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Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain / Settlement

Expert UK Immigration Solicitors

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Indefinite Leave to Remain Chester Manchester UK

Welcome to Intime Immigration Solicitors

Intime Immigration Solicitors are professional experts in handling different types of UK Visa and Settlement Applications.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or Permanent Residency (PR) is an immigration status that gives the allowance to live in the United Kingdom without any restrictions and this is the first step towards naturalisation and full citizenship. A spouse of a British national who is living in the UK with the sponsoring partner can make an Indefinite Leave to Remain application 28 days before they reach the end of 5 years (60 months) leave as a partner of a British national.

Typically, you are supposed to spend at least five years in the UK before you apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. However, in certain circumstances, one may be able to apply after three years of residence in the UK, or even two. Different types of immigration visas such as Innovator Visa, Spouse Visas and Skilled Worker Visas may lead to ILR.

The ILR process is complicated. Our competent Immigration solicitors offer a no-obligation visa assessment. You can contact Intime Immigration lawyers for free immigration advice.

Our certified immigration experts can help you with indefinite leave in the United Kingdom or British citizenship requirements. Call us for a no-obligation assessment.

There are certain major requirements to become eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain status. And, these are mentioned below.

You should be able to:

  • Comply with the Standard English language requirements
  • Legally live in the United Kingdom for the minimum qualifying term specified by the Home Office (UK Immigration policy)
  • Meet the ‘character suitability’ standards, which include having no criminal record and not violating any immigration laws during your stay in the UK.
  • Meet the 180-day limit, which means you must not spend more than 180 days outside the UK in a 12-month period.
  • Pass the ‘Life in UK test’

The applicants listed below are excused from applying for ILR and are automatically considered for and awarded settled status in the UK:

  • Refugees with settled status in the United Kingdom as a result of the Gateway Protection Program
  • Children of British citizens or those with established status who are eligible for Permanent Residency/British Citizenship by descent- UK ancestry
  • An adult-dependent settled person/British Citizen who requires long-term care from a UK family member

These special instances indicate that gaining UK citizenship can be obtained without the need for a specific immigration visa or route.

If you followed the immigration rules and regulations while living in the UK on a settlement visa, you are eligible to apply for ILR. The minimum qualifying duration varies depending on the type of visa or immigration route you possess, and these are as follows:

    • Family Visa
    • Spouse Visa
    • T1 Investor Visa (Tier 1)
    • Tier 1 Start-up Visa
    • Tier 1 Innovator Visa
    • Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa
    • Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa
  • Global talent (Tier1 (Exceptional Talent)
  • Unmarried Civil Partner
  • Retired Person Visa
  • Returning Resident
  • Long residence
  • Skilled worker (Tier 2 (general)
  • T5 (Temporary worker) International Agreement Worker (Private Servant in a Diplomatic Household)
  • Overseas representatives (Media representative and Sole Representative)
  • T2 Ministry of Religion (Tier 2 Visa)
  • Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer Visa
  • T2 sportsperson (Tier 2 (Sportsperson)


There are less common procedures that will allow an applicant to become eligible for ILR without having to have a specific category visa.

In general, the following proof must be given with your application for Indefinite Leave to Remain:

  • A valid passport or travel document, including the old passport, as long as it was valid during your residency in the UK at the time of the ILR application.
  • A pass certificate for the ‘Life in the UK’ test.
  • Birth/adoption certificates (if applicable)
  • If you have previously immigrated to the UK under any Visa category, then you will need to provide a travel history.
  • The proof of travel, stating any time spent outside the UK during your residency period.
  • A certificate of English Proficiency with a passing grade (B1 level as specified by the CEFR).
  • Financial information including bank statements, etc.
  • Other specific relevant documentation is required for your specific visa category.
  • Immigration history.
  • A police registration certificate is necessary for persons who are required to register with the police upon arriving in the United Kingdom.

Our Unique Winning Process

01

Fixing an Appointment

We first understand all your current situation and ILR status-related requirements before we start working for you.

02

Pairing up

Understanding your ILR goals, we will pair you up with the perfect immigration lawyer.

03

Fulfilling Requirements

We will help you fulfil those certain requirements for ILR UK or, British citizenship or British nationality.

04

Seamless Visa Journey

Whether it is about applying for ILR or British nationality, we will make the journey smooth.

05

Fight for you

If you seek legal representation for British citizenship, we have a team of the best immigration solicitors and lawyers to help.

Indefinite Leave to Remain Explained by UK's #1 immigration Law Firm

Applying for an ILR can be a stressful affair. It is advisable to seek legal counsel, especially when dealing with refusals and relaunching appeals against Home Office decisions. Our tailored legal expertise can provide you with ILR appeal guidance. 

We make certain that our clients are successful in obtaining British citizenship and, as a result, are able to live the privileged life of a typical UK citizen. It is understandable that having your Indefinite Leave to Remain application denied can be very upsetting, but the good news is that in many situations, this can be overturned with the correct legal counsel.

Many ILR applications are denied for basic procedural grounds, such as errors on application forms, which is why having the assistance of an experienced immigration lawyer is critical.

 

Our legal team, backed by years of experience in settlement disputes, will ensure that your ILR application is free from any kind of errors and you do not suffer rejection owing to insufficient proof or errors in the application.

How the Application is Assessed

In order to make a successful Indefinite Leave to Remain application, the evidence must be provided to prove that:

  • The couple are still in a genuine and subsisting relationship;
  • The financial requirement is met;
  • The application cannot be refused under the General Grounds for Refusal;
  • Suitable accommodation is available to the couple;
  • The applicant has had leave as a partner (on the 5-year route) for 60 months;
  • The applicant meets the English and Life in UK requirements.

Further Information

You must be able to demonstrate that you meet the English language standard of B1 in speaking and hearing as stated by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain

Most applicants will need to have a certificate from an approved test provider to include in their Indefinite Leave to Remain application or be able to show the results online. 

Some people, however, will not be required to meet this criterion. Citizens of Commonwealth countries or majority English-speaking countries, for example, are frequently exempt.

The Life in the UK test is a required component of the Indefinite Leave to Remain application. The Life in the UK test, often known as the British Citizenship test, is centred on British culture, history, and traditions.

The test lasts 45 minutes and consists of randomly-generated 24 questions on the day of the test. To pass the test, you must obtain a score of at least 75%.

The Spouse Visa is one of the most common types of visa for those who want to join their partners in the UK.

A spouse of a settled partner can normally apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain status after five years of lawful residence in the UK.

The original Spouse Visa is valid for 30 months and can be extended for another 30 months at the conclusion. When the Spouse Visa Extension time expires, a spouse may file for ILR if they meet all of the requirements.

Indefinite Leave to Remain is a significant step in obtaining British citizenship. However, after a specific period of time living under ILR status, you will not immediately become a British citizen.

You will be allowed to apply for British citizenship after living in the UK for twelve months under ILR, provided your circumstances have not altered materially. To become a full British citizen, you must submit an application for a British citizenship via naturalisation to the Home Office.

You will be able to apply for a British passport and enjoy all of the privileges of citizenship as a British citizen.

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Intime Immigration Ltd is Registered in England and Wales (Company No: 12604998). It is a firm Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

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