Shabana Bukhari 
In this blog readers will gain an insight into a step-by-step guide to applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain ILR Application in Reading. Understand the eligibility criteria, required documents, and processing times.
What is Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR Application in Reading)?
Indefinite Leave to Remain, also known as ILR or UK settlement provides successful applicants with the right to live, work and study in the UK. Additionally, ILR is also used as part of applications for British citizenship.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for Indefinite Leave to Remain differs significantly and hence there exists several methods for applying which each have their own criteria:
- Applicants for ILR who are currently working in the UK must have done so for a minimum of five years. However, this length of time can be reduced depending on whether you are currently on a Tier 1, Innovator Founder or Global Talent visa.
- Applicants for ILR through the family route must either have a child, partner, or parent who are already settled in the UK.
- Applicants for ILR who have been living in the UK for ten years are eligible for what is termed the ‘long residence’ route.
- Applicants for ILR who are Commonwealth citizens must be living in the UK for five years on an Ancestry visa.
For additional information on the differing eligibility criteria depending on which route laid out above you take follow the link to the UK Government’s official website: Check if you can get indefinite leave to remain – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Required Documents
The required documents for an Indefinite Leave to Remain application are as follows:
- Passport or other document containing your nationality.
- Biometric residence permit if one is already in your possession.
- English language requirement certificate.
- Travel documentation dealing any periods of absence from the UK. This is because for a successful ILR application persons must not be absent from the UK for more than 180 days in a period of twelve months.
- Life in the UK test proof from either the letter containing your ‘test reference ID’ or your ‘unique reference number’. It should be noted that this test does not need to be taken from applicants who are older than 65 years of age.
- Financial evidence.
- If you are an applicant with family who are settled in the UK, for instance you wish to take the partner route for an IRL application outlined above then evidence showing that you reside with your partner must be produced.
Finally, it must be noted that all the documents above must be translated into English if not already done so.
Processing Times
The UK Home Office estimates that the processing time for Indefinite Leave to Remain applications will be around six months.
However, there remains the option for fast tracking applications called the ‘priority service’ whereby your application for Indefinite Leave to Remain will take around five working days and it will cost an additional £500. For more information about this service follow this link: Get a faster decision on your visa or settlement application: Applying for a faster decision – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
FAQs about ILR Application in Reading
What is Indefinite Leave to Remain?
Indefinite Leave to Remain, also known as ILR or UK settlement provides successful applicants with the right to live, work and study in the UK.
What are the different routes to applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain?
The different routes to applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK include those currently working in the UK for a minimum of five years; those who have either a child, partner, or parent who are already settled in the UK; those who have been living in the UK for ten years; or those who are Commonwealth citizens.
If I have not yet worked in the UK for five years, could I still be eligible to make an Indefinite Leave to Remain application?
Yes, if you have not yet worked in the UK for five years, there is a possibility that you could still be eligible to make an Indefinite Leave to Remain application. This hinges on whether you are currently on a Tier 1, Innovator Founder or Global Talent visa as then you may only need to have been working in the UK for three years.
Do I need evidence that I currently reside with my UK settled partner for a successful application for Indefinite Leave to Remain?
Yes, for a successful application for Indefinite Leave to Remain you must provide evidence proving that you live with your UK settled partner if this is the family route you wish to take.
Should my processing documents for an Indefinite Leave to Remain application be in English?
Yes, the documents necessary for an Indefinite Leave to Remain application must be translated into English if not already done so.
What is the average processing time for an Indefinite Leave to Remain application?
The UK Home Office estimates that the processing time for Indefinite Leave to Remain applications will take around six months.
Am I able to get faster processing times than the standard six months?
Yes, it is possible to get faster processing times than the standard six months if you opt for the priority service which means the processing time is five working days.
How much does the priority service cost?
The priority service costs £500.
Summary about ILR Application in Reading
In this blog readers have gained an insight into a step-by-step guide to applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in Reading. The eligibility criteria, required documents, and processing times have all been discussed respectively.
Please contact our expert team at Henleaze Law which have a wealth of experience on Indefinite Leave to Remain applications on 0117 908 4625 or via email.
