ILR as a refugee is a type of immigration status that allows individuals who have been granted refugee status in the UK to stay in the country permanently.
Refugees are individuals who have fled their home country due to persecution, war or violence and have been granted asylum in the UK.
To be eligible for ILR as a refugee, individuals must have completed at least five years in the UK as a refugee or a person with humanitarian protection. They must not have breached any immigration laws or have any criminal convictions that would make them ineligible for ILR, and they must have sufficient knowledge of the English language and life in the UK.
ILR as a refugee allows individuals to stay in the UK permanently, work, study, and access public services. It also provides a pathway to British citizenship, which can be applied for after holding ILR for at least one year.
If you need legal advice or help with your Indefinite Leave to Remain application as a refugee, 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
- Indefinite Leave to Remain as a Refugee
- How to apply for ILR as a refugee?
- Requirements for ILR as a refugee
- Documents required for ILR as a refugee
- 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?
How to apply for ILR as a refugee?
Here are the steps you need to take to apply for ILR as a refugee:
- Check the eligibility criteria
- Collect your supporting documents
- Fill out the application form
- Submit your application and pay the fee
- Book & attend a biometrics appointment
- Wait for a decision
Check the eligibility criteria
You must have been in the UK for at least five years, have a valid refugee status, and not have any serious criminal convictions.
Collect your supporting documents
You'll need to provide evidence of your identity, your refugee status, and your residence in the UK. This may include your passport or travel document, your Home Office-issued refugee status papers, and utility bills or bank statements that show where you have been living.
Fill out the application form
To apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as a Refugee, you must apply online and you'll need to fill out the application form SET (Protection Route) or SET(P).
Submit your application and pay the fee
Once the application is completed, you must submit it online and pay the appropriate application fee. You do not need to pay the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS) fee.
Book & attend a biometrics appointment
Once you've submitted your application, you'll be asked to attend a biometrics appointment to have your fingerprints and photo taken.
Wait for a decision
The processing time for ILR applications can vary, but it usually takes around 6 months. You can check the status of your application online.
Requirements for ILR as a refugee
To be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as a Refugee, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must have been granted refugee status in the UK
- You must have completed at least five years in the UK as a refugee
- You must not have breached any immigration laws or have any criminal convictions that would make you ineligible for ILR
- You must be able to demonstrate that you have sufficient knowledge of the English language and life in the UK
- You must not have spent more than 450 days outside the UK during the five-year period.
- You must be able to demonstrate that you are financially self-sufficient or have adequate support from a family member or a sponsor.
You must also meet all the other eligibility requirements depending on type of application and your personal circumstances. Please contact us for an initial assessment to determine your eligibility, and to discuss the options.
It is important to note that the rules and requirements for ILR as a refugee may change from time to time, so it is advisable that you consult the immigration lawyer on applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain as a refugee to ensure that you meet all the eligibility requirements.
Read the guidance for the full list of eligibility requirements for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) applications.
Documents required for ILR as a refugee
To apply for ILR as a refugee in the UK, you will need to provide the following supporting documents:
- Your valid passport or travel document.
- Your biometric residence permit (BRP) or Home Office travel document.
- Your police registration certificate, if applicable.
- Evidence that you have completed at least five years in the UK as a refugee or a person with humanitarian protection. This could include any letters or documents from the Home Office that confirm your refugee status or humanitarian protection, or evidence of any previous visas you have held.
- Evidence of your financial status, such as bank statements, employment contracts, or evidence of any government benefits you receive.
- Evidence of your knowledge of the English language and life in the UK, such as your Life in the UK test certificate and your English language test certificate.
- Any other documents that may support your application, such as proof of accommodation, evidence of your family relationships, or medical certificates.
This is a general list of documents. Depending on type of application and your personal circumstances, you might also need to provide additional documents.
Please contact us for an initial assessment to determine your eligibility, and find out the required list of documents in support of your application.
It is important to provide all the required supporting documents when making an application for ILR as a refugee, as failure to do so may result in your application being refused. It is recommended to seek professional advice from an immigration advisor to ensure you have provided all the required documents and to prepare a strong 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 £2,404 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:
- £2,404 Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application fee
- £19.20 Biometrics fee
- £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
- £500 in addition to the application fee if using the priority service
- Immigration lawyer fees (if using legal services to boost 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 requirement;
- 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.