The easiest way to get permanent residency in the UK is by understanding the pathways available and selecting the one that best suits your situation. Its booming economy, excellent healthcare, and superb education system make the UK one of the most sought-after destinations for people looking for stability and opportunities. There are specific routes available for skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, or family members of a UK resident to help you succeed. If you are eligible, stay abreast of visa requirements, plan wisely, and watch your permanent residency dream come true. Learn how to simplify the process and take the first step into a new chapter of life in one of the world's most amazing countries.
What is Permanent Residency in the UK?
UK permanent residence, often referred to as Indefinite Leave to Remain, is an immigration status accorded to an individual who does not possess the Right of Abode, also known as the UK green card or permanent residence card. Permanent residents are allowed to live and work in the UK for as long as they like. There will no longer be any immigration restrictions on your ability to work or conduct business in the UK, nor will there be any time limits on your stay. With your permanent residence card, you will be able to remain in the nation indefinitely. However, if a person is convicted of a crime or spends more than two years abroad continuously, their right may expire.
Who is Eligible?
You can apply for UK permanent residency after legally residing there for a specified number of years. You must have spent at least five years living and working in the United Kingdom. If you hold a Tier 1 Visa, the time frame can be lowered to two or three years. If you hold an Innovator or Global Talent visa, you can seek permanent residency after three years. Depending on your visa type, you may also be required to meet certain salary or financial requirements. The list below demonstrates how long you need to be in the UK on different visas in order to be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR):
- Family member or relations by marriage: five years
- Work visas: five years
- Global talent visa: three to five years
- Ancestry visa: five years
- Long stay: ten years
If you fall into one of these categories and have been in the UK for the specified amount of time, you might be qualified to apply for British residency and receive a permanent UK resident permit.
Ways of Obtaining Permanent Residency in the UK
Here are the different ways you can get UK permanent residency:
Through a Family Member or UK Citizen
This is the easiest way to get permanent residency in the UK. If you are related to someone who is a permanent resident of the United Kingdom, you may be eligible for permanent residence in the country. Children, spouses or partners, and dependent family members in need of care are all considered qualifying family members. A settled individual is a British citizen or someone who has arrived in the UK and acquired a permanent residence here. The following are a few of the most common family visa categories that can result in permanent residence in the UK:
- Spouse visa
- Child visa
- Adult dependent relative visa
If you are a family member of a British citizen or settled person and want to apply for a permanent residence permit in the UK, you must:
- Have a primary family member who has permanent residency (if applying as a dependent child or adult dependent) or has resided in the UK for two or five years (if applying as a spouse of a valid visa holder).
- Fulfill the conditions of the relationship (e.g., parties must still be living with their spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner).
- Fulfill the financial requirements, which vary depending on the application process (for example, you and your spouse must earn at least £29,000 together to be eligible for the 5-year spouse visa route).
- Complete the Life in the UK test.
- Meet the English language requirements.
Through Business
While there are various paths to staying long-term in the UK, investing in a business or entrepreneurial venture can be the easiest way to get permanent residency in the UK. If a foreign national wants to start an innovative firm in the UK, they might be eligible for a business visa here, like the innovator visa. One of the simplest methods for non-EU nationals to obtain permanent residence status in the UK under the present immigration regulations is through the innovator visa. PR can be obtained after just three years with the Innovator Founder visa. Not all business visas, including the start-up visa, offer a clear path to permanent residence. You must transform to an innovator visa in order to obtain PR as a start-up visa holder. As a holder of an innovator visa, you are eligible for PR if you:
- Have spent three years living in the UK on your innovator visa.
- Have a fresh endorsement for your company.
- Successfully completed the Life in the UK exam and fulfilled the standards for proficiency in English.
Through Work Visa
For many individuals, securing a job offer in a highly skilled field is often considered the easiest way to get permanent residency in the UK. A work visa, like a Skilled Worker visa, allows you to work for a UK company. In most situations, you will be granted PR after holding your work visa for five years. The Skilled Worker visa is now one of the simplest routes to permanent residency in the UK for non-EU nationals. The following are some of the UK work visas that are eligible for UK residency:
- Scale-up visa
- Global talent visa
- Skilled worker visa
- Health and care worker visa
It is crucial to remember that not all types of visas are eligible for UK permanent residency. The High Potential Individual (HPI) visa and the Senior or Specialist Worker visa (formerly known as the Tier 2 ICT visa) are two examples. Even if visas like the HPI visa don't offer a direct path to permanent residence in the UK, you can change to a different kind of visa that does. Other benefits of the HPI visa over other work visas include giving students who fulfill the requirements a chance to work in the UK without a job offer.
UK Permanent Residency for EU Nationals
EU citizens who want to become permanent residents of the UK after Brexit must apply through the EU settlement process. EU citizens who traveled to the UK before January 31, 2021, may be eligible for either settled or pre-settled status. Pre-settled status indicates that you are still pursuing permanent residence and have not yet lived here for five years. You are considered settled if you have obtained permanent residence after years of continuous residence. One of the above-mentioned visa pathways can still provide you permanent residence if you are an EU national who entered the UK after January 31, 2021.
How to Apply for UK Permanent Residency
You can apply online for permanent residency in the United Kingdom. In most situations, you can file your application up to 28 days before the residency requirement deadline. Although your application route will determine the specific steps involved, you will often need to supply the following:
- Valid passport
- Your UK residence permit (Biometric Residence Permit)
- Proof that you meet any English language requirements
- Proof of funds
- Proof of relationship
- Life in the UK Test results
- Proof of clean criminal record
- Evidence proving you meet the requirements for the application method, such as a marriage certificate attesting to your relationship or bank statements demonstrating your minimal salary.
Generally speaking, a decision will be made within six months. In addition, you might be able to use the super priority service, which costs £1000, to get a judgment in one working day, or the priority service, which costs £500, to get a decision in five working days.
Processing Time and Application Fees
Applications for permanent residency filed in the UK may take up to six months to process. Although some applications could go beyond the deadlines, the majority are decided in less than six months. Every applicant must pay a fee of £2,404. Additionally, there is no cost associated with having each applicant's biometric data (picture and fingerprints) collected.
Loss of Indefinite Leave to Remain
You can lose the Indefinite Leave To Remain status for a variety of reasons. For instance, if you are allowed to return to the UK after leaving, but not for an unlimited amount of time. This can happen if you mistakenly try to enter as a visitor or if the immigration officer thinks you don't plan to live in the UK.
Additionally, if you commit a crime that could result in your deportation from the UK or for national security grounds, your indefinite leave to remain may be terminated. If you leave the UK for longer than two years, you may also lose your ILR status. However, you may reapply in some cases. Please keep in mind that British Overseas Citizens, British Subjects, and British Protected Persons retain their Indefinite Leave-to-remain status regardless of how long they reside outside the United Kingdom.
Difference Between Permanent Residency and Citizenship
Permanent residency and citizenship in the UK share many similarities. These include:
- The freedom to work, learn, or launch a business in the United Kingdom
- Social Security access in the United Kingdom
- Complete accessibility to NHS public health care
- The freedom to leave and come back to the UK whenever you'd like
- The right to purchase real estate or obtain a mortgage in the United Kingdom
However, there are major differences between rights and requirements. For example, UK citizens have the following benefits that are not available to permanent residents:
- UK Passport
- Complete voting rights in local and national elections
- The freedom to run for any post in government
- The freedom to move abroad (or country of origin) for as long as they choose, while permanent residents can only leave the UK for two years before their residency rights are affected.
- Additional rights to British citizenship for children born outside of the United Kingdom
Conclusion
The easiest way to get permanent residency in the UK is through strategic planning and choosing the right visa route. By meeting eligibility criteria, seeking professional guidance, and navigating the application process efficiently, individuals can increase their chances of securing permanent residency.
