What is ILR?

Unlike Permanent Residence, Indefinite Leave to Remain is a status given to non-EEA nationals. If you have ILR and your home is the UK, you are regarded as being settled in the UK.

How do I prove that I have Indefinite Leave to Remain?

There are various ways in which Indefinite Leave to Remain can be documented:

• a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). If you are settled in the UK your BRP will display either ‘Indefinite Leave to Remain’, ‘Indefinite Leave to Enter’, or ‘No Time Limit’;
• a No Time Limit (NTL) stamp in your passport (expired or otherwise), stating ‘There is at present no time limit on the holder’s stay in the United Kingdom’;
• an Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) stamp in your passport (expired or otherwise), stating ‘Given indefinite leave to enter the United Kingdom’;
• an ILR stamp in your passport (expired or otherwise), stating ‘given leave to remain in the UK for an indefinite period;
• an ILR endorsement in your passport (expired or otherwise);
• a letter from the Home Office confirming your right to remain indefinitely in the UK.

What happens if I leave the UK after I have been granted ILR?

If you leave the UK following a grant of Indefinite Leave to Remain, you will normally be readmitted for settlement as a returning resident, provided that:

• you did not receive assistance from public funds towards the cost of leaving the UK;
• you had indefinite leave to enter or indefinite leave to remain here when you last left;
• you have not been away for longer than two years; and
• you are returning for the purpose of settlement.

In order to be considered as settled in the UK, you will have to be able to show that you are habitually and normally resident in the UK, and that any absences have been of a temporary or occasional nature.

If your absence from the UK is for longer than two years but you can still demonstrate that you had indefinite leave to enter or indefinite leave to remain here when you last left, and you are returning for the purpose of settlement, you may still qualify for admission as a returning resident if, for example, you have maintained strong connections with the UK.

You will not be re-admitted as a returning resident if you are resident overseas and only return to the UK for short periods.

You do not require a visa to return to the UK provided you are returning for settlement after an absence of two years or less. However, if you are returning for settlement to the UK after an absence of over 2 years, you are advised to apply or an entry clearance at the nearest British Diplomatic Post in the country in which you are living. This should then facilitate your re-admission to the UK.

Why Choose George Windsor Immigration

When facing the intricate process of applying for ILR application in the UK, it’s crucial to have expert legal advice and guidance.

• Expertise in Immigration Law:Our team is deeply knowledgeable in all aspects of UK immigration law, ensuring that your ILR application is handled with professionalism and up-to-date legal expertise.
• Personalised Attention:We understand that each case is unique. That’s why we offer personalised consultations to understand your specific situation and tailor our approach accordingly.
• High Success Rate:Our history of successful ILR applications proves our commitment to cases and attention to detail to your specific circumstances.
• Comprehensive Support:From document preparation to representing you in any legal proceedings, we provide end-to-end support throughout your ILR application process.
• Client-Centric Approach:At George Windsor Immigration, our client’s needs and concerns are our top priority. We aim to make the complex process of immigration as smooth and stress-free as possible.