ILR Applications

ILR Applications [Apply For Indefinite Leave To Remain (ILR)]

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), sometimes known as settlement or permanent settlement, is permission to stay in the UK permanently granted by the Home Office, UKVI. If you have ILR or ILE, there is no longer any time limit for your ability to stay in the UK. If you have ILR or ILE and your permanent home is in the UK, you are regarded as settled in the UK. As specialist ILR solicitors, we can provide expert legal help and assistance with ILR or ILE applications.

Specialist ILR Solicitors

Our team of expert ILR solicitors are not just specialists, but also possess a wealth of knowledge and experience in dealing with all types of Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) applications. This expertise allows us to provide high-quality legal services for ILR applications, a fact that is self-evident from the reviews of our clients, who have praised the excellent immigration services offered by our highly experienced and qualified immigration lawyers.

As expert ILR solicitors based in London we are registered with the Home Office, UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) and its commercial partners UKVCAS Sopra Steria to provide Super Priority Service (SPS) for ILR applications whereby decision on your ILR application will be made by the Home Office UKVI within 24 hours of the enrolment of your biometrics at a designated service centre.

Our ILR solicitors can prepare and submit your ILR application to the Home Office, UKVI, through ILR – Super Priority Service and get a decision on your ILR application within 24 hours. This way, you will not have to wait for the decision on your application for months (sometimes years).

What Are The Most Common Requirements For Indefinite Leave To Remain (ILR)?

Most applicants for ILR are required to satisfy the following requirements to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK:

Residence Requirement

You can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK once you have lived in the UK for a certain number of years, as required by the Immigration Rules. In most visa categories, an application for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) can only be made to the Home Office UKVI once the applicant has lived in the UK for at least five years. In specific visa categories, an accelerated route to settlement is available whereby the applicant can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) even before completing five years of residence in the UK. An application for ILR can be made 28 days before the ILR qualifying period is completed.

Absences From The UK

The ‘Absences From The UK’ rule is a crucial condition for ILR application. Almost all the work visa categories require all ILR applicants not to be absent from the UK for more than 180 days in any 12 months during the ILR qualifying period. However, this restriction of 180 days does not apply to ILR applications as family members of British Citizens and settled persons.

Not Falling For Refusal On General Grounds

One of the key factors in the success of the ILR application is to ensure that the applicant’s application does not fall for refusal on general grounds. The general grounds for refusal are set out in Part 9 of the Immigration Rules. For instance, a person who has a non-custodial sentence or other out of court disposal within the last 24 months of the date of application for ILR falls for refusal on general grounds by virtue of paragraph 322(1)(C) of the Immigration Rules.

Life In The UK Test

Except for very few categories, all applicants for ILR must pass the Life in the UK test before applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK. All applicants over the age of 65 and under the age of 18 are exempt from meeting the Life in the UK test requirement. It may also be possible to seek exemption from meeting this requirement on medical grounds.

English Language Proficiency At Level B1

Except very few categories, all applicants for ILR must meet the English proficiency at level B1 of CEFR in listening and speaking only before applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK. All applicants over the age of 65 and under the age of 18 are exempt from meeting the English language requirement. It may also be possible to seek exemption from meeting this requirement on medical grounds.

ILR As Family Members Of British Citizens & Settled Persons

Our expert team of immigration solicitors in London can provide fast, friendly, reliable and fixed-fee legal services for following ILR applications as family members of British Citizens or settled persons. Our expert team of immigration solicitors can provide ILR Super Priority Service (decision within 24 hours) or ILR Priority Service (decision within five working days) for most of the ILR applications as family members of British Citizens or settled persons.

ILR As A Spouse (5 Years Route)
ILR As A Spouse (10 Years Route)
ILR As A Civil Partner (5 Years Route)
ILR As A Civil Partner (10 Years Route)
ILR As An Unmarried Partner (5 Years Route)
ILR As An Unmarried Partner (10 Years Route)
ILR As A Same-Sex Partner (5 Years Route)
ILR As A Same-Sex Partner (10 Years Route)
ILR As A Victim Of Domestic Violence
ILR As A Bereaved Partner
ILR As Adult Dependent Relative (ADR)
ILR As A Parent Of A British Child (5 Years Route)
ILR As A Parent Of A British Child (10 Years Route)
Entry Clearance For Indefinite Leave To Enter (ILE) As A Child Under 18
ILR As A Child – SET (F) Application
Entry Clearance For Indefinite Leave To Enter As An Adopted Child
ILR As An Adopted Child

ILR For Work Visa Holders

Our expert team of immigration solicitors in London can provide fast, friendly, reliable and fixed-fee legal services for following ILR applications for work visa holders. Our specialist team of immigration solicitors can provide ILR Super Priority Service (decision within 24 hours) or ILR Priority Service (decision within 5 working days) for most of the ILR applications as work visa holders.

ILR As A Skilled Worker
ILR As Tier 1 Entrepreneur Migrant
ILR Tier 1 Entrepreneur Under Accelerated Route
ILR As Innovator Migrant
ILR As Global Talent Migrant
ILR As T1 Investor
ILR As T2 Minister Of Religion
ILR As UK Ancestry Migrant
ILR As Sole A Sole Representative
ILR As Overseas Media Representative
ILR As A BNO Citizen
ILR As A Turkish ECAA Worker
ILR As A Turkish ECAA Businessperson

ILR For Work Visa Dependants

Our expert team of work visa solicitors in London can provide fast, friendly, reliable and fixed-fee legal services for following ILR applications for work visa dependants. We can provide ILR Super Priority Service (decision within 24 hours) or ILR Priority Service (decision within five working days) for most ILR applications as work visa dependants.

ILR As PBS Dependants
ILR As Innovator Dependant
ILR As A Sole Representative Dependant
ILR As UK Ancestry Dependant
ILR As Global Talent Dependant
ILR As A Dependant Of A Turkish ECAA Worker
ILR As A Dependant Of Turkish ECAA Businessperson

ILR On The Basis Of Private Life & Discretionary Leave

Our expert team of immigration solicitors in London can provide fast, friendly, reliable and fixed-fee legal services for following ILR applications based on Private and Discretionary Leave. We can provide ILR Super Priority Service (decision within 24 hours) or ILR Priority Service (decision within five working days) for most ILR applications based on private life and discretionary leave.

ILR – 20 Years Long Residence
ILR – 7 Years Child Route
ILR – Over 18, Under 25 and Lived Half Of Life In The UK
ILR – Very Significant Obstacles To Integration
ILR – Discretionary Leave

ILR Applications By Members Of HM Forces & Their Family Members

Our expert team of immigration solicitors in London is committed to providing fast, friendly, reliable, and, most importantly, fixed-fee legal services for ILR applications by members of HM Forces & their Family Members. We offer the ILR Super Priority Service (decision within 24 hours) or the ILR Priority Service (decision within 5 working days) for most ILR applications for members of HM Forces and their family members.

ILR Application On Discharge From HM Forces
Entry Clearance For Indefinite Leave To Enter (ILE) On Discharge From HM Forces
Indefinite Leave To Enter (ILE) As A Partner Of Member Of HM Forces
ILR As A Partner Of A Member Of HM Forces
Indefinite Leave To Enter (ILE) As A Bereaved Partner Of Member Of HM Forces
ILR As A Bereaved Partner Of A Member Of HM Forces
ILR As A Partner Of A Member Of HM Forces Who Is Victim Of Domestic Violence
Indefinite Leave To Enter (ILE) As A Child Of A Member Of HM Forces
ILR As A Child Of A Member Of HM Forces
Indefinite Leave To Enter (ILE) As A Bereaved Child Of A Member Of HM Forces
ILR As A Bereaved Child Of A Member Of HM Forces

Miscellaneous Other ILR/PR Applications

Settled Status Application
ILR – 10 Years Long Residence
ILR As A Refugee ILR – Humanitarian Protection
Returning Resident Visa Entry Clearance
ILR As A Stateless Person
ILR As A Family Member Of A Stateless Person

FAQs – ILR As Health and Care Worker

I am currently on a Tier 2 General visa and have a new job, making me eligible to apply for a Health and Care worker visa. Can I apply for ILR after combining my five-year stay under a Tier 2 General and Health and Care worker visa?

You can combine time spent under a Tier 2 General visa with a Health and Care Worker visa to apply for ILR after five years as a Health and Care worker.

FAQs – ILR Skilled Worker Visa

When can I apply for ILR as a Skilled Worker?

You can apply for ILR as a Skilled Worker 28 days before completing a five-year qualifying period for ILR.

How can I apply for ILR as a Skilled Worker?

You can apply for ILR as a Skilled Worker online using the SET (O) application form.

Can I apply for ILR as a Skilled Worker using Super Priority Service or Priority Service?

You can apply for ILR as a Skilled Worker using Super Priority Service for a decision within 24 hours or using Priority Service for a decision within five working days.

Our specialist team of Skilled Worker visa solicitors can provide expert legal help and assistance with your application for ILR as a Skilled Worker.

What is a qualifying period requirement for ILR as a Skilled Worker?

The applicant must have spent a continuous period of 5 years in the UK, consisting of time with permission in any of, or any combination of, the following routes:

Skilled Worker
Tier 2 (General)
Global Talent
Innovator
T2 Minister of Religion / Tier 2 (Minister of Religion)
T2 Sportsperson / Tier 2 (Sportsperson)
Representative of an Overseas Business
Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent)
Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)
Tier 1 (Investor)
Tier 1 (General)

The most recent permission must have been in either the Skilled Worker or Tier 2 (General) route. An applicant does not need to have switched from Tier 2 (General) to Skilled Worker before applying for settlement as a Skilled Worker, as the definition of Skilled Worker in the Immigration Rules includes those with permission in the Tier 2 (General) route.

What is the continuous residence requirement for ILR as a Skilled Worker?

The applicant must meet the continuous residence requirement in Appendix Continuous Residence during the qualifying period for ILR as a Skilled Worker / Tier 2 General Migrant.

Do I need to meet the Life in the UK test and English language requirement for ILR as a Skilled Worker?

To apply for ILR as a skilled worker, you must meet the requirements for knowledge of Life in the UK in Appendix KOL UK.

You do not need to meet an English language requirement for settlement, as you will have met this in your previous Skilled Worker visa application.

Can I combine time spent under an ECAA Turkish Worker visa or Turkish ECAA Businessperson visa with time spent under a Skilled Worker visa to apply for ILR as a Skilled Worker?

No, you cannot combine time spent under the ECAA Turkish Worker visa or ECAA Turkish Businessperson visa with time spent under a Skilled Worker visa to apply for ILR after five years as a Skilled Worker. Your qualifying time for ILR as a Skilled Worker will start from scratch once you switch from an ECAA Turkish Wroker visa or ECAA Turkish Businessperson visa to a Skilled Worker visa.

FAQs – ILR Skilled Worker / Tier 2 General Dependants

My wife and I are on indefinite leave to remain on a visa. Our daughter is on a tier 2 dependent visa, which expires at the end of this month. She has completed three years on a tier 2 dependent visa. She was born outside the UK. Can we directly apply for her indefinite leave to remain, or do we need to use a tier 2 dependent visa again so that we can complete 5 years under the same category and then apply for ILR?

If both parents hold ILR in the UK, the child can apply for ILR, and there is no minimum residence requirement for your child’s ILR application. You can apply for ILR for your child without applying for an extension of the dependant visa.

FAQs – ILR Applications

Can I apply for ILR 28 days before the completion of 5 years or 28 days before the expiry of my current visa after I have completed five years?

If you are on a spouse visa, your qualifying time for ILR would start from your first entry in the UK rather than from the date you were granted entry clearance (UK visa). If you are on a work visa, your time for qualifying for ILR can start from the date the entry clearance was granted and not necessarily from the date of first entry in the UK. You can apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) 28 days before the completion of 5 years, and you do not necessarily have to wait for 28 days before the expiry of your current visa.

FAQs – ILR As Dependant Of Global Talent Migrant

Can a spouse of a Global Talent applicant apply for ILR after five years even if the husband (principal applicant) does not want to apply for ILR?

It is impossible to apply for ILR as a Dependent where the application is neither for ILR nor has already been granted ILR.