The Benefits of Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK

If you’re reading this page, chances are you’ll already know that Indefinite Leave to Remain is a type of permanent residency that’s given to foreign nationals living in the United Kingdom. ILR allows you to leave and enter the country as you please, and you won’t be subject to any imposed immigration conditions.

You’ll also be afforded many of the rights and benefits of British citizens, and ILR is the penultimate step on your route to eventually naturalising as a British national. If you’re considering making an application for Indefinite Leave to Remain, you might be wondering what holding ILR status means and what it can do for you. So, to give you a good understanding, here are the main ILR benefits.

What are the ILR benefits?

Not only is obtaining Indefinite Leave to Remain crucial if you wish to naturalise and become a full British citizen, but it also comes with a range of benefits and will make living and staying in the United Kingdom all the more worthwhile.

You’ll be able to live and work in the UK for as long as you like, and you can also re-enter the country as many times as you wish without any of the usual restrictions.

There are also some financial benefits that come with holding Indefinite Leave to Remain. As well as receiving access to public services and funds, when comparing ILR to work visas you’ll also save money on visa extensions. For example, if you’re staying here on a Temporary Worker Visa and you wish to remain in the country for longer than your current visa allows, it’ll cost you money to extend your stay. However, if you hold Indefinite Leave to Remain, you won’t need to pay to stay for longer, so you’ll save money that would have otherwise been spent on visa extensions.

There are also some financial advantages for students, too. That’s because if you hold ILR, you’ll be considered a “home student” rather than an “international” student, which means you’ll be eligible for subsidisation on your course fees. As any current or former student will attest, course fees don’t come cheap, so there are some real savings to be had here.

So, all in all, there are some great benefits that come with Indefinite Leave to Remain. As with all visas or residency types, whether or not you should go down this route will depend on your personal circumstances. However, if you plan on staying in the UK permanently or even just long-term, this is an option that should be seriously considered.

What don’t you get with Indefinite Leave to Remain?

In many ways, those who hold ILR have the same benefits as full British citizens. Not only do they have access to public services and funds, but they have all the same rights and protections. There are a few things you don’t get with ILR though.

Firstly, you aren’t allowed to vote so you can’t participate in local or general elections. Some might not care about this, although for those who are engaged in politics it might come as a bit of a disappointment.

Secondly, despite its name, Indefinite Leave to Remain isn’t necessarily indefinite. Although you can leave and enter the UK as and when you please, if you stay out of the country for longer than two years then your ILR status will be automatically revoked.

Likewise, if you commit a crime that warrants a prison sentence and the judge deems your removal from the country to be in the public interest, then you could be stripped of your ILR status and deported once your sentence is complete.

These are a few things to keep in mind, although as mentioned before, ILR is the penultimate step on your journey to naturalising as a British citizen. Once you obtain full British citizenship, you’ll then be able to vote and your stay in the country is pretty much guaranteed.

Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain

So now you’re fully aware of all the benefits you get with ILR, perhaps it’s time to start preparing your application. Applying for any type of visa can be a complex and painstaking process, but fortunately we’re on hand to assist with your Indefinite Leave to Remain application and the ILR requirements.

Our teams of lawyers are experts in this field, and they’ll guide you through the process, ensuring your application is completed to the highest possible standard free from any delay-causing mistakes or oversights.

So, to discuss an application for Indefinite Leave to Remain, or any other immigration-related topic, complete our online form or call us today on 0161 532 7794