How long can I stay outside with UK ILR?

You can stay outside the UK for 2 years with the UK ILR or Indefinite Leave to Remain. Staying beyond the 2 years allowance risks your permanent residency in the UK. Only British citizens can live outside the UK indefinitely.

In case your UK ILR lapses, you can apply for the UK Returning Resident Visa to restore your permanent residency status in the UK.

Also Read…

What is UK ILR vs. British Citizenship?
 

What is a Returning Resident visa?

The UK Returning Resident visa allows you to re-enter the UK if you have stayed outside the country for more than two years. You are required to provide proof of having strong ties to the UK and an intention to settle permanently in the country.
 

Requirements for Returning Resident Visa

You are required to submit the following documents to apply for the UK Returning Resident Visa.

• Previous passport with the UK ILR stamp
• Current passport
• Proof of ties to the UK
• Proof of intention to resettle in the UK
• Proof of adequate funds to sponsor your stay in the UK. 

*Looking for guidance related to UK ILR? Sign up with Y-Axis for complete assistance.
 

How to Apply for the UK Returning Resident Visa?

The step-by-step procedure to apply for the UK Returning Resident Visa is given below.

Step 1: Check your eligibility for the UK Returning Resident Visa.

Step 2: Arrange the required documents for the visa.

Step 3: Pay the required fee and submit your duly filled visa application

Step 4: Wait for the decision on your visa application

Step 5: Travel to the UK

*Are you looking for guidance related to UK ILR? Contact Y-Axis, the leading overseas immigration consultancy in the UK, for end-to-end support.

What is UK ILR vs. US Green Card?

The UK Indefinite Leave to Remain or ILR and US Green Card authorizes permanent residency to foreign nationals in the UK and the U.S., respectively. You can apply for permanent residency in the UK after residing and working for 5 years in the UK. The US Green Card can be applied after working and living in the US for 5 years.  

The US Green Card or the UK ILR offers various benefits, such as free education, access to multiple job opportunities, free universal healthcare, and other social benefits.

As a permanent resident, you can apply for citizenship after fulfilling the residency requirement. You can apply for British citizenship after 1 year of having UK ILR, whereas for the US Green Card, you must stay in the US for at least 5 years.

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UK ILR vs. US Green Card

The differences between the UK ILR and the US Green Card are given in the table below.

* Are you looking for guidance with the UK ILR process? Contact Y-Axis, the leading overseas immigration consultancy in UK for end-to-end assistance!

How long can I stay outside with UK ILR?

You can stay outside the UK for 2 years with the UK ILR or Indefinite Leave to Remain. Staying beyond the 2 years allowance risks your permanent residency in the UK. Only British citizens can live outside the UK indefinitely.

In case your UK ILR lapses, you can apply for the UK Returning Resident Visa to restore your permanent residency status in the UK.

Also Read…

What is UK ILR vs. British Citizenship?
 

What is a Returning Resident visa?

The UK Returning Resident visa allows you to re-enter the UK if you have stayed outside the country for more than two years. You are required to provide proof of having strong ties to the UK and an intention to settle permanently in the country.
 

Requirements for Returning Resident Visa

You are required to submit the following documents to apply for the UK Returning Resident Visa.

• Previous passport with the UK ILR stamp
• Current passport
• Proof of ties to the UK
• Proof of intention to resettle in the UK
• Proof of adequate funds to sponsor your stay in the UK. 

*Looking for guidance related to UK ILR? Sign up with Y-Axis for complete assistance.
 

How to Apply for the UK Returning Resident Visa?

The step-by-step procedure to apply for the UK Returning Resident Visa is given below.

Step 1: Check your eligibility for the UK Returning Resident Visa.

Step 2: Arrange the required documents for the visa.

Step 3: Pay the required fee and submit your duly filled visa application

Step 4: Wait for the decision on your visa application

Step 5: Travel to the UK

*Are you looking for guidance related to UK ILR? Contact Y-Axis, the leading overseas immigration consultancy in the UK, for end-to-end support.

Do I get UK ILR in 8 years?

No, you cannot get UK ILR or Indefinite Leave to Remain after just 8 years of residing in the UK. You can apply for UK ILR after 5 years of living in the UK on a work visa or after 10 years of residence in the UK, also known as the "long residence" route. The UK ILR grants you permanent residency in the UK. You can legally live and work in the UK indefinitely with a UK ILR and even qualify for British citizenship after 12 months of being a valid UK ILR holder.
 

*Want to apply for an Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK? Let Y-Axis guide you with the process.  
 

Eligibility for UK Indefinite Leave to Remain

The eligibility criteria for UK Indefinite Leave to Remain are given below:

• Have fulfilled the required residency period (Depending on the type of UK visa)
• Qualify in the English language proficiency tests
• Qualify the Life in the UK test
• Have a good character
   

Requirements for UK ILR

To apply for a UK ILR, you must fulfill the following requirements:

• Proof of English language proficiency test of at least B1 level
• Qualify in the Life in the UK test
• Fulfill the residency requirement as per your UK visa
• Must not have resided outside the UK for more than 180 days in a 12-month time frame
• Fulfill the character requirement
   

Procedure to Apply for UK ILR

The step-by-step procedure to apply for UK ILR is given below.

Step 1: Assess your eligibility for the UK ILR

Step 2: Arrange the required documents.

Step 3: Pay the required fees along with the biometric submission.

Step 4: Submit the duly filled application form for UK ILR

Step 5: Wait for the decision on your UK ILR application
 

*Are you looking for assistance with UK ILR application process? Sign up with Y-Axis, the leading overseas immigration consultancy in the UK, for end-to-end support.

Is UK ILR available for Canadian citizens?

Yes, UK ILR is available for Canadian citizens. The UK ILR or Indefinite Leave to Remain grants permanent residency in the country. You can apply for UK ILR after staying in the UK for a continuous period of 5 years along with fulfilling other requirements such as language proficiency and qualifying for the Life in the UK Test. The UK ILR authorizes you to live and work in the UK without any restrictions. After obtaining permanent residency in the UK through ILR, you can apply for British citizenship after 12 months. The processing time of UK ILR is 6 months, while the processing fee costs around £2900.

*Want to apply for an Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK? Let Y-Axis guide you with the process.  

UK ILR Requirements for Canadian Citizens

Canadian citizens must fulfill the below eligibility requirements to apply for an ILR in the UK:

• Have a valid UK visa
• Fulfill the minimum residency requirements
• Fulfill the English language proficiency tests
• Have a valid passport
• Evidence of any leaves of absence from the UK during the residency period
• Qualify for the Life in the UK Test

UK ILR Application Process for Canadians

The procedure to apply for UK ILR is given below:

Step 1: Determine your eligibility

Step 2: Arrange the required documents such as:

• Canadian passport
• Employment pay slips
• Proof of proficiency in the English language
• Valid visa
• Clear criminal record

Step 3: Complete the application fee payment.

Step 4: Submit your ILR application form

Step 5: Wait for a decision on your visa application.

UK ILR Visa Routes for Canadians

You can apply for UK ILR if you have any of the UK visas given below: 

• Skilled Worker visa
• International Sportsperson visa
• Global Talent visa
• Innovator visa
• Spouse visa
• Parent visa
• Child visa
• Adult dependent relative visa
• Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) visa
• Ancestry visa

*Are you looking for assistance with UK ILR application process? Sign up with Y-Axis, the leading overseas immigration consultancy in the UK, for end-to-end support.