Supporting you build a future in the UK
Indefinite Leave to Remain grants non-British citizens the right to live and work in the UK permanently, without restrictions. It is available to people who have lived in the UK for five or more years on a valid, alternative visa, such as a work or family visa. Our experienced immigration law lawyers will take care of this complex process for you, giving you clear guidance, and ensuring that your application is as robust as possible to give you every chance of success.
Commercial
Personal
- Administration of Estates
- Adoption
- Appeals before the First Tier and Upper Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber)
- Applications to join British or settled residents
- Applying for British citizenship
- Applying for Probate
- Buy to let
- Buying a home
- Changing Your Name
- Civil Partnerships
- cohabitation agreements
- Contentious probate
- Conveyancing
- Court of Protection
- Disputes involving children
- Divorce
- Domestic abuse
- Employment law
- Equity release
- Family Law
- Financial Remedy Proceedings
- Financial settlements
- First registration
- Human Rights applications
- Immigration law
- Indefinite Leave to Remain
- Inheritance Disputes
- Inheritance tax planning
- Landlord and tenant
- Lease extensions
- Litigation and dispute resolution
- Managing a trust
- Military Hearing Loss
- Powers of Attorney
- Prenuptial agreements
- Remortgaging
- Selling your home
- Seperation agreements
- Setting up a Trust
- Transfer of Equity
- Unmarried Couples
- Visitor visas to the UK
- Wills, trust and probate
- Work visas and sponsorship
- Writing a Will
Commercial
- Can you explain the new inheritance tax laws to me?
- What is commercial litigation?
- What do I do about tenants sub-letting?
- How many specialities does your team have?
- How long have you been practising in this field?
- What are the laws on paternity leave?
- Can you help me decide on insolvency for my company?
- Will my trademark stand in EMEA?
- How long does a merger take?
- How do I protect myself from negligence?
- I have a question on property litigation
Personal
- What time should I allow for conveyancing?
- How are assets split in a divorce?
- I think I was unfairly dismissed - can you help?
- What are your main Family Law services?
- Immigration laws have changed - help!
- My landlord has just sold the property - what are my rights?
- I've been served an eviction notice - please help!
- My neighbour is claiming my land - who is right?
- I have tinitus from army service - can I get compensation?
- Can you adivise on probate?
Here to help you
The Indefinite Leave to Remain application process is complex and requires meticulous attention to detail. We understand that this can be daunting and we are here to help every step of the way. You will be allocated one of our experienced immigration law lawyers from the beginning to the end of the process, providing you with clarity and reassurance, maximising your application’s chance of success
The process is thorough and every requirement must be met for Indefinite Leave to Remain to be granted. The application process includes proving your eligibility depending on what visa you currently have to live in the UK; collection of documentary evidence including residential proof; fulfilling financial requirements; completing the Life in the UK test; completing the form, and attending a biometrics appointment.
Why choose
CWC Solicitors?
Our priority is to ensure your application fulfils all the requirements and is as robust as possible to maximise your chance of success in being granted Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK. We are highly experienced in the complexities of immigration law, also in compassion. Our approach isn’t just meticulous but personalised to your particular situation. We know immigration matters can be sensitive and emotionally charged. Through clarity and empathy, we will ensure you feel supported, informed and confident throughout the process.
Frequently asked questions
Still unsure or need something explained properly? Contact us, and we’ll guide you through it.
1. What is Indefinite Leave to Remain?
Indefinite Leave to Remain grants non-British citizens the right to live and work in the UK permanently, without restrictions. It’s available to people who have lived in the UK for five or more years on a valid visa, such as a work or family visa. It is also available for people on a three-year Global Talent or Innovator Founder visa. It is a key step to becoming a British citizen.
2. Is Indefinite Leave to Remain the same as British citizenship?
No, Indefinite Leave to Remain gives a non-British citizen the legal right to live and work in the UK indefinitely, but lacks some of the rights of British citizens. British citizenship grants full rights – the same as those of people born in Britain – including a British passport and voting in elections. A person with Indefinite Leave to Remain, remains a foreign national and can have their Indefinite Leave to Remain status removed if they live abroad for two years, while citizenship is permanent.
3. What is the process for EU citizens?
Post Brexit, after December 31 2020, EU citizens must follow the same standard Indefinite Leave to Remain process as non-EU nationals.
4. When should I apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain?
The earliest you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain is 28 days before your current visa runs out. Applying earlier may result in a refusal. You must apply while your current five-year visa is valid; do not wait for it to run out. As long as you applied for Indefinite Leave to Remain while your current visa was active, the conditions of that visa will remain until the decision is made.
5. What evidence do I need to provide to prove my eligibility?
Applicants for Indefinite Leave to Remain need to submit a range of documentary evidence including, proof of identity, proof of lawful residency, proof of continuous residency, proof of English language proficiency, proof of finances, and a Life in the UK Test pass certificate.
6. Do I have to take an English language test?
Yes, applicants from countries where English is not the first language will need to prove their knowledge of English by passing a Secure English Language Test at Level B1. In addition, applicants of all countries must pass the separate Life in the UK Test.
7. How long does the process typically take?
The process can take up to six months if all the requirements of the application are satisfied.
8. What are the benefits of employing a solicitor to handle my application?
Visa applications can be complicated and have many requirements, including the submission of documentary evidence which must be accurately fulfilled, in order to be successful. Support from one of our experienced immigration law solicitors will ensure all the requirements are met and will therefore maximise your chances of success. Using a solicitor for complex cases is recommended.
9. What are the key considerations when making an application?
The instructions for the application must be meticulously followed; the application must be filled in accurately and be factually correct; all requested evidence must be supplied and financial requirements met.
Related services
Applying for British citizenship
You can apply for British Citizenship if you have Indefinite Leave to Remain and have lived in the UK for five or more years, or three years if you are married to a British Citizen. We will ensure that your application is as robust as possible to give you every chance of success.
Applications to join British or settled residents
There are different routes for non-British citizens to settle in the UK. One way is if you have immediate family already settled here. Our experienced immigration law lawyers will take care of this complex process for you with clarity and compassion.
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