Everything You Need to Know About a No Time Limit Application

A biometric residence permit is a card containing a chip that holds a migrant’s details. These details include personal data, biometric information such as your fingerprints and photograph, and proof you’re permitted to reside, work or study in the UK. It can also be used as a form of ID.

These days, whenever someone is granted Indefinite Leave to Remain they receive a BRP card, although this wasn’t always the case. In the past, if you were granted ILR you simply received a vignette (sticker) in your passport or travel document.

If you hold Indefinite Leave to Remain status, you might wish to apply for a biometric residence permit (BRP) to replace the stamp in your passport or travel document. To do this, you’ll need to make what’s known as a No Time Limit (NTL) application.

There are a number of reasons why you may wish to apply for a NTL BRP. For example, your passport or travel document might have expired, or perhaps the details on your visa have changed and you would like this confirmed on a BRP. Regardless of your reasoning, if you wish to upgrade to a BRP then you’ll need to make a No Time Limit application.

What are the benefits?

Although it isn’t an absolute must that you apply for a NTL BRP, there are a number of benefits it brings that make it worthwhile.

Firstly, compared to an old-fashioned vignette in your passport, the BRP has enhanced security features, making it much more secure against forgery or abuse by another person.

Furthermore, your BRP is proof you’re allowed to live permanently in the UK and shows you have the right to work and access certain benefits. A BRP card is a quick and easy way to show all this information.

Lastly, your BRP can be used as a form of ID, meaning you won’t have to risk losing your passport or other type of document in the event you need to carry identification with you.

Am I eligible for a No Time Limit BRP?

Before you make a no time limit application, you should first ensure you’re eligible. This prevents wasting time and money on applications in the event you aren’t.

In order to qualify for an NTL BRP, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

• Must have Indefinite Leave to Remain or Indefinite Leave to Enter
• Must have not had their ILR or ILE revoked
• Must apply from within the UK with the NTL application form which can be found on the Gov.uk website

For anyone who has limited leave, it isn’t usually possible to make a No Time Limit application. If you’re someone who has limited leave, you’ll first need to make a transfer of conditions application before your status can be confirmed on a BRP.

The only situation where a person is able to make a NTL application while on limited leave is in the event they were given 2 months’ leave to enter at their port of entry due to the Border Force staff being unsatisfied they had indefinite leave following an absence from the UK.

Costs and waiting times

Once your application is submitted and all your supporting evidence and/or documentation has been received by the Home Office, you will have to wait up to 6 months for a decision. This isn’t taking into account any delays to services caused by COVID-19, so you may have to wait even longer depending on the current backlog when your application is submitted.

The application fee for transferring your ILR to a NTL BRP is currently £229. Those who need a decision sooner or are simply too impatient to wait for up to 6 months can pay extra to have their application fast-tracked using the super priority service. The cost of this service is £800.

If you’re considering the super priority service, you might be wondering what the expected wait time is. If your appointment at the UKVCAS is on a weekday then you should have a decision by the end of the next working day. If your appointment is on a weekend then you’ll receive your decision within 2 working days.

Including dependents on No Time Limit application

If you wish to include dependents on your application, then you can. The following qualify as dependents:

• Spouse
• Civil partner
• Unmarried partner
• Same-sex partner
• Children under the age of 18

If you’re including any dependents on your application, keep in mind you’ll need to pay the application fee for each dependent included on the form. Any children who are aged 18 or over must apply separately. If any children 18 or over are included, their application will be rejected as invalid.

How can your Manchester immigration lawyers help?

After reading through our guide on making a No time Limit application, hopefully most of your questions about the process, requirements and eligibility have now been answered. However, if you require some additional information or you’d like some help with your application, feel free to speak to a member of our team today as we’d be delighted to help.

We know how stressful and confusing applying for any visa type of change of status can be, which is why we offer services that remove that stress and give you the best chance of success on your application.

Our lawyers are experts in all aspects of immigration law, and you’ll be assigned a caseworker who’ll work with you directly, making sure all your forms are filled out correctly, any supporting documentation is included and we’ll even liaise with the Home Office during the application process.

For more information on how we can assist, speak to us today on 0161 826 9783