Indefinite leave to remain is an aspiration of many migrants providing many benefits. However, achieving it can take a long time. Exact lengths depend on your visa and checking with a UK immigration lawyer can confirm your quickest route. Read this article to get clear on exactly what indefinite leave to remain is and what are the benefits of ILR for you/your family.
What Is Indefinite Leave To Remain?
Indefinite leave to remain or ILR is a legal status allowing you to live, work and study in the UK permanently. The UK government is in the process of reforming the rules around ILR; however, the benefits remain the same. Obtaining ILR removes many restrictions, allowing you to access key services such as healthcare and can lead to British Citizenship. There is no time limit on indefinite leave to remain, but it can be revoked if you leave the UK for over two years or for reasons of national security.
How To Get ILR?
Many visas qualify you for ILR such as work visas, spouse visas and dependent visas. UK Immigration rules are volatile and changing rapidly. Thus, confirming your status with an immigration law firm is highly recommended. Your visa determines how long it will take for you to get an ILR with many routes being from three to ten years. Do you want to know the quickest way to qualify for ILR? Speaking to an experienced immigration expert near you can provide specific advice based on your circumstances.
What Are The Key Benefits Of ILR?
Qualifying for ILR provides many benefits, allowing you to make the UK your forever home. Furthermore, enjoying security and peace of mind over your future opens up new opportunities. Here are the main benefits to tap into;
Work Wherever You Want
ILR removes restrictions on where and who you work for. Furthermore, you can work as many hours you wish. Hence, earning more and choosing to be self-employed or to start a business. Launching a business, setting yourself up on a freelance basis or taking on more work are possible – the sky’s the limit.
Keep Learning
With ILR you can access many educational institutions having the same rights as a UK citizen. Additionally, you can qualify for loans and scholarships without restrictions, opening up a whole new world of learning. Hence, this can help advance your career, developing new skills and exploring new areas of work.
Bring Over Your Family
Holders wishing to bring over family members can do with ILR, but they must be eligible. There are certain rules that apply to bringing over family members that must be followed. To check if your family members can join you, speaking to an immigration solicitor is best.
Automatic Status For Children
As an ILR holder any child you have in the UK automatically has British Citizenship, making starting a family more secure and stable. Many migrants aspire to obtain ILR before having children granting them the security of a life in the UK.
Qualify For British Citizenship
A driving motivation for migrants in obtaining ILR is qualifying for British Citizenship. ILR is a pre-requisite and once you have this you can go on to apply for naturalisation. Currently you must hold ILR for one year to apply, however there is an exception. If you are married to a British Citizen you need not wait. Ready to apply? Start the application process online or by speaking to an immigration law firm near you.
What Is The Difference Between ILR and British Citizenship?
ILR grants many of the same rights as British Citizenship. However, applying for British Citizenship gives even more benefits. For one you can apply for a British passport allowing you to move freely around the world. It also gives voting rights, authorising you to influence the future of British politics. Furthermore, British citizenship removes the ‘two year’ restriction rule, therefore if you leave the country and do not return beyond two years your residency continues. Ultimately this legal status provides more security, peace and control over your future.
To Recap
Achieving indefinite leave to remain provides many benefits from removing restrictions to giving security over your future. However, obtaining ILR takes time. How long it takes depends on your visa route from three to ten years. Also the government continues to update and change the rules so staying up to date is important.
The key benefits are accessing vital services such as healthcare, freedom to learn, work and earn what you want. You can qualify for grants and loans to assist your study and work ventures. Another benefit is bringing over family members/dependents. They will be subject to certain eligibility requirements. Furthermore, children you have with ILR will automatically have British citizenship. Finally, you can apply for British citizenship after one year of obtaining ILR. This provides even more benefits and removes all restrictions on your residency.
For more advice on your immigration status and obtaining ILR book a call with one of the friendly teams at Waterstone Legal. Supporting you on your journey is what we are here for.
