Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK: Your Pathway to Settlement

1. Need further guidance?. conroybaker.com/uk-immigraton/indefinite-leave-to-remain-ilr May 16, 2023 This page covers the following topics Introduction What are the requirements Salary requirement Accommodation and financial requirements Life in the UK test Documents required Application process Cost of an indefinite Leave to Remain application Qualifying period Introduction Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Status is equivalent to permanent residency under UK immigration regulations. Foreign nationals can obtain an immigration status through ILR that enables them to work, study, and remain in the UK without any time or other restrictions. What are the requirements What requirements must one meet to be granted UK Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)? You must submit an ILR application to UKVI when your period of continuous legal residence in the UK ends. To further demonstrate your ILR eligibility, you must meet the eligibility criteria listed below: 1/5

2. 180 days or less of absences from the UK in any one year during the qualifying period Confirmation that you passed the Life in the UK Test Proof that you speak the English language at the necessary level Consistently residing legally in the UK for the minimum needed amount of time Evidence supporting the General Grounds for Refusal in your application, such as removing any prior convictions or immigration status infringement you may have Salary requirement What is the salary requirement for a UK Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)? Depending on the kind of leave they already have, ILR applicants may need to demonstrate that they fulfil the applicable minimum income criterion. For instance, persons who are in the UK on a skilled worker visa and wish to be given indefinite leave to remain must meet the requirements for the minimum wage by earning the greater of any of the following: £25,600 per year The hourly “going rate” for the job is £10.10 Accommodation and financial requirements What are the accommodation and financial requirements for a UK Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)? You will have to provide details about your financial situation and housing in the UK If you rent or own a house in the UK, you must provide documentation, such as a lease or mortgage agreement Include a letter from the landlord if you are renting the property You must submit a letter attesting to your right to live there if you are residing in a residence that is owned or rented by family or friends Include any supporting documents for any benefits you may have received while staying in the UK, as well Any document not in Welsh or English shall be accompanied by a certified translation. Life in the UK test What is the ‘life in the UK test’? The Life in the UK test must be passed to submit an application for ILR. The primary subjects of the Life in the UK multiple-choice questions include British history, customs, and culture To pass the test, you must obtain at least a 75% score When submitting an application for an ILR, you must provide the specific reference number you will receive if you pass the test 2/5

3. Documents required What are the documents required to apply for a UK Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)? To support your application, you will need to present proof of your identification and compliance with ILR rules. You must submit: Your current, valid passport or another acceptable travel ID If you have a biometric residence permit, present it All passports you have held while staying in the UK Evidence of accommodations and current residency Records of absences during your qualifying period Proof of English language ability Evidence of cohabitation residence if applying from a spouse or partner visa Additional legal records, such as a letter from a doctor or a police registration certificate Life in UK and English language proof If you are applying with dependents, you must present their birth certificates. Additional paperwork can also be required, depending on the type of visa you currently have. For instance, you must provide job details when applying for ILR as a skilled worker, whereas if you are asking for an ancestry visa, you must provide your grandparents’ birth and/or marriage certificates as proof of nationality. Unmarried partners must show proof of their shared living arrangements. Application process What is the application process for a UK Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)? If you are qualified and satisfy the necessary ILR requirements, you may submit an ILR application to the Home Office You must complete the relevant application form and provide supporting documentation. The majority of apps use SET (O) or SET (M) You can arrange a visit at a UKVCAS facility to deliver your biometric information after submitting your application At this appointment, if you haven’t previously, you can upload your supporting documents online You can be requested to attend an interview if UKVI needs additional information from you or your application Cost of an indefinite Leave to Remain application What is the cost of an ILR UK Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application? 3/5

4. As of May 2023, each applicant must pay a processing fee of £2,404 for an ILR application In addition, you will be charged £19.20 for submitting your biometric data Qualifying period What is the qualifying period for a UK ILR for different immigration status? You must have a legal status in the UK under a visa category that specifically leads to settlement for the full time spent on that category in order to be eligible for a UK ILR. Current category Qualifying ILR period Spouse or civil partner of a British Citizen or person settled in the UK visa After 5 years Unmarried partner After 5 years EEA Family Permit After 5 years UK Ancestry visa After 5 years Tier 1 (Investor) visa After 2, 3, or 5 years depending on the level of investment Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) After 3 or 5 years depending on the business activity Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa After 3 years Tier 2, T2, International Sportsperson or Skilled Worker visa After 5 years Scale Up visa After 5 years Innovator visa After 3 years Global Talent visa After 3 or 5 years, depending on your visa and endorsement type PBS visa dependants After 5 years Representative of overseas business visa After 5 years Turkish Worker of Businessperson visa After 5 years Retired Person visa After 5 years Discretionary Leave to Remain After 6 years 4/5

5. Current category Qualifying ILR period Long residence After 10 years of continuous legal residency in the UK Returning resident If settled in the UK prior to departure and returning to the UK within 3 years of departure, they may be able to apply immediately on return Turkish worker or businessperson After 5 years Talk to our UK Visa Expert to get accurate advice and assistance for your UK Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application. Office 104, 1st Floor, Norwich House, 1 Savile Street, Hull, HU1 3ES, United Kingdom Contact info@conroybaker.com Open Hours Monday – Saturday: 8am – 6pm 5/5