Settle in the United Kingdom
Do you want to settle in the UK? The United Kingdom remains a desirable destination for many people from outside the EU in search of a better life for their families. With great healthcare, world-class education, and lots of art, history, and culture, it’s an excellent place to call home. Obtaining permanent residence UK status is usually a lengthy process, taking an average of 5 years, depending on which route you are applying under. This article explains who is eligible for permanent residence in UK, the various routes to residency, how to apply and how long it all takes.
42944
GDP Per Capita (2020, USD)
66.65
U.K. Population (2019)
3630
Average Monthly Income (USD)
UK Permanent Residency
Also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain, UK permanent residence is an immigration status granted to a person without the Right of Abode. An individual with permanent resident status can live and work in the UK indefinitely. You will no longer have any immigration restrictions on working or business in the UK and no time limits on your stay. However, the right can lapse if an individual spends more than 2 years continuously outside the country.
Visa categories that can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain include:
- Spouse visa / Unmarried partner visa (after 2 years for visas issued prior to 9 July 2012)
- Tier 1 visa / UK work permit (after 5 years)
- UK ancestry visa (after 5 years)
- EU nationals and dependents (after 5 years)
- Long residence (after 10 years legal residency in the UK)
ILR Qualification Criteria
To qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) you must satisfy the following criteria:
- You must complete 5 years of continuous residence in the UK and adhere to certain income requirements
- Keep a detailed record of any absences from the UK over the last 5 years, as any lengthy absences may impact upon your application
- You must demonstrate a good knowledge of language and life in the UK, by way of the Life in the UK' test - a compulsory 45 minute test devised for foreign nationals seeking indefinite leave to remain in the UK or naturalization as a British citizen.
How to get Permanent Residence UK for Non-EU Citizens
Applying for indefinite leave to remain is often complex in some cases. However, if you have lived legally in the UK for at least 5 years, chances are you qualify for residency.
When it comes to residency, completing the application is, indeed, one of the last things you will do. First, you need to check your eligibility and collect all the relevant paperwork. Then you need to ensure you have access to all details about your immigration history, especially if you have been on a variety of visas since your arrival in the country.
Finally, when you put all this together, you can complete the application form with a degree of confidence.
Why Work With us to Ensure Your UK Immigration is Successful
Living in the UK presents amazing experiences. It is a country with profound cultural foundations, a social environment and a public health service like no other, and a renowned education system. If you want to ensure your best chances at getting an approval on your ILR visa application, then we recommend you work with us before submitting. We have helped thousands and thousands of individuals and families successfully enter the United Kingdom on permanent residency visa, and we can help you too!
Frequently Asked Questions: UK Immigration
Find answers to frequently asked questions about immigrating to the UK.
Applications for permanent residence in the UK can be made online, and usually require a copy of the correct completed form, your passport, biometric information, and the required supporting documents.
Becoming a permanent resident for international students is securing the “indefinite leave to remain (ILR) Visa”. After 5 years of completing a graduate job, a person can apply for the ILR. A stable income along with a full-time job, good moral conduct with no criminal record will help in securing the ILR visa.
It requires an investment of at least £2,000,000 in either British corporate bonds, share capital or loan capital in active and trading UK-registered companies. This is one o the fastest and most secure ways to obtain UK residency. You can be approved in as little as 10 weeks!
So all in all, before you move to the UK you're going to need potentially $3,000 to $4,000 for the cost of your visa and health care. Once you're there you might want to have $2000 available to cover rent, bills and bond.
- Tier 1 Visa for highly skilled immigrants through a points-based system.
- Tier 2 Visa for skilled workers who are sponsored by an employer in the UK.
- Tier 5 Provisional Work Visa through the Youth Mobility Scheme.
- Tier 4 UK Study Visa.
- Marriage to a UK national/EU citizen.
- Application for asylum.
British citizenship applications can take between 2-6 months. You can't apply for them via the Premium Same Day Service such as for visa and ILR applications. The application must be mailed. In our experience, the vast majority of applicants have their application approved within 3-4 months.
You can apply for British citizenship by 'naturalisation' if you: ... are married to, or in a civil partnership with someone who is a British citizen ... or if you have lived in the UK for at least 3 years before the date of your application.
Marriage or civil partnerships in the UK does not automatically grant citizenship to the spouse that is not a UK resident. Therefore, when a person marries a UK citizen and ultimately wishes to remain and live in the UK, they must apply for legal recognition of their status to remain in the UK.
UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) offer a visa to Non-EU partners who are in a genuine and subsisting relationship to live and work together in the UK. If your partner is a British national or has settlement status in the UK, you can apply for the Unmarried Partner Visa.
- Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status)
- Prove you have right of abode in the UK.
- Apply to settle in the UK if your partner dies.
- Settlement: refugee or humanitarian protection.
- Apply to stay in the UK as a stateless person.
- Apply for settlement if you're a Turkish Worker or Businessperson.
In order to apply for most work visas, you'll usually need to gain a job offer with sponsorship from an employer in the UK first. However, you can apply for a Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) visa without sponsorship if you: Want to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years. Are 18 to 30 years old.
British citizenship applications can take between 2-6 months. You can't apply for them via the Premium Same Day Service such as for visa and ILR applications. The application must be mailed. In our experience, the vast majority of applicants have their application approved within 3-4 months.
Actualize your dream to settle in the UK
The first step towards living permanently in the UK is getting an assessment of your case. Please click the "Get Started" button so we can determine your eligibility to move to the United Kingdom.