Hey, are you a spouse of a British national and planning to join your partner in the UK forever? Well, that’s no surprising decision since visiting your spouse once or twice and maintaining a long-distance relationship can be challenging. 

So, if you wish to join your partner permanently in the UK, apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). It’s the first step towards full citizenship and naturalisation. With this immigration status, you can live in the UK without any restrictions. 

But do you know how long the process will take? Have a clear idea here. 

Timeline for the Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) to Process

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK allows one to live and work or study here without any limitation while travelling outside the UK without immigration controls. However, it comes with a little bit of lengthy processing time, especially when your application does not meet 100%.

General processing time for ILR

The processing times of ILR applications can take around 6 months. However, it can be longer when one does not fill the documents correctly and provide incorrect information or for complicated cases. For instance:

• The applicant remains often missing from the UK
• UK immigration rules breached
• Not providing information about the debt the applicant has accrued
• Not having a valid UK visa
• Inappropriate behaviour

In such cases, additional inspections and evidence are required before allowing the person for the immigration status, which can take more time than usual to process an ILR application. In fact, the chances of application refusal remain here. 

When Is the Right Time to Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?

Generally, five years of permanent residence is mandatory. Once this timeline is over, you become eligible to apply for an ILR visa. 

Well, you can live in the UK for at least 5 years with a valid visa, like a Spouse visa. But you should apply for ILR at least a month before reaching the end of this timeline if you wish to join your partner here permanently. 

However, if there is any emergency or specific situation, you can even apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for citizenship after two or three years of living in the UK.  

Is It Allowed to Travel at the Time of Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Processing?

Yes, you can keep travelling outside the UK after applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), even when your application is being processed. But make sure you must have a continuing plan for UK naturalisation. A continuous absence for 180 days or more can cause an ILR application refusal. 

How Can Intime Immigration Limited Help You Here?

Since Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK is complicated, you should have Indefinite Leave to Remain lawyers by your side to guide you throughout the process, from the application to the final interview process to obtain this immigration status. 

And no one can serve you better than Intime Immigration Limited(Intime Solicitors). We have the best team of Indefinite Leave to Remain solicitors to help you with all the ILR requirements to obtain the visa. 

Call us now for a non-obligation assessment!