Know Everything About UK PR Process & Requirements

Looking for the process for settling down in the UK? Want to know everything about the UK PR process? You have chosen the right place to have answers to all your questions! 

Citizens from all over the world move to the UK every year with the hope of finding a dream job or a promising business opportunity, or simply because they feel a connection to the place they wanted to live. Today, the United Kingdom is one of the most popular destinations for a better life, because it offers a great way to use your potential and at the same time enjoy a dynamic new culture.

Do you know?

Under existing immigration policy, this immigration status can only be granted to those who do not have the right to abode or permanent residence for EEA nationals, that is, those who do not have the right to abode in the UK.

Want to know more? Come along… 

What all is covered in this post?

To make it easier for you, we have created a quick guide to everything you need to know about the UK PR process. 

Before moving further let’s first understand what is PR.

What is UK PR?

Permanent residence, short for PR, in the United Kingdom, gives individuals the permission they need to study, work or legally do business in the United Kingdom. In 2019, the UK Home Office established the European Union Settlement Scheme to certify EU (European Union) residents living in the UK before the UK leaves, leaves, or withdraws from the EU (also known as Brexit). Under existing immigration policy, this immigration status can only be granted to those who do not have the right to abode or permanent residence for EEA nationals, that is, those who do not have the right to abode in the UK. However, if a person spends more than two years continuously outside the UK after already having UK permanent resident status, their PR visa is likely to be canceled.

Who can apply for UK PR?

You can apply for permanent residence in the UK after living legally in the country for a certain number of years. You can usually apply for a permit after living in the UK for five years, however, there are other ways to get permanent residence and these depend on the original visa you purchased.

Below is a list showing the length of time you must spend in the UK on different visas to be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)*:

• Marriage or common-law partner with a UK citizen: 2 years
• Legal stay on any basis (long stay): 10 years
• Illegal stay: 14 years
• Tier 1 and Tier 2 work permit: 5 years
• Investor, athlete, business owner: 5 years
• Origin: 5 years

If your stay in the UK falls into any of the above categories and you have completed the stated period of time, you may be eligible to apply to live in the UK and obtain UK permanent residence.

*ILR: ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) is similar to Permanent Residence (PR) in the UK. It gives foreign nationals immigration status to live, study and work in the UK without any time limit.

Note: For more details, on UK visas check out our blog on UK student visa.

Eligibility to obtain UK PR for Indians

After completing your education, the two main conditions for being eligible for PR in the UK are having a valid UK visa and being able to live there. 

Let’s learn more about the UK PR method and eligibility in the remaining sections of the article.

• You must have lived and worked in the UK for five years.
• You must work for a company that is on the Home Office’s list of recognized employers.
• Even if you take a UK PR, your company must want your services to pay you the salary you need. It is necessary to obtain and submit the relevant document from the place of work confirming the same.
• If you are aged between 18 and 64, you must pass Living in the UK.
• You must either have a degree taught in English or have an English language certificate corresponding to level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(CEFR).
• You must meet the following salary requirements:

• £25,600 per annum, or
• £20,480 a year (if you are paid less), or
• 10.10 pounds per hour. 

Documents required for PR in the UK

The list of documents you need to have with you when applying for PR in the UK is as follows:

1. A passport that is still valid or another recognized document that proves your nationality and identity.
2. Your evidence of English proficiency.
3. Your name and annual salary, please.
4. The occupation code for your job.
5. The name and sponsorship license number of your employer, which will appear on your certificate of sponsorship.
6. The identification number on your certificate of sponsorship (provided by your employer).
7. Current Pay slips
8. Bank account statements
9. Address proof (like rent or lease contract etc.)
10. Council tax letters
11. Proof supporting the calculation of an applicant’s disclosed other sources of income, if any.
12. Appointment Letter from employer on company Letterhead with signatory authority stamp and date in case the applicant is a job employee.
13. In case of business owners, material apropos must be provided regarding registered business address, relevant valid permits etc.

Proof of funds

If you have a dependent family, your finances must be in order within the restrictions of the immigration system. The funding to support your family if you are on a 5-year route visa is currently expected to be:

1. At least £18,600 a year if there are no dependents.
2. At least £22,400 a year for one dependent child.
3. An extra £2,400 a year for each child over the one limit.

All children under the age of 18 are part of this income calculation scheme, except for children who come from the UK or the EU. The limits take into account the total income of both partners.

There is no minimum salary for the 2- and 10-year routes. Evidence of financial status must demonstrate the applicant’s ability to provide for their family without the support of UK public funds.

How to get PR in the UK?

Permanent residence in the UK is also known as indefinite leave to leave (ILR). With this, you can live and work in the UK permanently. You can also apply for British citizenship after 12 months.

There are different ways to apply for permanent residence in the UK depending on your situation. For example, you can apply for ILR if:

You have lived in the UK for 5 years or more

If you have lived in the UK for 5 years or more, you should be able to apply for permanent residence in the UK. However, there are exceptions. For example, you will not be able to apply for ILR if you have lived in the UK on a Tier 2 ICT work visa, which is issued to people who have moved to a branch of a UK company from abroad to work on a specific project.

You are a family member of a UK citizen or permanent resident

If you are the spouse, parent, or dependent of a UK citizen or permanent resident, you may also be entitled to ILR. Depending on the type of visa you lived in the UK on, you can apply for permanent residence after 2 years.

You have a work visa

You can apply for ILR if you have held a Tier 2 (General) work visa for five years. Your employer will have to sponsor you. You are also likely to have to prove that you earn at least £25,600 a year unless you work in the health sector or in an occupation that is in short supply in the UK.

Also, read: Study in London

Cost of PR for the UK

As a general rule, an application for permanent residence made in the United Kingdom usually takes at least six months to be approved.

1. The fee for processing a PR or ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) application in the UK is £2,389
2. You actually charge £19.20 for your biometric data such as fingerprints and photos

Applying in person has the advantage that you get your statement on the same day and you don’t have to wait up to six months for your request to be processed. To get a faster opinion on your PR application, you can have one of the following categories:

• Priority Service: With this service, you will receive your statement in five business days. You will have to pay an additional £500 to take advantage of this option. The total for this is £2,899.
• Super Priority Service: If you pay an extra £800 for this service, you will receive your statement the day after providing your biometrics. Applying for this service will cost £3,189 in total.

It’s a Wrap!

Permanent residence in the United Kingdom is possible for Indian and other international students who meet all the above criteria. If you have enrolled in a UK university or course, have excellent grades or a degree, and are talented in your profession, nothing can stop you from getting a UK PR. Remember, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for international students to make an irreversible change in their lives. So, study in the United Kingdom and work your way up to a permanent resident card.

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