Posted on December 27 2024

What is UK ILR vs. US Green Card?

By
Anshul Singhal
, Editor

Updated December 27 2024

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.

Features	UK ILR	US Green Card
Eligibility Criteria	• Have resided in the UK for the required residency period (Depending on the type of UK visa) • Have a good character • Qualify the Life in the UK test • Have the required English language proficiency of a minimum of Level B1	At least five years of residency in the US, or three years if married to a U.S. citizen Good character certificate and health certificate Knowledge of US history. Proficiency in the English language Residency in the specific US location for a minimum of three months before applying.




Pathways	• Skilled Worker visa • International Sportsperson visa • Global Talent visa • Innovator visa • Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa • Representative of an overseas business visa • UK Spouse visa • Health and Care Worker visa	Green Card through: Family Employment Special Immigrant Registry Other Categories











Sponsorship Option for Spouses and Dependents	Spouses and children below 18 years can be sponsored for UK ILR	Spouses and children below 21 years of age can be sponsored for the US Green Card
Residency Requirements	UK ILR applicants are required to stay in the UK for 5 years	Green Card applicants are required to remain in the U.S. for a minimum of 6 months in every 12 months
Applying for Citizenship	UK ILR holders can apply for British citizenship after 12 months	U.S. Green Card holders can apply for citizenship after at least 5 years of stay in the U.S.
Work Permit for Spouses	Spouses can apply for work permits in the UK	Spouses can lawfully work in the U.S.
Sponsorship Option for Other Family Members	UK ILR holders can sponsor an adult dependent relative on a family visa.
Benefits	• Avail of numerous work opportunities in the UK • Access to public services in the UK • Travel freely in and out of the UK • Sponsor skilled workers • Study in the UK • Establish a business in the UK	• Work in any private sector • Avail of public education • Protected under U.S. law • Candidates can apply for citizenship after 5 years of obtaining a US Green car



Processing Fee	The processing fee for UK ILR is £2,885	Family based US Green Card applications ranges from $2,000 to $3,000 Employment based US Green Card applications ranges from $2,000 to $5,000
Processing Time	The processing time for UK ILR is 6 months	The processing time for US Green Card varies from 10 months to 3 years.
Validity	The UK ILR is valid for life	The validity of US Green Card is 10 years