guide you through every step of the Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application process including advice about legal requirements and eligibility criteria.
At Rex Law Chambers, our immigration lawyer charges a fixed fee between £800-£1000 for our complete legal services in relation to your Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application. The agreed fixed fee will depend on the complexity of the matter and the casework involved in the matter.
How can an immigration lawyer help you?
If you need legal advice or help with your Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application, our immigration lawyer can provide legal assistance.
Immigration lawyer at Rex Law Chambers will:
- advise you about eligibility criteria and the requirements.
- provide you with a comprehensive checklist of supporting documents.
- fill in and submit your ILR application.
- check all the supporting documents.
- upload all the supporting documents online in their correct format and order.
- schedule your biometrics appointments.
- prepare a cover letter or letter of representation to support your application.
- dealing and responding to any enquiries or correspondence from the Home Office (UKVI).
- do all the follow-up work on your ILR application until a decision is received from the Home Office (UKVI).
Contact our experienced and friendly immigration lawyer on 0161 989 9370 or fill in our enquiry form to get reliable & confidential immigration advice and legal assistance with a Settlement (ILR) application or any other immigration matter.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Here are some commonly asked questions about Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR):
Individuals with ILR are still subject to certain restrictions, such as the requirement to notify the Home Office of any changes in their circumstances, and they can lose their ILR status if they spend 2 or more continuous years outside the UK.
Each applicant needs to pay £2,404 for their Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application if applying for ILR using the standard service.
The length of time it takes to receive a decision on an ILR application can vary depending on a number of factors, but typically it can take up to six months. You can pay extra for a priority service to receive a decision faster.
You must apply for ILR online by completing the relevant application form and providing supporting documents to prove that you meet the eligibility requirements.
Read this comprehensive guide to learn more about how to apply for ILR, the required documents and fees.
With ILR, you can live and work in the UK permanently, and you are not subject to immigration controls or restrictions. You may also be eligible for certain benefits, such as access to the NHS and social security benefits, among others.
Call Rex Law Chambers on 0161 989 9370 for confidential legal advice and help with your ILR application. You can get help from our immigration lawyer in person, over the phone, via WhatsApp, email or live chat.
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