There are many advantages to gaining Indefinite Leave to Remain in the United Kingdom. ILR, as it is commonly referred to, allows you to stay in the UK without any time restrictions. Opens up a range of opportunities for work, travel, and citizenship.
This article will analyse what you require to do to acquire ILR and other aspects of it.
What is Indefinite Leave to Remain?
Before we dive into the process of gaining ILR, let’s first go over what it means.
The term “indefinite leave to remain” refers to the right to reside and do a job in the United Kingdom permanently. A person with this status has all of their rights fully restored, including access to state benefits and services, the opportunity to apply for British citizenship, and the ability to both leave and reenter the country freely.
While there are many benefits of having ILR, you should note that this status does not mean that you have gained British citizenship. While it may seem like a long process just to get Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, this process is often the first stage to gaining full citizenship.
When Is It Appropriate to Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain?
The following are general guidelines on applying for ILR in the UK. However, these are not set rules and can vary depending on your circumstances.
Indefinite leave to remain applications should normally be made if the person seeking status in the UK has been in the country for a continuous period of 5 years or more. However, there are exceptions to this guideline. If you have been in the UK for less than 5 years but meet specific criteria, you may be able to argue your case and gain ILR after living in the UK for several years instead.
To be qualified to apply for ILR in the United Kingdom, you must have resided in the nation constantly. It means having no periods of time where you were out of the country for more than 180 days at a time. If you do not meet these requirements but feel that you have a compelling case to gain ILR, you may be able to apply for a discretionary extension.
As part of this process, you would need to demonstrate that your presence in the UK is beneficial and should not be characterized as a burden on society or the economy.
What are the Requirements?
In order to gain Indefinite Leave to Remain, you must have lived in the UK for the last ten years and meet certain eligibility requirements.
Applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years of age;
- Have lived continuously in the UK for a minimum of 5 years as an adult,
- This period can include time as a student, worker, self-employed person or as the holder of a permanent residence permit;
- Have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK during those years in a row;
- Be able to meet a minimum income threshold.
In addition to meeting these requirements, applicants must also be able to demonstrate. They are still in need of refugee leave or humanitarian protection status and provide supporting documentation.
How Do I Apply?
After you have determined that you meet the requirements of Indefinite. Leave to Remain and would like to apply, the first step is to gather all of your relevant documents.
These documents will vary depending on your personal circumstances but may include:
- A valid passport;
- Photocopies of previous visas;
- Proof of income;
- A valid National Insurance number;
- Photocopies of bank statements from the last six months;
- Evidence that you have been in full-time employment for a minimum of three years.
In addition to these papers, applicants may be required to submit other paperwork depending on their situation. For more information about what you’ll require, go to the UK GOV. website.
Once you’ve gathered all of these papers, it’s time to submit your application. Applicants may be asked to join an interview with a Home Office official if they pass their initial test.
Conclusion
We hope this article was both informative and helpful to those seeking Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK. However, we’d like to emphasize that obtaining ILR is a time-consuming procedure. Make sure that you consult with an immigration professional to ensure. Your application is strong and does not contain errors or omissions.
