A lot of people across the globe choose to settle and live in the UK every year. Considering the number of people moving to the UK, you must know about immigration to UK from India. Or, simply because they feel a connection to the place, they express a deep interest to live in. They move to this country to find their dream job or explore a business opportunity. At present, the United Kingdom is one of the most sought-after destinations for a great life. That is because it offers the best way to make your potential work in your favour and at the same time, enjoy a dynamic new culture.
PR (Permanent Resident) status in the UK provides any individual looking to live and work in the UK permanently a great opportunity to do so. A person with a keen interest needs to obtain this permit to work or conduct business in the United Kingdom, with no time limit on their stay and immigration restrictions.
What is ILR?
ILR (short for indefinite leave to remain) is equivalent to a PR (permanent residency) in the UK. It awards an immigration status to the citizens of other countries to live, study and take employment in the UK with no time limits or restrictions.
Who can apply for PR or ILR?
Immigration to UK from India entices a lot of people to settle and live in the country. If you want to obtain UK permanent residency, you are required to live in the country for 5 years under one of the below-mentioned categories:
- Tier 1
- Tier 2 of the points-based system for competent professionals from a foreign country, with a valid job offer in the United Kingdom
- Businessperson
- Investor
- International Students and Research Fellows
- Representative of a newspaper in a foreign country, news agency, PR agency, or broadcasting corporation
- Private servant in a diplomatic household
- Domestic worker in a private household
- Overseas government employee
- Self-employed lawyer or solicitor
- UK ancestry
- Highly skilled and experienced migrant under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP)
- Retired person of independent means
- Sole representative of an organization located abroad
Benefits of the UK permanent residence
- British Citizenship
- Right to remain in the UK forever
- Family can join you in the country
- Health care aid
- Availing education
- No work restrictions
- Robust economy in the UK
- Social security benefits
Eligibility Criteria to Apply for UK Permanent Residence
Applicant must be in a position to submit proof of living in the United Kingdom for pre-set time duration lawfully or otherwise equivalent to the granted visas. Listed below is the table showing the time period of stay in the UK to be completed in the declared categories:
| S. No. | Various visas/ Conditions of Stay | Duration of Stay |
| 1 | Marriage or unmarried partner to UK citizen | 2 years |
| 2 | Legally recognized stay on any basis (long stay) | 10 years |
| 3 | Unlawful stay | 14 years |
| 4 | Tier 2 & Tier 3 visa | 5 years |
| 5 | Investor, sportsperson, business owner, arts | 5 years |
| 6 | Ancestry | 5 years |
Eligibility for Settlement as a UK Citizen's Family Member
It is important for an applicant to be a partner of a UK citizen of an individual permanently settled in the United Kingdom. He or she must be present on a family visa (2, 5, or 10 years) as a partner or spouse of the partner who happens to be a citizen of the UK.
Marriage:-
A current visa in the partner category is eligible. This is when the applicant is married to a British partner or in a civil partnership or in an existing relationship although not married.
Living together:-
It is important to provide proof that you are living together and plan to continue doing so after you are granted UK permanent residency. Evidence may take the form of joint bank accounts, a joint tenancy agreement, and other vital official documents.
'Life in the UK' Test:-
It is mandatory to pass the 'Life in the UK' test. This test is designed in an easy manner to assess your knowledge of British life and evaluate your admiration and compatibility with it.
English test:-
Those applicants for whom English is not their first language, taking the 'English Test' is mandatory to prove fluency in speaking and understanding the language. This is owing to the fact that English is the official language of communication in each sector of British life.
Proof of finances:-
If you have family members depending on you, make sure your finances need to be in order as per the agreed limits of the immigration system. At present the funding expectations for supporting your family if you are on the 5-year route visa are mentioned below:
- At least £18,600 a year in case of no dependents.
- At least £22,400 a year in case of one dependent child.
- Extra £2,400 a year for each child above the limit on one.
All children under 18 years of age are a part of this income calculation scheme with the exception of children who are British or are of EU origin. The limits take the total income for both partners into consideration.
No lowest earnings stipulation is granted for a 2-year and 10-year route. Proof of finances when submitted ought to authenticate the applicant's ability to provide for their family without support from public funds of the country.
A permanent resident as a family member of someone settled in the United Kingdom:-
Spouse or partner must be settled in the United Kingdom based on a work visa (Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 5 visa). Applicant ought to be married or in a civil partnership or be in a relationship for no less than 2 years to obtain permanent residency.
Eligibility for Partners
You must be on a visa as your partner is dependent on you. If you received your visa after your partner was given settled status, you will have to apply as a settled person's partner.
If you were issued your current visa before 9 July 2012, you must have lived with your partner for no less than 2 years. This will extend up to 5 years if your visa was granted on or after 9 July 2012.
When you apply, you should be living together with your partner and plan to continue doing so. You should not claim benefits (access public funds) when you choose to apply. English language and knowledge of life in the United Kingdom requirements apply as well. So, make sure you meet these requirements before you make the application.
Documentation
- Current Payslips
- Bank account statements
- Address Proof, such as rent or lease contract, etc.
- Council tax letters
- Proof supporting the application of an applicant's disclosed other sources of income, if any
- Appointment Letter from the employer on company letterhead with signatory authority stamp as well as a date if the applicant is a job employee
- In the case of business owners, material apropos must be provided with respect to registered business addresses, relevant valid permits, and more.
Application Processfor Immigration to UK from India
Make sure you meticulously check all requirements for eligibility criteria and collect all the relevant documents so they can be submitted as proof. Also, do provide access to your immigration history, with necessary details of UK visas since your arrival.
For an individual application by post, it takes £2389. Please note that fees for application in person might be somewhat higher. The advantage of this method is that you do not have to wait for 6 months for the decision to be declared, as it is done on the same day.
Processing Time
The time to process an application is around 6 months or more.
Permanent Residence Visa Application for EEA, EU Nationals, or Swiss Citizens
Visa applications for Permanent Residence in the UK are not accepted by EEA/EU citizens or Swiss citizens. If the application has been made before 1 January 2021, it will still be taken into consideration. However, it may take up to 6 months for getting a decision.
Every granted EEA permanent residence card in the past, which confirms the right of permanent residence in the UK for those individuals who have implemented Treaty rights in the country for a consistent period of 5 years, will not be valid after 30 June 2021.
Until that date, it can be used for applying for UK citizenship and sponsoring the visa application of your partner if they are applying for a visa based on your residence.
Do you want to make your UK dream come true? Let the skilled immigration experts at Oasis Resource Management help you better with your queries concerning immigration to UK from India.
