Many people around the world are trying to apply for permanent residence UK but with no ideas. Our blog, centered on permanent visa UK, will show you a well-rounded introduction, including step-by-step guidance on document preparation, processing timelines, and common pitfalls to avoid.
Why Choose Permanent Residence UK?
The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford revels that approximately 14% of the UK people was born abroad and 35% of the immigrants lives in London, which proves that the UK is multicultural and integrated. In addition, there is an fantastic healthcare system in the UK. For instance, the National Health Service (NHS), free for citizens, is considered to be among the best worldwide, which is affordable, safe, and efficient. Meanwhile, it’s also home to world-class universities, such as Oxford and Cambridge, and has a robust innovation and education system, which has cultivated numerous talents. All these above contribute to more permanently resident in the United Kingdom.
Meaning of Permanent Residence UK
Permanent Residence UK (PR UK), also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), indicates that you can live and work in the UK for an indefinite period pf time. With a permanent stay in UK, you’ll not have immigration restrictions on your job or time limitations on your stay. Meanwhile, after 12 months, you can be qualified to apply for British citizenship. However, if you spends more than two consecutive years outside of the UK, your right of UK permanent residence can lapse. In addition, applicants should stay in the UK for at least 5 years, and different duration relies on different visas. The details are presented here.
| Type of Visa | Minimum Duration of Stay |
|---|---|
| Business Visa | 3 – 5 years |
| Work Visa | 5 years |
| Family Visa | 5 years |
| Long Residence to ILR | 10 years |
Qualifications of United Kingdom PR
If you are planning to become a permanently resident in the United Kingdom, you need to meet the standards of applications. The requirements are as follows:
- Language Criteria: You need to pass the certain examinations, including IELTS, Pearson or LanguageCert, to prove your English capability.
- Life in the UK Test: You should pass Life in the UK Test, where you, within 45 minutes, need to answer 24 questions about the traditions and customs of the UK.
- Good Character Requirement: You need to fulfill the good character requirement, which is targeted at over-10-year-old residents. It reveals that you have no criminal record and no history of violating rules.
- Residency Requirements: Depending on different visas, you need to live in the UK for at least more than two years. And you can’t live outside the UK for over 180 days within 12 months.
Approaches to Permanent Residence UK
Many wonder how to apply for the United Kingdom PR, so in this part, we’ll offer you some detailed information of the requirements. The following paragraphs show you the criteria of PR in England.
Possessing a Work Visa
The first way to apply for British permanent residence is that if you have gotten work visa in the UK, you need to meet the criteria, on the basis of your visa, related to salary. The different types of visa are displayed in the table.
| Table of Different Types of Working Visa | |
|---|---|
| Type of Visa | Requirements of Eligibility |
| International Sportsperson, Skilled Worker, T2 or Tier 2 Visa | • Having lived and worked for 5 years in the UK |
| • Meeting the salary requirements | |
| • Document from your employer or sponsor to confirm | |
| Scale-up Worker Visa | • Having lived and worked for 5 years in the UK |
| • Meeting the salary requirements | |
| Global Talent, Tier 1 Entrepreneur or Investor Visa | • Having Lived in the UK for 2 – 5 years |
| • Meeting the salary requirements | |
| Innovator Founder Visa | • Having Lived in the UK for 3 years |
| • New endorsement showing that you’ve met your requirements for expanding your business | |
| Representative of an Overseas Business Visa | • Having lived and worked in the UK for 5 years |
| • Proof that your employer still requires you | |
| • Proof of actively trading of the establishment of a UK-registered branch | |
| Turkish Worker or Businessperson Visa | • Having lived and worked in the UK for 5 years without receiving any public funds |
| • Proof of your English language proficiency | |
| • Having passed the Life in the UK test | |
| Overseas Domestic Worker Visa | • Domestic worker in a private household |
| • Having applied for a domestic worker visa on or before April 5, 2012 | |
| • Having living legally as a domestic worker for 5 years | |
| • Having maintained and accommodated without use of any public funds throughout 5 years | |
| • Having gained knowledge of English and Life in the UK. | |
Having a Family Visa
The second way to apply for a permanent visa UK is you have a parent, child, spouse or relative settled in the UK. Depending on different visas, you may qualify to apply for ILR after just a two-year residence period. The different ways to apply for the United Kingdom PR are listed here.
| Table of Different Types of Family Visa | |
|---|---|
| Type of Visa | Requirements of Eligibility |
| Partner (Family Visa) | • Having family visa as a partner or spouse |
| • Having a partner settled in the UK as a British citizen or with a UK PR | |
| Partner (Dependant on Work Visa) | • Depending on your partner’s work visa |
| • Having a partner who is applying to settle without time limits | |
| Parent (Family Visa) | • Having a child living in the UK as a British citizen or with a UK PR |
| • Having a child is applying for PR at the same time as you | |
| Child (Family Visa) | • Having a family visa as a child |
| • Having a parent who is a British citizen or with a UK PR | |
| Child (Dependent on Work Visa) | • Having a parent is settled in the UK |
| • Having a parent who is applying to settle in the UK using their work visa | |
| Adult Dependent Relative (Family Visa) | • 18+ years of age |
| • Having permission to enter the UK as an adult dependent relative | |
Having Lived in the UK for 10 Years
You are able to become a permanent UK resident if you have lived in the UK for 10 years. Continuous Residence means you’re legally living in the UK continuously for 10 years and allows you, in any months, to leave the UK during the stay for up to 180 days. But if you are not qualified for the permanent residence in UK, you can prolong your stay for 2 years.
A Commonwealth Citizen
If you’ve lived in the UK for 5 consecutive years on a UK Ancestry Visa, you can apply for the United Kingdom permanent residence. You can’t leave the UK during the stay for more than 180 days within a year. You need to prove that you are you’re still a citizen of Commonwealth, you’re going to work in the UK, and wealthy enough to support yourself.
Other Ways to Get Permanent Residence UK
Except for the above ways, there are still many other ways for you to become a permanent residence UK. If you are a refugee or receive humanitarian protection, Discretionary or Section 67 Leave, you can apply for UK permanent residence; if you used to have United Kingdom PR and have come back to the UK within 1 years, you can still have a permanent stay in UK; and if you have been in the Armed Forces for at least 4 years, you can still get a permanent visa UK.
How to Apply for Permanent Residence UK?
If you are seeking the permanent stay in UK, you must finish the application, which is not so complicated as you think. This section provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to help you navigate the entire application procedure with confidence, covering everything from eligibility requirements to document preparation and submission. But you need to know that finishing the application is among the last things you need to do.
- Firstly, you need to finish the application form, which is based on your visa type, on the official UK visa government website.
- Secondly, you should pay the application fees.
- Thirdly, you’re expected to offer your biometric information, like photos and fingerprints, for the visa center in the UK.
- Fourthly, you need to provide relevant documents, including Payslips, Bank account statements, Council tax letters, Letter from employer on company-headed paper.
Advantages of United Kingdom PR
It’s widely known that there are many benefits of permanent residence UK, so in this section, we’ll offer you the detailed information to help you have a better understanding.
Seeking British Citizenship
You’re able to apply for British citizenship one year later after becoming a permanent resident in the UK. Before applying, you must have lived in the UK for 5 years, however, if your spouse is a British citizen, you need to work for 3 years. This is the most effective way to seek British Citizenship, though there are many other ways.
Receiving Healthcare
If you have gained a permanent visa UK, you’ll be able to, via the National Health Service (NHS), access to free healthcare, meaning you’re qualified to receive various treatments in terms of health, like hospital care and medicine.
Getting Jobs and Education
As a permanently resident in the United Kingdom, you’re able to access to various schools and job chances, which can’t be gained for those with a limited visa. Meanwhile, it’s easier for you to gain some jobs and unnecessary to prove your right to work in Britain.
Access to the UK
If you are a permanent resident UK, you can freely get into or leave the UK and travel without applying for a visa each time. But if you spends more than two consecutive years outside of the UK, your right of UK permanent residence can lapse, requiring you to reapply.
Accommodation Benefits
A permanent visa UK can give you accommodation benefits and you’re able to access to all kinds of benefits and local support, like assistance in your rental.
Bringing Family Members
If you have gained PR in England, your immediate relatives, including spouse, children, grandchildren, parents and grandparents, have the capability to access to the EU Settlement Scheme; the extended relatives, such as partner, sister, brother, uncle, aunt, cousin, niece, nephew, can also apply for it with a residence card of UK, but they need to meet the same standards as yours.
Having Social Security
As a permanent UK resident, you can, in the same way as other citizens in the UK, receive diverse security benefits, such as child allowance, unemployment benefit, unemployment insurance, national insurance pension credits.
Limitations of Permanent Residence UK
Although permanent residence UK offers significant benefits, some restrictions are still noticeable. For instance, residents must not exceed a cumulative absence of two years from the UK, which may invalidate their pre-settled status. Furthermore, permanent residence status may be withdrawn in cases of criminal conviction or failure to meet ongoing financial obligations. It should be noted that permanent residence status does not automatically confer British citizenship, which requires a separate application process, including successful completion of the Life in the UK test.
How Can uhome.com Help?
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Conclusion of Permanent Residence UK
After reading our blog of permanent residence UK, you must have a comprehensive understanding, which can help you when applying for the United Kingdom PR. Remember that processing times may vary depending on your circumstances, so early preparation is key. May your journey to the UK happy!
FAQ about Permanent Residence UK
How do I get permanent residency in the UK?
First, remain in the country for two years under the Graduate Route (formerly known as the PSW visa). During this period, secure employment in a skilled occupation that qualifies for a Skilled Worker Visa (previously Tier 2). After maintaining this visa status and working in the UK for a continuous five-year period, you become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which grants permanent residency status.
How long do you need to stay in the UK to get permanent residency?
Before applying, you must have lived in the UK for 5 years, however, if your spouse is a British citizen, you need to work for 3 years.
Is UK permanent residence easy?
Obtaining permanent residency (PR) in the UK is a straightforward process, but the specific requirements vary depending on your entry route—whether as an international student, a family member/spouse of a UK citizen, or a skilled worker on a visa.
What is the fastest way to get PR in the UK?
The fastest pathway to UK Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is through the Tier 1 Investor Visa’s accelerated settlement option, which grants eligibility after just two years for individuals who invest and sustain a minimum of £10 million in the UK.
