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OUR EXPERTISE

INDEFINITE LEAVE TO REMAIN (IRL)

Indefinite leave to remain can also be referred to as Permanent residence or Settlement in the UK. Indefinite leave to remain allows you to live in the UK on a permanent basis.

 

 You will be free to do the following:

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  • Live in UK.

  • Work.

  • Have access to public funds.

 

Requirements for Indefinite leave to remain (ILR)

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  • You have continuously lived in the UK without any breaks in your stay (3c leave) for the required qualifying period.

  • The qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain can vary whether under 5 year route or 10 years long residence depending on visa you have been on.

  • You can show you are of good character.

  • You have passed the Life in UK test.

  • You can prove your knowledge of English (B1 IELTS level or you have a degree which was taught in English and have supporting evidence through Ecctis).

  • You have not spent more than 180 days outside of the UK in a year.
     

After 12months on indefinite leave to remain you will be eligible to apply for British citizenship. Once you have naturalised as a British citizen you can then apply for a British passport.

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What are the exemptions when applying for Indefinite leave to remain?
 

You may be able to apply indefinite leave to remain without meeting the requirements due to factors such as being a victim of Domestic abuse, or if your partner or spouse dies or being a refugee.  There is an exemption for meeting the English language requirement if you are over the of 65 years or there are medical factors with medical evidence that you cannot undertake the English test.

 

Indefinite leave to remain for dependents.

 

Dependents who under the main applicant visa can apply for indefinite leave to remain when they reach their qualifying period in the uk.

 

This includes:

 

  • Partners or unmarried partners.

  • Children under the age of 18.

  • Children over the age of 18 who are financially dependent on the main applicant.
     

Countries exempt from undertaking English Language test:

 

  • Antigua and Barbuda.

  •  Australia.

  • The Bahamas.

  •  Barbados.

  •  Belize.

  •  Canada.

  •  Dominica.

  •  Grenada.

  • Guyana.

  • Jamaica.

  •  Ireland (citizenship only).

  • Malta.

  • New Zealand.

  •  St Kitts and Nevis.

  • St Lucia.

  •  St Vincent and the Grenadines.

  • Trinidad and Tobago.

  •  USA.

     

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