‘Indefinite Leave to Remain’
Route to Permanent Residency chart:
5-Year Route
The old Work Permit and Highly-Skilled Migrant schemes are now closed to new applicants. The Home Office has introduced new categories in Tiers 1 and Skilled Worker visa, and the ancestry visa to allow migrants to settle after residing in the UK for a continuous period of 5 years (Does not apply to students). In some cases, applicants may be allowed to combine the times spent under different work visas to make up those 5 years. Dependents may also apply for settlement along with the main applicant.
10-Year Route
If a person has spent a continuous period of 10 years in the UK on any visa types (for example a Student Route visa) without any break in residence, they may be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Dependents cannot apply in line with the main applicant. Please click here for more details.