Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

To qualify for ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain), you most commonly must have leave in the UK as:

• A partner
• A family member
• A certain type of worker
• On continuous and long-term lawful residence
• With Ancestry ties

The dependent child of a British citizen or person with settled status (ILR) may be given immediate Leave to Remain indefinitely. Refugees who are resettled in the UK through the Gateway Protection Programme will also receive ILR UK.

To start your ILR UK application you must already be in the UK and, in many cases, will need to demonstrate a solid knowledge of language and life in the UK. Certain applicants are exempt from this, including:

• children under the age of 18;
• parents;
• grandparents;
• and other dependent relatives of those with settled status or those with refugee status.

The ILR requirements include passing a ‘Life in the UK test’ and English Language requirement. The English Language test is not required for applicants who have a degree or qualification in English. The test is also waived for nationals of an English-speaking country.

As part of the ILR UK application, you will also be required to submit your biometric information (fingerprints and facial image). This will allow you to obtain your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). This will confirm your immigration status and entitlements.

If you are not yet eligible to submit your ILR UK application, you may be able to extend your current visa. This is known as Further Leave to Remain. Most visa categories can be extended, except for Visitor Visas which can only be granted for up to six months. Although there are limited circumstances in which you can switch to another visa.

You must apply for Further Leave to Remain before your current visa permission expires. If you do not, you may be considered an overstayer and will risk an order for enforced removal.

If you have been out of the UK for a continuous period of two years, you may have lost your permission for ILR.

You will need to sit a Life in the UK test as part of your ILR application if you are between the ages of 18 and 65.

This test is a standard exam to test your knowledge of British traditions, customs, history, and culture. To pass the test and make sure you satisfy this requirement for your ILR application, you must score 75% or above.

There is a fee for this test which you must pay every time you take it. You may take the test as many times as you need to.

Unfortunately, passing the Life in the UK test is not enough on its own to qualify for ILR in the UK.

You will also need to satisfy a number of other requirements. As of October 2013, passing a relevant English Language qualification is one of these. This is only required for those who are not nationals of an English-speaking country.

For full details of the requirements for an ILR application, and to make sure you meet all the requirements, speak to an immigration lawyer today.

It is highly likely that previous convictions will affect your Indefinite Leave to Remain application. However, this will depend on your individual circumstances.

If you have spent your convictions, this could still affect your application, depending on the type of conviction.

If you are concerned about any convictions you may have that would affect your application for ILR UK, speak with an immigration lawyer.

IAS has a wealth of knowledge on applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), including appeals in the event of a refusal. As the UK’s leading immigration advice firm, we have an extensive track record of successful applications for ILR UK.

Our services include:

• Liaising with you in person, over the phone or via Skype;
• Confirming your eligibility for ILR;
• Ensuring your documents are sufficient and professionally organized;
• Communicating with the Home Office throughout your application;
• Completing your application form in a high-quality and expert manner;
• Assisting you with preparing for the ‘Life in the UK test’;
• Ensuring you meet the English Language requirement if necessary.

Please do not hesitate to contact the lawyers at IAS to start your application for the ILR Visa as soon as possible. You can use our online inquiry form or call us on +1844 290 6312.