​​​Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is an immigration status given to people who do not have the right of abode in the United Kingdom (UK) but have been allowed to stay in the UK without any time limit. Holders of ILR can work, run a business, be self-employed, or study. If indefinite leave is granted to someone outside the UK, it is called Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE).

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Indefinte Leave to Remain is similar to Permanent Residency (PR) in other countries, but Permanent Residency had a different meaning under EU law while the UK was part of the EU. Indefinite Leave to Remain is based on UK law, whereas PR was automatically granted under EU rules before Brexit, provided certain conditions were met.​​

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Individuals with ILR, the right of abode, or Irish citizenship are considered to have settled status if they live in the UK. All full British citizens have the right of abode. Those with ILR can access public funds and welfare services in the UK.

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Settled status is important for British nationality law. Most applicants for British citizenship need to have settled status in the UK. This status also matters for children born in the UK to non-British parents. If neither parent has settled status, the child will not automatically become a British citizen.​

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People living in the UK under the Work or Family routes can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after meeting the required period of legal residency. ILR can be lost if the holder stays outside the UK for more than two years. However, it stays valid indefinitely if the holder lives in the UK with limited absences.​

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To apply for an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Visa, applicants must adhere to the strict guidelines and minimum requirements established by the UK Immigration Directorate. Our team of experienced UK Immigration advisers, with over 10 years of combined expertise, is dedicated to assisting clients in the preparation and submission of their ILR applications.​

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Holders of Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) can apply for British citizenship if they have held their ILR status for at least twelve months, are over 18 years old, and have been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom for the past five years.

 

Certain ILR holders may also be eligible to apply for British citizenship under the registration clauses if they meet specific criteria, such as being born in the UK or possessing another form of British nationality. The registration process typically costs less than naturalisation, and applicants are not required to demonstrate knowledge of the English language or pass a knowledge test.

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Furthermore, dependent children of British citizens or settled individuals may be granted immediate permission to remain indefinitely. Refugees resettled in the UK through the Gateway Protection Programme are also afforded immediate ILR status.

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