Search
Close this search box.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

Oracle Solicitors are experts in immigration law and have the experience and expertise to assist you with your application for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

Immigration law is constantly changing, therefore, we strongly recommend you contact us today for expert legal advice if you have any questions whatsoever about your visa or status.

What is Indefinite Leave to Remain?

If you are already in the UK you can make various applications to apply for leave to remain here, either on a temporary or permanent basis.

Settlement

If you are a foreign national who is subject to immigration control but have lawfully lived in the UK for a certain length of time, you may be able to apply for permission to settle here permanently. This is known as Settlement or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

Given that a successful application grants you permanent residency in the UK, there are strict criteria set out in the Immigration Rules that you must satisfy.

Your right to apply for settlement depends on your current immigration category and whether you continue to meet the criteria for that category.

How To Qualify For Indefinite Leave To Remain

You can qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain through various routes, most commonly where you are in the UK with permission as a partnerfamily membercertain workerscontinuous and long-term lawful residence and those with ancestry ties.

The dependent child of a British citizen or a person who is settled in the UK may be given immediate permission to remain indefinitely, and refugees who are resettled in the UK automatically be granted immediate permission.

For more information about Partner Visas click the following link: Partner Visa.

Make An Application

To make an application you must already be in the UK and in many cases need to demonstrate a knowledge of language and life. Certain applicants are exempt from this requirement including children (under 18), parents, grandparents and other dependent relatives of people present and settled in the UK, or those residing in the UK as a refugee.

You can demonstrate your knowledge of language and life by passing the Life in the UK test and either by having a recognised qualification in English, a degree that was taught or researched in English or being a national of an English-speaking country.

As part of your application for ILR, you need to enrol your fingerprints and facial image (known as biometric information) and obtain a biometric residence permit. This confirms your immigration status and entitlements.

Further Leave to Remain

If you do not yet qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain you may be able to extend your existing visa temporarily. This is known as Further Leave to Remain.

If you came here as a visitor, in most cases you cannot extend your permission to stay beyond six months although in limited circumstances you may be able to switch to a different immigration category. You must also apply to extend your stay before your existing permission expires as an overstayer risks an order for enforced removal.

Returning Residents

Your settled status may be lost if you have lived abroad for a continuous period of two years or more.

If you are looking to make an application for Indefinite Leave to Remain, it is important to seek legal advice to understand the migration options open to you to ensure your case is effectively represented to the authorities and to avoid any delays with your application.

Ronald Sempebwa is a highly experienced lawyer with over 18 years’ experience, his career has seen him work for both in the public sector representing...

Book a call back

Fill out our form and one of our experts will get back to you.
Landing Page - Get In Touch - Callback

Our Fees

Our charges will be based on the time actually spent by the solicitors and other staff in respect of any work which they do on your behalf.

Our current hourly rates are set out below:

The work we carry out on your immigration case can take several hours, therefore we understand some clients prefer fixed fee costs.  We will provide you with a fixed fee of £ 250 + VAT at the initial consultation (if you prefer this option).

If you wish to proceed with hourly rate fees you can expect on average to pay the following dependant on the fee-earners hourly rate.

Visit our immigration fees page for more info.

How long does a visa application take?

We will normally be able to submit your application within 4 – 8 weeks of you instructing us, but we will let you know at the earliest opportunity if it is likely to take longer than this.

We cannot guarantee how long the Home Office will take to process your application.  Read the current processing times.

For an informal discussion regarding your case, or to book an appointment with our Immigration team, please call us now on 020 3051 5060.