Indefinite leave to remain

Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or permanent residency (PR) is an immigration status granted to a person who does not hold the right of abode in the United Kingdom (UK), but who has been admitted to the UK without any time limit on his or her stay and who is free to take up employment or study, without restriction. When indefinite leave is granted to persons outside the United Kingdom it is known as indefinite leave to enter (ILE).

A person who has indefinite leave to remain, the right of abode or Irish citizenship has settled status if resident in the United Kingdom (all full British citizens have the right of abode).

Indefinite leave is not a permanent status. It can lapse where the holder has stayed outside the United Kingdom for a continuous period of more than two years.

Settled status is central to British nationality law, as the most usual route to naturalisation or registration as a British citizen requires that the applicant be settled in the UK. Settled status is also important where a child of non-British citizen parents is born in the UK, as unless at least one parent has settled status the child will not automatically be a British citizen.

Holders of ILR may apply for British citizenship if they have held ILR for twelve months or longer, are over 18 and have been living in the United Kingdom for the last five years.

There are seven requirements for naturalisation. The applicant:-

There are several residential requirements. The applicant must:-

See "Standard Requirements", April 2010.

Alternatively, there is a simpler procedure for holders of ILR applying for British citizenship if they are married to a British citizen. The residential requirements for those falling into this category need only hold ILR on the day they apply for British citizenship, but must also:-

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