UK Citizenship
At Global Visas our team of dedicated immigration lawyers and migration consultants are fully equipped to assist clients with applications for long term UK immigration services. We help with applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK (ILR), commonly known as UK permanent residency and we help those already in possession of ILR to apply to naturalise as UK citizens.
Visit our online assessment area now to find out whether you qualify and to begin your application today.
UK Citizenship and Long Term Immigration Services
Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK – (ILR)
Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK is the official term applied to permanent residency in the UK. ILR is available to people who have been present for a number of years in the UK on another visa status and affords them the right to live and work in the UK for any employer without restriction.
Although Indefinite Leave to Remain is a permanent grant of residency in the UK, and may lead to the opportunity to apply for UK citizenship, it is important to realise that it is based upon the applicant making the UK their main home. Holders of ILR should not spend periods of more than two years outside the country, otherwise ILR may be withdrawn. It is also important to note that proficiency in the English Language is also a key requirement of an ILR application.
Applying for ILR - Eligibility Criteria
Candidates wishing to apply for ILR must have been living and working in the UK for a number of years, most commonly five, although in the case of marriage visas and De Facto visas the requirement is two yeas. ILR can follow a prolonged stay on many visa categories as outlined below:
- Ancestry Visa (after 5 years residence)
- Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) / Work Permit (after 5 years residence)
- Marriage Visa / De facto Visa (after 2 years residence)
- EU Nationals and dependants (after 5 years residence)
- Long Residency Visa (after 10 years as a legal resident or 14 years as a combination of illegal and legal residency).
UK Long Term Residency Visa
A UK long term residency visa is granted at the discretion of the Home Office and applies to people seeking ILR in Britain who have been living in the UK for a significant number of years. Generally a long term residency visa is granted on the basis of an applicant having lived in the UK for 10 or 14 years and slightly different criteria apply to each of these.
Applying for a UK Long Term Residency Visa – 10 Years
Candidates applying for this UK immigration service must have been living in the United Kingdom legally for at least ten years. Each case will be assessed upon its own merits and subject to Home Office approval a grant of permanent residency in the UK will be issued.
Applying for a UK Long Term Residency Visa – 14 Years
The 14 year option requires a total period of residence in the UK of 14 years which may be a combination of legal and illegal residence. Once again each cases will be subject to careful scrutiny by the Home Office.
Applying for a UK Long Term Residency Visa - 7 Year visa
Occasionally a UK long term residency visa may be awarded after 7 years of residence in the UK. This will only be considered where the applicant is facing removal from the UK and has young children who have been resident in the UK for 7 years or more.
It is important to note that although this UK visa service may result in Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, it does not apply to the spouse or partner of the applicant. Any dependents wishing to accompany the principle applicant must qualify for a UK visa in their own right.
British Naturalisation
British naturalisation is the process of obtaining UK citizenship and is available to foreign nationals living in the UK with a grant of ILR after 5 years of continuous residence. UK naturalisation gives a successful applicant full rights of British citizenship including a British passport and the right to vote.
Candidates applying for UK citizenship must be over 18 years of age, be deemed to be of good character and must be able to fulfil the following requirements.
- Applicant must have held ILR for 12 months or more and been living in the UK for at least five years.
- Applicants must have proficiency in the English language and must intend to continue living in the UK.
Dual Citizenship
It is important to note that although some countries allow candidates to retain their current citizenship once in possession of UK citizenship, known as ‘Dual Nationality’ this is not always the case. Some nations do not recognise Dual Citizenship and as a result, becoming a UK citizen will necessitate the forfeiting of the applicant’s existing citizenship.
At Global Visas we ensure that you obtain the right UK visa service for your needs. Just take a moment to complete one of our straightforward online assessment forms and a consultant will contact you.
