Various Ways To Apply For Indefinite Leave To Remain In The UK

Individuals should be aware that indefinite leave to remain is required to settle in the United Kingdom. On occasion, this is also referred to as “settlement.” It allows individuals to live, work, and study there indefinitely, as well as apply for benefits if eligible. Additionally, they can use it to apply for British citizenship.

There are different ways to apply for the right to stay indefinitely, depending on the situation of the person applying.

Under the EU Settlement Scheme, they may be able to apply for settled status if they or a member of their family are citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland.

Working people in the UK

Applicants may be eligible if they possess a valid work visa.

Typically, these individuals must have resided and worked in the United Kingdom for five years. If they have a Tier 1 visa, the duration can be between two and three years. If the visa is for an innovator or a global talent, it can be valid for three years.

Please note that depending on their visa, they may also need to meet wage or financial restrictions.

How individuals apply will depend on whether they are:

• Be in possession of a Tier 2, T2, International Sportsperson, or Skilled Worker visa;

• Be in possession of a scale-up worker visa;

• Have a Global Talent, Tier 1 Entrepreneur, or Investor visa;

• possess an innovator visa;

• Represent an international company;

• Possess a Worker or Businessperson visa for Turkey;

• You have an International Agreement visa and are a private servant in a diplomatic residence or a domestic worker.

Family in the United Kingdom

Individuals who have a partner, parent, child, or other relative settled in the United Kingdom as either a British citizen or a person with indefinite leave to remain may be eligible to apply.

How they apply will depend on the type of visa they possess and where their relative has landed. Please note that there are more ways to apply if their partner passed away or their relationship ended due to domestic abuse.

BEING IN THE UK FOR TEN YEARS

Applicants may be eligible if they have lived in the area for at least 10 years. Please note that there is a different application process for those who hold a visa based on their private lives, and that these applications began to be accepted in June 2022.

A COMMONWEALTH CITIZEN

Citizens of the Commonwealth who have lived in the United Kingdom for five years on a UK ancestry visa are eligible to apply.

Certain inhabitants of the Commonwealth enjoy “right of abode” in the United Kingdom. This means that there are no limits on their ability to reside or work in the United Kingdom. Those who believe they qualify must determine if they can submit an application to establish their right of residence in the United Kingdom.

Alternatively, these individuals may be eligible for citizenship, for example, through the Windrush program.

OTHER WAYS TO APPLY

Refugees, those with humanitarian protection, and those with discretionary leave may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain. Individuals who have already been granted indefinite leave to remain or who have served in the United Kingdom’s military forces are also eligible to apply.