#1 Immigration Solicitors in UK
Are you dreaming of a forever home in the UK? Your future in the UK is within reach. Our UK Immigration Solicitors provide expert, end-to-end guidance to make your Permanent Residence application a success.
Get started today and secure your indefinite leave to remain with confidence. Call now at 020 3384 4389.
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#1 Immigration Solicitors in UK
Are you dreaming of a forever home in the UK? Your future in the UK is within reach. Our UK Immigration Solicitors provide expert, end-to-end guidance to make your Permanent Residence application a success.
Get started today and secure your indefinite leave to remain with confidence. Call us now at 020 3384 4389.
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Quick Facts
Key Facts About UK Permanent Residence
Cut through the confusion. Here are the insights every applicant needs to know about how to get PR in UK.
UK Permanent Residence offers various benefits: freedom to work, study, and travel; access to healthcare and social security; the right to bring family; and the ability for children to gain citizenship. After one year, you can apply for British citizenship.
Duration of UK Permanent Residence
For UK Permanent Residence, the typical residency period is five years, although some visas, like the Global Talent visa, allow application after three. Long-term residents may apply after ten years. Continuous lawful residency is required, with strict limits on time spent abroad.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for Permanent Residence (also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain), you must have lived in the UK for a continuous period, usually 5 years, on a qualifying visa. You'll also need to pass the "Life in the UK" test and, if applicable, prove your English language proficiency.
Documents Checklist
The checklist for UK Permanent Residence includes your passport, Biometric Residence Permit (if you have one), and evidence of continuous UK residency. You must also provide your Life in the UK test pass certificate and proof of English language proficiency. Additional documents may be required based on your visa route.
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a fee paid by most visa and immigration applicants for over six months to access the National Health Service (NHS). It is not required for British citizenship applications, as permanent residents contribute via taxes like National Insurance.
Applicants for UK Permanent Residence are not required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), as it applies only to temporary visas. Once granted PR, individuals gain access to the NHSÂ without paying the surcharge, provided they continue to live permanently in the UK and meet residency requirements.
When applying for a Spouse visa, you must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge to cover your healthcare costs while in the UK. Since February 2024, the surcharge has been £1,035 per year, following a 86% increase. For in-country application, it will be for 30 months and out-country application, it will be for 33 months.
Along with the application fee, you must also pay the mandatory biometric enrolment cost of £19.20. For faster processing, applicants may choose the priority service at an additional £500 (five working days), or the super priority service at an extra £1,000, which provides a decision within one working day.
British citizenship applications are typically processed within six months. However, some applications may take longer, especially if more information or checks are required by the Home Office.
The standard processing time for UK Permanent Residence is generally up to six months. For a faster decision, you can pay an additional fee for Priority Service, which typically provides a decision within five working days, or Super Priority Service for a decision by the end of the next working day.
This visa allows you to get married or register a civil partnership, but you cannot work, study, or live in the UK. You must use this visa solely to visit and get married.
The UK government’s white paper, “Restoring Control over the Immigration System,” proposes significant changes affecting permanent residence. The main effect is the proposal to extend the standard qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain from five to ten years for most points-based system migrants.
Expert Guidance
Secure your future with expert guidance for a smooth Permanent Residence application. Let our immigration experts handle the complexities while you focus on your next chapter.
- Expert navigation of complex immigration rules
- Personalized strategy for your unique case
- Higher success rates with properly prepared applications
- Stress reduction with professional handling of paperwork
Expert Guidance
Make the UK Your Forever Home
Secure your future with expert guidance for a smooth Permanent Residence application. Let our immigration experts handle the complexities while you focus on your next chapter.
Benefits
Achieve peace of mind by entrusting your permanent residence application to seasoned professionals. We provide full-service support, ensuring your case is legally sound and set for success.
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From Consultation to Visa Approval
Our immigration specialists streamline your application process by clearly identifying which evidence and strategies will strengthen your case.
By aligning your unique circumstances with Home Office requirements, we help you focus on high-impact preparations while addressing any potential weaknesses in your application.
Maximising Your Approval Chances
Our goal is to maximise the chances of your visa being approved the first time. By carefully reviewing your circumstances, identifying potential weaknesses, and preparing strong supporting evidence, we significantly reduce the risk of refusals. Every application is checked by senior immigration solicitors who apply their expertise to make your case as clear, accurate, and persuasive as possible. This attention to detail is what improves success rates and helps our clients move forward with confidence.
Success Rate Optimisation
We carefully analyse every detail of your application to maximise the chances of approval. By addressing weaknesses, strengthening supporting evidence, and ensuring full compliance with Home Office rules, we optimise your case for success. This thorough approach significantly improves approval rates and gives you confidence throughout the process.
Risk Mitigation Strategies
We identify potential risks in your application early and put safeguards in place to address them. By preparing strong evidence, clarifying complex points, and anticipating Home Office concerns, we minimise the chance of delays or refusals.
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Evidence-based case preparation
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Home Office compliance checks
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Success rate optimisation
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Risk mitigation strategies
From Consultation to Visa Approval
Our immigration specialists streamline your application process by clearly identifying which evidence and strategies will strengthen your case.
By aligning your unique circumstances with Home Office requirements, we help you focus on high-impact preparations while addressing any potential weaknesses in your application.
Maximising Your Approval Chances
Our goal is to maximise the chances of your visa being approved the first time. By carefully reviewing your circumstances, identifying potential weaknesses, and preparing strong supporting evidence, we significantly reduce the risk of refusals. Every application is checked by senior immigration solicitors who apply their expertise to make your case as clear, accurate, and persuasive as possible. This attention to detail is what improves success rates and helps our clients move forward with confidence.
Success Rate Optimisation
We carefully analyse every detail of your application to maximise the chances of approval. By addressing weaknesses, strengthening supporting evidence, and ensuring full compliance with Home Office rules, we optimise your case for success. This thorough approach significantly improves approval rates and gives you confidence throughout the process.
Risk Mitigation Strategies
We identify potential risks in your application early and put safeguards in place to address them. By preparing strong evidence, clarifying complex points, and anticipating Home Office concerns, we minimise the chance of delays or refusals.
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At UK Immigration Solicitors, we’re dedicated to protecting your rights and guiding you
carefully towards permanent residence with clear, trusted legal advice.
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Eligibility Criteria for UK Permanent Residence
If you meet certain UK PR requirements, you can apply to live in the UK permanently. Depending on your route, you may also need to show proof that you have lived officially in the UK for at least five years.
The table below shows how long you need to stay in the UK on each type of visa before you can apply for permanent residence:
Eligibility Routes | Years |
Partner (married or single) of a British citizen | 2 |
Long-lasting Stay legally | 10 |
Illegal stay (without the right papers) | 14 |
First and second tiers of work permits | 5 |
As an investor, business owner, athlete, or artist | 5 |
Ancestry | 5 |
You can apply for Permanent Residence UK if you are in one of the groups above and meet the other conditions.
Our team of immigration experts will help you figure out what you need to do to be eligible and give you advice on how to apply for permanent residence. You can call us at 02033844389 or email us. We’re here to help!
Essential Documents for a Permanent Residence (PR) Application
You need to submit the following documents:
Identification
- Valid passport or Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
- Copies of previous visas showing continuous lawful residence
- Any Home Office correspondence relating to visa approvals
Financial Records
- Payslips and bank statements (minimum 6 months)
- Tax records (P60s, P45s, or HMRC employment history)
- Evidence of savings (if applicable) – at least £16,000 held for 6 months
- Employer letter confirming current employment and salary (for work-based PR)
Proof of Residence & Relationships
- Council tax bills, utility bills, tenancy agreements, or mortgage statements
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate (for spouse visa holders)
- Evidence of cohabitation (e.g., joint bank statements, shared tenancy agreements)
- Birth certificates of dependent children (for family visa route)
Life in the UK Test
- Mandatory unless exempt
- Pass mark: minimum 75%
- The certificate must be uploaded or provided at the biometric appointment
Pre-Brexit EEA Permanent Residence Rules
Before the end of the Brexit transition, EEA and Swiss nationals (and their family members) could enter the UK with only a passport or ID card check. They were free from immigration control and could stay for up to three months.
After this period, they automatically gained the right to reside if they were working, studying, self-employed, self-sufficient, or actively seeking work.
Following five years of continuous residence, they could apply for a permanent UK residence card. Holding this card allowed EU nationals to apply for British citizenship after 12 months, or immediately if married to a British citizen (subject to eligibility).
Permanent residence could also be obtained if:
- They were a family or extended family member of a qualified EEA national, living in the UK for 5 years.
- They retained residence after divorce, annulment, dissolution, or the death/departure of the EEA national.
- Also, they were a family member of a British citizen returning under the Surinder Singh route.
- They were an EEA national who had retired, become permanently incapacitated, or worked abroad while keeping UK residence.
They were a family member of such an EEA national, including after their death.
Pre-Brexit Rules: UK Permanent Residence Card
Under the EEA Regulations, holding a permanent resident card UK was not compulsory. However, it was often used as supporting evidence when:
- Applying to the UK Home Office for British citizenship as proof of five years’ continuous residence and participation in qualifying activities.
- Sponsoring a partner’s visa application under the Immigration Rules.
- Demonstrating lawful status for extended family members of EEA or Swiss nationals.
- Confirming an individual’s right to work, which employers could rely on during Home Office checks.
The UK PR card, therefore, acted as a recognised document to confirm lawful residence and immigration status, particularly when seeking naturalisation or exercising family and employment rights.
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Pre-Brexit Rules: Absences & Continuous Residence Requirements
Although there were no hard and fast rules on absences for permanent residence, the applicant was still required to provide evidence of their usual residence in the UK. For applicants with “excessive absences” (defined as more than six months of non-resident status per year), this meant that UKVIÂ could dispute their status as “ordinarily resident” in the UK.
The Home Office UK does not recognise days spent commuting to or from the UK as absences, except for overnight trips.
With few exceptions, applicants were required to stay within the UK for at least 90 days in the twelve months preceding the application and no more than 180 days in any consecutive twelve months prior to that.
Pro Tip:
Start keeping a rolling absence tracker today. It helps you monitor every trip abroad, stay within the 180-day limit, and avoid last-minute surprises when applying for Permanent Residence UK.
Pre-Brexit Rules: Criminal Convictions
Applicants were required to satisfy the ‘Good Character’ test for their application to be approved. All incidents, however minor or historic, had to be disclosed in the application.
Comprehensive criminal and civil record checks were carried out on every applicant.
Any criminal offence was taken into account, regardless of:
- The seriousness of the offence.
- When it was committed.
- Whether it occurred in the UK or overseas.
Examples of offences treated as criminal convictions included:
- Drink driving.
- Driving while using a mobile phone.
- Driving disqualification.
Financial issues could also prevent an application, such as:
Bankruptcy
Failure to pay council tax.
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Pre-Brexit Rules: Life in the UK & English Language Tests
Candidates for permanent residency were not required to demonstrate proficiency in English or to have completed the Life in the UK test.
Unless an exception was made, EU persons seeking British citizenship with PR were required to provide proof of having passed an English proficiency exam at B1 CEFRÂ level or above, or an equivalent qualification, such as a degree taught in English.
If the goal was to apply for citizenship after permanent residence was granted, it was feasible to take the test along with the ILR application.
How to Get UK Permanent Residency as a Non-EU Citizen?
You may submit an application for PR for UK through one of the routes listed above if you are not a native EU citizen. It is important to make sure that you satisfy UK PR eligibility standards and have every piece of proof you need before you apply.
The SET (M) Form and the SET (O) Form are the two forms you can use to apply. You need to make sure you choose the right entry form because it depends on your situation. Once you’ve filled out the application form, make sure you have all the necessary papers and pay the fee as instructed. Send in your application along with all the necessary proof, and then wait for a decision.
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Form Set (M)
The form Set (M)Â is for those who have stayed in the UK under any of the immigration groups listed. As part of the application process, you will need to send proof that you have permission to stay in the UK. Some of these are:
- Proof of income, like payslips.
- A job offer letter on company paper, signed and stamped by the employer.
- Any rental or lease agreements (Proof of address).
- Bank records.
- Tax letters from the council.
- The proof used to figure out an applicant’s alternate sources of income, if any, is made public.
- If you own a business, you’ll need to show proof of your registered business location, licences, and permits.
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Form Set (O)
If your partner is a UK citizen or your child lives in the UK, you need to fill out form Set (O). Again, proof of the relationship and living in the UK must be shown through papers.
We suggest that you hire an experienced immigration solicitor to help you with the paperwork and the application process. This will make the process go more smoothly. Also, don’t forget that you can contact us directly if you need help or information about getting permanent residence in the UK.
Do you know?
ILR forms can be extremely long and detail-heavy. The SET O form alone runs to over 70 pages and 13 sections, covering personal history, absences, finances, English tests, Life in the UK, and more.
How to Register your non-EU Family Members in the UK?
Non-EU family members residing with you in the UK may be eligible for registration. While the process follows a similar structure to that of a permanent residence application, certain additional requirements must be satisfied.
Each family member is required to submit an individual application. For applicants under the age of 18, the application must be completed on their behalf by a parent or legal guardian.
If you currently hold a Tier 1 or Tier 2 visa, your dependants (spouse, civil partner, or child) may be permitted to join or remain with you in the UK, provided you meet the Home Office sponsorship requirements for dependants.
Eligibility for Settlement in the UK
Eligibility for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) depends on your visa type and circumstances. In general, applicants must have lived in the UK continuously for the required period and complied with immigration laws during their stay.
Settlement Routes
- 2-year route
- 5-year route
- 10-year route
If you are applying under any of the settlement routes, you must first meet the residence requirement for that visa. For example, holders of a Tier 2 (General) visa must have lived in the UK lawfully for five years before becoming eligible.
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Eligibility Requirements
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Marriage/Partnership
- You must hold a valid partner or marriage visa.
- Applications may be made if you are married to, in a civil partnership with, or have lived with a British partner for at least two years.
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Cohabitation
- You must show evidence of living together in a genuine and ongoing relationship.
- Acceptable proof includes joint tenancy agreements, joint bank statements, or other official documents.
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Life in the UK Test
- Mandatory for most applicants.
- A multiple-choice test on British history, culture, and society designed to confirm basic knowledge of life in the UK.
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English Language Requirement
- Non-native English speakers must provide proof of proficiency.
- Evidence can include an approved English language test or a recognised qualification from a UK institution.
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Financial Requirement
- Current minimum income threshold: £29,000 (if there are no dependent children).
- The income of British or EEA children cannot be counted.
- Household income can be combined between both partners.
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Exceptions:
- 2-year route: no minimum income requirement, but applicants must show they can support themselves without public funds.
- 10-year route: no set threshold, but evidence of financial stability is required.
How Family Members Can Apply for Settlement in the UK?
If your partner lives in the UK on a Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 5 visa, you may also be eligible for settlement. To qualify, you must be married, in a civil partnership, or have lived together for at least two years.
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Partner Eligibility
- You must hold a valid dependent visa.
- Your relationship must be genuine and ongoing.
- No access to public funds.
- Must meet the English language requirement.
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Application Process
You can apply online, with most decisions made within six months. A priority service is available, allowing you to attend an in-person appointment and receive a same-day decision.
Once approved, you’ll be granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), giving you the right to live permanently in the UK.
What are the Restrictions On Permanent Residence UK?
There are numerous positive aspects of permanent residence, but there are also a few negative aspects to think about.
- Beyond two years, you can’t stay outside of the UK.
- You might not be able to use your pre-settled statusafter that time.
- You should also know that your PR status can be taken away if you are found guilty of a crime or if you can’t prove that you can afford to keep it.
Finally, it’s important to keep in mind that living in the UK permanently does not mean you automatically become a British citizen. You might have to fill out another form and pass the Life in the UK test in order to become a British citizen.
Apply as a Permanent Resident UK for British citizenship
You can apply for British citizenship after living in the UK for five years and having a fixed address for one year. As long as your partner is a British citizen, though, you can apply for citizenship after three years of living in the UK permanently.
In both cases, you must meet the standards for English language skills and life knowledge before you can apply. You must also not be limited by visa time limits and have been a Permanent Resident for at least one year. This means that your ILR status is valid.
How to Get a Permanent Residence through a Work Visa?
If you have a work visa, like a Skilled Worker visa, you can come to the UK to work for a UK company. After 5 years of having a work visa, you will usually get PR. The Skilled Worker visa is one of the easiest ways for people from outside the EU to live in the UK permanently right now.
People can live and work in the UK with a number of different work visas, such as.
- Skilled Worker visa
- Healthcare worker visa
- Scale up visa
- Global Talent visa
It’s important to know that some work visas don’t let people stay in the UK forever. Like the Senior or Specialist Worker visa under the Global Business Mobility route (which used to be called the Tier 2 ICT visa) and the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa.
If you have an HPI visa or another type of visa that doesn’t let you apply for permanent residency in the UK, you might be able to change it to one that does. Some students can work in the UK even if they don’t have a job offer with the HPI visa, which makes it better than other work visas.
You can live in the UK permanently with a work visa if you:
- Possess a valid work visa and have lived in the UK for at least five years.
- Keep getting paid by the company in the UK.
- Continue working at a job that qualifies.
- Get paid at least the minimum wage.
- Pass the test on Life in the UK.
- Meet the English language standards.
If you want to start a creative firm in the UK, you can apply for a business visa like the Innovator visa. Under the present immigration rules, it is one of the easiest ways to get a PR in the UK for non-EU citizens.
The Innovator Founder visa can lead to Permanent Residence in as little as three years. In contrast, the Start-up visa does not provide a direct route to settlement. If you currently hold a Start-up visa and wish to secure Permanent Residence, you must switch to the Innovator Founder visa.
For Permanent residence as a holder of an Innovator visa, you must:
- Have resided in the UK on an Innovator visa for continuously three years.
- Get a new company to back up your business.
- Do well on the Life in the UK test.
- Meet the requirements for English language skills.
Cost & Processing Time for UK PR Process
Service Type | Fee | Processing Time |
Standard Application | £2,389 | Up to 6 months |
Priority Service | +£500 | Within 5 business days |
Super Priority Service | +£800 | Next business day decision |
FAQ
UK Permanent Residence FAQs
There are several ways to live in the UK permanently, such as with a work visa, a family visa, or a business visa. You can also get PR in other ways, such as by living in the country for 10 years, leaving your job, or serving in the military.
Being able to live in the UK permanently isn’t always easy, even though the process isn’t hard. That’s why you should talk to a licenced immigration solicitor who can help you with your application and know how the process works.
You may be eligible for permanent residency in the UK if you have lived there for a particular amount of time and meet certain criteria.
Yes. Your UK permanent residence (Indefinite Leave to Remain or ILR) can lapse if you remain outside the country for more than two continuous years.
No. Permanent residence gives you the right to live and work in the UK without restriction. However, it does not provide the full rights of citizenship, such as the ability to vote in all elections or apply for a British passport.
FAQs
There are several ways to live in the UK permanently, such as with a work visa, a family visa, or a business visa. You can also get PR in other ways, such as by living in the country for 10 years, leaving your job, or serving in the military.
Being able to live in the UK permanently isn’t always easy, even though the process isn’t hard. That’s why you should talk to a licenced immigration solicitor who can help you with your application and know how the process works.
You may be eligible for permanent residency in the UK if you have lived there for a particular amount of time and meet certain criteria.
Yes. Your UK permanent residence (Indefinite Leave to Remain or ILR) can lapse if you remain outside the country for more than two continuous years.
No. Permanent residence gives you the right to live and work in the UK without restriction. However, it does not provide the full rights of citizenship, such as the ability to vote in all elections or apply for a British passport.
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