What is Permanent Residence in UK?
Permanent residence in UK, officially called Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), means you can live in Britain forever without visa restrictions. It’s like getting a “UK green card” that lets you work freely, use the NHS, and eventually apply for British citizenship through naturalisation. At Staf H Immigration, we’ve helped hundreds of people successfully get their UK PR status.
Different Ways to Get UK Permanent Residence
There are several paths to becoming permanently resident in the United Kingdom:
- After 5 years on a work visa – If you’ve had a Skilled Worker visa for 5 continuous years
- Through family – If you’re married to a British citizen for 5+ years
- Long residence – If you’ve lived legally in UK for 10 years
- EU Settlement Scheme – For EU citizens who were living in UK before 2021
Our team at Staf H Immigration can review your situation and tell you exactly how many years to get PR in UK based on your current visa.
UK Permanent Residence Requirements
To qualify for ILR (permanent stay in UK), you must:
- Have lived in UK legally for the required time (usually 5 years)
- Pass the Life in the UK test about British culture
- Meet English language requirements
- Not have broken any immigration rules
- Not have spent too much time outside UK
The exact UK permanent residence requirements vary depending on your visa type. For example, people applying through the 10-year route have different rules than those on work visas.
From PR to British Citizenship
After getting your permanent residence UK status, you can usually apply for naturalisation British citizenship 1 year later. The British nationality application process involves:
- Proving you’ve had ILR for at least 12 months
- Showing you meet the “good character” requirements
- Passing the same Life in the UK test again
- Attending a citizenship ceremony
Many of our clients at Stafh Immigration first get their PR in England, then later complete their UK naturalisation to become full British citizens.
Common Problems With PR Applications
We often see applications refused because of:
- Broken continuous residence (too many trips abroad)
- Missing documents like payslips or bank statements
- Failing the English test
- Criminal records or immigration breaches
This is why having experts like Staf H Immigration review your application before submitting can make all the difference. We check everything to give you the best chance of approval.
How Staf H Immigration Can Help
Our London-based team specialises in:
- Checking if you qualify for permanent residence UK status
- Preparing complete application packages
- Helping with Life in the UK test preparation
- Handling complex cases like absences from UK
- Advising on next steps after getting ILR
We make the process of how to get permanent residency in UK much simpler and less stressful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many years to get PR in UK?
Usually 5 years on most visas, but can be 2 years for some investors or 10 years for long residence.
Is ILR the same as British citizenship?
No, ILR (permanent residence) comes first. After 12 months with ILR, you can apply for naturalisation UK citizenship.
Can I lose my UK permanent residence?
Yes, if you leave UK for more than 2 years your ILR can lapse.
How much does it cost?
The current ILR fee is £2,404 plus £19.20 for biometrics. Citizenship applications cost £1,330.
Start Your Application Today
Getting your United Kingdom PR status is life-changing. At Staf H Immigration, we’ve helped people from all backgrounds successfully settle in UK permanently. Contact us today for honest advice about your permanent residence UK application.
Visit https://stafhimmigration.co.uk/ or call our London office to book a consultation. Let’s make your dream of staying in UK forever come true!
