Indefinite leave to remain is how you settle in the UK. It’s also called ‘settlement’. It gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible. You can use it to apply for British citizenship.

EU Citizen

If you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you and your family might be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK. You might also be able to apply if you’re the family member of an eligible person of Northern Ireland. The deadline for most people to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme was 30 June 2021. This deadline does not apply if you already have pre-settled status and you’re applying for settled status. -If you already have pre-settled status You can usually apply for settled status once you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years in a row. It’s free to apply. You’ll need to make a new application to the scheme to switch from pre-settled status to settled status. If you do not do this, the Home Office will extend your pre-settled status by 2 years just before it’s due to expire.

 

Global Talent

This visa for Global Talent visa holders who intend to remain in the UK in the long term can apply for settlement.

 

Innovator Founder

You may be eligible for indefinite leave to remain if you have an Innovator Founder visa. You must have lived in the UK for 3 years using an Innovator Founder or Innovator visa – you cannot include time spent in the UK using any other visa and have a new endorsement that shows you’ve met the requirements for growing your business.

 

Long Residence

You may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain if you’ve been in the UK legally for 10 continuous years (known as ‘long residence’).

 

Skilled Worker

You may be able to settle permanently in the UK if you skilled worker visa. You must have lived and worked in the UK for 5 years – there are rules for what counts towards your time in the UK, meet the salary requirements and continue to be needed for your job and meet the salary requirements after you get indefinite leave to remain – you’ll need a document from your employer (sponsor) to confirm this.

 

Spouse or Partner

You may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain if both:

  • You have a family visa as a partner or spouse
  • Your partner is settled in the UK – either as a British citizen or a person with indefinite leave to remain

There’s a different way to stay in the UK if:

  • You’re a dependant on your partner’s work visa
  • Your partner has settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
  • Your partner has died
  • Your relationship ended because of domestic violence

 

Turkish Businessperson or Worker

You can apply for indefinite leave to remain if you’re in the UK on a:

  • Turkish Worker visa
  • Turkish Businessperson visa

Indefinite leave to remain is how you settle in the UK. It’s also called ‘settlement’. It gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible. You can use it to apply for British citizenship.

Your family members (‘dependants’) can also apply for indefinite leave to remain, if they’re eligible.

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