Permanent Residence

After you have lived legally in the UK for a certain length of time, you may be able to apply for permission to settle in the UK. The rules for settlement can vary depending on what visa you hold and have previously held. After being granted Permanent Residence, Settled Status or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), you may be able to apply to naturalise as a British citizen thereby obtaining a British passport.

Indefinite Leave to Remain

The Immigration Rules allow for certain visa holders to apply for ILR, this is normally 5 years but depends on which visa you have been on. The rules can be quite complex especially due to the Home Office’s constant changes to their guidance.

The following are examples of when you may be eligible for ILR


In addition to the number of years you have resided in the UK, you must also satisfy other requirements such as you must pass the Life in the UK test and have a speaking and listening qualification. Your application must also demonstrate that you have strong ties to the UK and have made this your home for the time you were here.

Naturalisation

Our partners who specialise in immigration law are regularly instructed by clients who have made the decision to make the UK their permanent home and as such wish to explore their options of obtaining a British passport. A recent study quoted by the Independent, found that British passports were ranked the fourth most powerful in the world allowing its holder to visit 174 countries visa-free. This can be a great advantage to business people who frequently travel the world searching for opportunities.

In order to make an application to naturalise as a British citizen, you must have held permanent residence, settled status or indefinite leave to remain (ILR) for at least 12 months. Generally, there are a number of requirements applicants must satisfy in order to make a successful application. Once you have completed five years of lawful residence in the UK and you have held indefinite leave to remain (ILR) for at least one year, you can apply for naturalisation as a British Citizen.

If you are married to a British Citizen, you can apply for naturalisation as soon as you have completed three years residence in the UK and you have ILR. If successful, it will mean you will no longer be subject to immigration control and you would be free to live and work not only in the UK but anywhere in the EEA. We can help with your naturalisation application and queries. Our partners can assist you with the preparation of your application and ensure that you meet all the requirements of the relevant immigration rules, we will ensure that all key points are substantiated with documentary evidence thereby leading to a successful application and avoiding unnecessary expense of re-submitting your application to the Home Office

Qualifying Criteria for British Citizenship


There are a number of requirements that one has to fulfil in order to make a successful application for British citizenship:

  • Minimum age of 18
  • Intention of having your home in the UK
  • Sufficient knowledge of English Language
  • Sufficient knowledge of life in the UK


Those wishing to apply for naturalisation should contact us so we can consider the eligibility criteria and explore whether among other requirements, you meet the good character and residency requirements.

Our partners have extensive experience in preparing permanent residence, and offer the below services:

  • Consultation with an immigration lawyer who can advise on the eligibility criteria of such an application
  • Provide the applicant with a bespoke supporting documents list which will assist them in collating documents required for the application
  • Prepare the relevant application form and detailed legal representations to accompany the application
  • Accompany the applicant to the visa centre so they can submit the application in person and receive a decision on the same day.
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