ILR or Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK Your FAQs Answered by the Indefinite Leave to Remain Lawyers at OTS Solicitors

Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) is a goal for many people who enter the UK on a visa and who hope to make the UK their home. In this article our indefinite leave to remain solicitors answer your questions about ILR.

If you have over questions or need more information about your own indefinite leave to remain application, call our friendly and approachable immigration solicitors .

UK Online and London Based Indefinite Leave to Remain Lawyers and Immigration Solicitors 

For advice on applying for indefinite leave to remain or help with any aspect of immigration law call the expert London immigration lawyers at OTS Solicitors on 0203 959 9123 or contact us online.

Why should I apply for indefinite leave to remain?

If you are in the UK and you are subject to immigration control then the likelihood is that you are living and working in the UK on a time limited visa, such as:

• A skilled worker visa or the old-style Tier 2 (General) visa.
• Another type of work visa such as the intra company transfer visa or health and care worker visa.
• A business visa, such as a global talent visa or an innovator visa or investor visa.
• A family visa or dependant visa.

If you are in the UK on a time limited visa it is crucial that you apply to extend your visa or switch visa or leave the UK before your current visa expires.

If you don’t apply for a new visa or leave the UK before you submit a new visa application then you risk jeopardising a future indefinite leave to remain application.

You should apply for indefinite leave to remain once you meet the ILR eligibility criteria because:

• You won't have to make repeat visa applications every few years.
• With indefinite leave to remain it is easier to prove your right to work and right to rent in the UK.
• If you are in the UK on a family visa then after you have secured your indefinite leave to remain you and your partner will no longer have to meet a financial requirement to maintain your indefinite leave to remain status.
• If you are in the UK on a skilled worker visa or Tier 2 (General) visa you will no longer be restricted to working for an employer who holds a Home Office issued sponsor licence. You will be able to apply for any type of job and you will have freedom of employment.
• If you are in the UK on a work visa your employer will no longer have to pay the immigration skills charge to continue to employ you.
• If you are in the UK on a business visa, such as an innovator visa or investor visa, your business will no longer have to meet the immigration rules relating to businesses owned by those in the UK on innovator visas. If you are in the UK on an investor visa your investments will no longer need to meet the immigration rules on investments for the investor visa.
• If you want to apply for British citizenship, you need indefinite leave to remain before you can make a British citizenship application.

In essence, indefinite leave to remain gives you freedom in comparison to life in the UK on a business, family or work visa. That is why indefinite leave to remain solicitors recommend that you look into making an ILR application as soon as you meet the eligibility criteria.

If you have settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, do you need to apply for indefinite leave to remain?

If you have settled status  under the EU Settlement Scheme you do not need to apply for indefinite leave to remain. That is because, like ILR, settled status is not time limited. If you have pre-settled status you should apply for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme  as soon as you meet the five-year residence eligibility criteria.

Does indefinite leave to remain make me a British citizen?

Indefinite leave to remain status does not make you a British citizen. It does however confer a settled status upon you so you are far more likely to feel that the UK is your long-term home.

How long does indefinite leave to remain last for? 

Indefinite leave to remain lasts for an indefinite or non-time limited time unless you lose ILR. This can only happen in limited circumstances. Therefore, if you secure indefinite leave to remain there is no legal or other requirement to go on to apply for British citizenship. However, British citizenship may be your ultimate goal for personal or other reasons.

Is it hard to get indefinite leave to remain?

Indefinite leave to remain lawyers say that it isn’t always hard to get indefinite leave to remain. Much depend on your circumstances. To give you an honest and full answer the indefinite leave to remain lawyers at OTS Solicitors would need to know more about your personal and financial  circumstances and your current visa status. For more information about the best way to obtain indefinite leave to remain give the immigration lawyers a call on 0203 959 9123.

 Can my family apply for indefinite leave to remain?

If your family are living with you in the UK on dependant visas then the likelihood is that they will meet the eligibility criteria to apply for ILR at the same time as you make your own indefinite leave to remain application.

Can I vote in the UK with indefinite leave to remain?

If you are politically minded, one thing you can't do with indefinite leave to remain is vote in general elections. To obtain the right to vote in the UK you will need to apply for British citizenship. There are other reasons why you may want to become a British citizen as many people see indefinite leave to remain as a stepping stone to British citizenship.

Will I lose my indefinite leave to remain if I leave the UK?

Under the immigration rules you may lose your indefinite leave to remain status if you leave the UK for more than two years. This may be a reason why you prefer British citizenship as a long-term solution as with British citizenship you can leave the UK for as long as necessary.

Once I have indefinite leave to remain can I apply for British citizenship straight away?

If you secure indefinite leave to remain you can't immediately apply for British citizenship. You have to wait at least a year before you can apply for British citizenship. The wait can be frustrating for some British citizenship applicants but the immigration rules mean you can't make an earlier application.

UK Online and London Based Indefinite Leave to Remain Lawyers and Immigration Solicitors 

For help with your indefinite leave to remain application or for assistance with any aspect of immigration law call the indefinite leave to remain lawyers and immigration team at OTS Solicitors on 0203 959 9123 or contact us online.