Settling in the UK opens the doors to numerous opportunities. It allows you to participate in the labour market, pursue further studies, and access essential benefits like the country's free healthcare system. This means you can work, study, and live in the UK with the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have the support and advantages available to integrate fully into British society.
Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK
Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK allows you to live, work (including self-employment), study, and access the healthcare system, along with potential benefits like the UK State Pension. To be eligible for ILR, you must have resided continuously in the UK for at least five years (or, in exceptional cases, three years) with only short-term absences. Acquiring the ILR is the initial stage of applying for British citizenship. The way to reach indefinite leave to remain is via one of the immigration visas (e.g., Skilled Worker visa). Depending on the visa you were on, you may also need to meet salary or financial requirements. You can apply for British citizenship after one year of obtaining indefinite leave to remain.
Good to know:
Part of your application for indefinite leave to remain will be an English language and Life in the UK 45-minute test.
Important:
If you have a child in the UK while you are settled, the child will become a British citizen at birth.
Useful links:
If you are settled in the UK, you will receive a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), which will state the following information: your immigration status (e.g., indefinite leave to remain or enter, no time limit), name, date and place of birth, your fingerprints, and a passport-sized photo. Usually, there's a print of your National Insurance (NI) number at the back of the permit.
Attention:
If your BRP is stolen or lost, you must report the theft or loss to the police and the Home Office for it to be cancelled. If you are abroad, you will be issued a short-term single-entry visa to return to the UK.
Useful links:
Update, replace, or transfer your BRP
EU Settlement Scheme in the UK
If you are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, you and your family must have already been able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK under Brexit.
Attention:
If you did not apply to the EU Settlement Scheme, you must arrive in the UK with a visa.
Good to know:
Your application to the EU Settlement Scheme would have led to pre-settled or settled status (if you lived in the UK for five straight years). The settled status allows you to stay in the UK for as long as you like and apply for British citizenship after one year. Also, if you have children, they will automatically become British citizens at birth.
With a settled or pre-settled status, you can work in the UK, access the NHS, study in the UK, be eligible for a pension, and travel freely in and out of the country.
Important:
Your rights in the UK are not protected unless you have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme and received a certificate of application.
Attention:
If you have settled status, you can live outside the UK for up to five years. Anything more than that will most likely lead to losing your settled status. If you have pre-settled status, the maximum time you can spend outside the UK is two years in a row, but you will be disqualified from the application for settled status.
Useful links:
Can I apply to settle in the UK?
UK residence card
The UK residence card, previously referred to as the EEA biometric residence card, has been discontinued, and new applications for this card are no longer being processed. It is important to note that the UK residence card is no longer considered valid proof of the right to reside in the UK. To establish your right to live in the UK, you must now obtain settled or pre-settled status through the EU Settlement Scheme.
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
