If you are applying for an Indefinite Leave to Remain, depending on your present visa type and other factors, you might be asked to attach various supporting documents to your application.
The ILR is a settlement visa that allows individuals from foreign countries to come to the UK and stay without any limitation concerning his/her status. ILR is thus only granted if a particular list of requirements is fulfilled about a specific UK immigration law.
In the UK, there are different routes leading to ILR, the five and ten-year ILR visa routes are usually used to qualify. The five-year route applies to a person who has been in the UK for the continuous five years, with valid permission to stay during that whole period. In short, when applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain, it is crucial to ensure that proper documentation is all included and in the right format.
Providing proper documents would reduce the chance of undergoing unnecessary delays and hurdles in terms of being granted ILR. Before you apply for British citizenship, you need to understand the British ILR requirements.
Evidence of Continuous Residence for ILR
The applicant can submit a variety of evidence about continuous residence, which may include the following:
- P60s forms, payslips, or tax returns
- Mortgage statements or tenancy agreements
- Bank statements demonstrating regular financial activity.
- Correspondence from any UK-approved educational institution
- Utility account statements (electricity, water, gas)
- Council tax bills (or equivalent)
- Passport copies containing entry and exit stamps
- Correspondence from a dental practitioner or physician
- A record of absences from the UK during the qualifying period.
- Proof of your English language skills
Proof of English Language Proficiency
To demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency, the applicant can submit one of the following documents:
- English language test
- A UK-approved Degree taught in the UK
- Citizenship of an English-speaking country
- Degree awarded in a country that is English-speaking (UK NARIC approved)
- Life in the UK test taken for ILR
Proof of Life in the UK Test
Passing the Life in the UK test is compulsory for all ILR applicants and tests candidates' knowledge of British traditions, customs, laws, and institutions. Evidence showing that the applicant has passed the Life in the UK test includes:
- Life in the UK Test Pass Certificate
In applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain, the applicant must submit the satisfactorily relevant documents to the Home Office. Other supporting documents to be submitted will be based on the applicant's circumstances.
Various other documents may include some or all of the following requirements for your ILR application process:
- A valid passport
- Two photographs (preferably passport-size)
- Evidence of having taken the Life in the UK test
- Evidence of your ability to speak English (if you had to take an English language test)
- A record of any period of absence from the UK
- Your biometric residence permit copy (if you have one)
- Evidence of your address in the UK, such as tenancy agreements
- If you are bringing your children along, then their birth certificates
Conclusion
As a rule of thumb, the UK Home Office's general preference is original documents. You may be asked to upload digital scans of your original documentation when you are applying online. Also, hiring an immigration solicitor will ensure you are aware of the requirements and help you with compliance.
