How to Apply for Permanent Residence in the UK

The UK Permanent Residency is called Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). The ILR status will allow you to work, study, and live in the UK permanently without any immigration restrictions or limitations on the time you can stay. Many people from all over the world, especially students, aspire to come to the UK to study and work and eventually settle down there. For that, they will need a UK Permanent Residency (ILR). If you're interested in applying for the UK Permanent Residency, the UK PR process, the UK PR requirements, cost, eligibility, and more, keep reading to find out in this ultimate guide to the UK PR process.

Why should you get a UK permanent residency?

A person with a UK permanent residency is not subject to immigration controls and can travel in and out of the country on their own terms. If you plan on pursuing education in the UK and later want to work there, then getting a permanent residency in the UK will help you achieve your long-term goals.
Not just this, permanent residency in the UK has many benefits that one can get and be part of. Let’s look at some of them:

1. Easy entry into the UK

Having a permanent residency in the UK will make the administrative formalities or dealing with the authorities easier and smoother. You may not need to prove your job status, sufficient resources, etc. 

2. Applying for British Citizenship 

One year after obtaining the UK Permanent Residence, you can apply for British Citizenship. Having British citizenship has its own advantages, including free medical care under the NHS, full civic rights, and more.

3. Social Security Benefits

Social services and social security are highly invested in by the UK Government, and to take advantage of the benefits, you have to have a permanent residency in the UK. Many schemes like family tax benefits, basic pensions, subsidies, unemployment insurance, and more are available for UK Permanent Residence people.

4. Family can live in the UK

The family of the person having a UK Permanent Residence can live with them in the UK even if they don't qualify for one themselves. Children, parents, spouses, and other dependent family members of the person holding the UK Permanent Residence can live in the UK. 

5. Healthcare Benefits

A person with a UK Permanent Residence can get many benefits, and it helps appropriate health costs and even be exempted from them if applicable. Permanent residence will also help you with health insurance and its proper usage in case of emergencies. If you register with a GP, you can get the benefits of Dental and Optical Care. The National Health Service (NHS) can also be used for any kind of hospital treatment.

6. Helps the child become a British Citizen

If both the child’s parents have a UK Permanent Residence and are in the UK or are moving to the UK with the child, the child automatically becomes a British citizen. The parents will need to show proof of their PR, like an ILR certificate or Permanent Residence Card, at the time of application.

7. Housing Benefits

Having a permanent residency in the UK gives you many housing benefits. You can apply for homelessness assistance if you need it, and it will generally be easier to find a place to rent if you have a UK Permanent Residence.

8. International Education benefits for children

Permanent residency in the UK allows you to get student support if you have been ordinarily resident there for 3 years. After 3 years, even the children holding the ILR statutes are allowed to go to school and are eligible for the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) funded courses.

Who is Eligible for permanent residency in the UK?

There are a few eligibility criteria you have to pass to be eligible for permanent residency in the UK, which are as follows:

1. Tier 1 and Tier 2 work permanent visa in the UK - 5 years
2. A married or unmarried partner who is a British Citizen  - 2 years
3. Lawful stay on any basis - 10 years
4. Ancestry - 5 years
5. Sportsperson, artist, investor, or business owner - 5 years
6. Unlawful stay - 15 years
7. A statement from the employer stating the employment and ability to meet the pay criteria. The employment should pay the person more than the minimum wage, which is more than  £25,600 per year, an hourly rate of £10.10. The ‘Standard wage’ for your task.
8. A “Life in the UK” test for anyone between the ages of 18 and 64.
9. A degree taught in English or an English language certificate of at least level B1 of the CEFR.

Documents required for a permanent residency in the UK

The documents needed for a permanent residency in the UK must be submitted on time and accurately, and there cannot be any missing documents. The documents needed are:

1. Proof of address, which is a lease or rent contract
2. Council Tax letters
3. If the person applying has any other income sources, the proof of the calculations.
4. Proof of financial status through the bank account statements
5. Currently valid Pay Stubs
6. An appointment letter with a signatory authority stamp and the date of the employer.

If applying for Legal Relationship Status for Set (M):

1. Birth and Marriage certificate
2. Photo and video evidence of the family member

If applying for Set (0):

1. Passport-size pictures taken recently with your full name on the back
2. Recent Pay Stubs to show your income or that it is above the required amount to qualify to settle in the UK.
3. Listed on your personal bank account or building society statement should be the name, account number, transactions by the sponsor, financial institution name, and statement date.

What does the UK PR process look like?

1. After the applicant graduates, they should examine the criteria for permanent residence in the UK.
2. Find the application you qualify for and fill out the online form.
3. The UK Permanent Residence application needs to be filled out at least 28 days before the expiration of your qualifying term.
4. The application for the Biometric Residence Permit needs to be filled out.
5. The personal history part needs to be appropriately filled.
6. Sign the declaration form once you have read it.
7. You will get a statement on your application within six months if you have used the standard services.

How to get a permanent residency in the UK

If you plan to get a permanent residency in the UK, you must look for ways to do it. Don’t worry; we will help you out by suggesting some ways you can use to get permanent residency in the UK. 

1. Getting into a university

The UK has some of the best universities in the world, and getting into a university in the UK is the first step to getting a UK Permanent Residence. The higher education there is one of the best in the world, and a degree obtained from one of those universities will give you an excellent foundation for your career. You can apply to UK universities through UCAS for undergraduate programs. This is the first step towards the UK PR requirements. Those who wish to apply for the postgraduate programs can directly apply to the universities.
While studying in the UK, you will need a place to live, aka student accommodation in the UK near your chosen university!

2. Get a Student Visa

A student visa application is necessary after you are admitted to a UK University. This student visa will later help with the UK PR process. A few of the UK PR requirements that one needs to fulfil to obtain a UK student visa, such as:

1. Sufficient financial resources
2. An offer from the licensed student sponsor
3. Apart from the above, one must understand, speak, read, and write in English.

3. Internships

The internship will help you build up a great resume and also help financially. Tier-4 visa-holding students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week when the school year is in session and full-time during holidays and vacations. This is a very important step in the UK PR process. Learn more about how to get an internship, the benefits of online internships, and how to write your first resume.
You can look for internships on online sites, compare the different opportunities, and choose the best internships for you. 

4. Get a Job

After graduating, a student can apply for a post-study work (PSW) visa that will allow them to be employed in any job for the first two years before it is converted to a regular work permanent visa in UK. Overseas students with enough funds to start their own organisation can apply for the Entrepreneur Visa. Tier 1, 2, and 5 visas can be obtained by students who want their own startups. 

Cost of permanent residency in the UK

Here is a breakdown of the costs of permanent residency in the UK. The charges may vary depending upon changes in rules and regulations, so you can also take a look at the official website for updated information. 

There you go; that is how you can obtain permanent residency in the UK. The process can be overwhelming if you are a student trying to take care of the student essentials, but it’s not entirely impossible. We hope this guide helps make the journey easier and smoother!