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UK PR Visa

UK PR, officially called Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), lets you live and work in the UK permanently without needing a visa anymore. After holding ILR for 12 months, you can even apply for British citizenship.

Who Can Apply?

You can usually apply after 5 years in the UK on certain visas like:

  • Skilled Worker visa

  • Spouse/Partner visa

  • Global Talent or Investor visa

  • Or after 10 years of long-term legal stay

How to Apply for UK PR (ILR)

1. Check if You’re Eligible

You can apply if you’ve:

  • Lived in the UK for 5 years (or sometimes 10)
  • Been on a qualifying visa (like Skilled Worker, Spouse, Global Talent)
  • Followed the rules—no long trips away, paid taxes, etc.

 2. Pass a Couple of Tests

  • Life in the UK Test – A quiz about British life, culture, and history
  • English language test – Unless you’re from an English-speaking country or already meet the requirement

 3. Gather Your Documents

You’ll need things like:

  • Your passport and BRP card
  • Proof you’ve lived and worked in the UK for the required time (e.g. payslips, rent agreements)
  • Your test results (Life in UK & English)

 4. Attend a Biometric Appointment

  • You’ll be asked to give your fingerprints and photo at a local visa center

Documents You’ll Need for UK PR (ILR)

1.Identity Documents

  • Your passport
  • Your BRP card (if you have one)
  • Any travel documents (especially if you’ve been out of the UK often)

2. Proof You’ve Lived in the UK

You’ll need to show you’ve been living here legally for 5 years (or 10 years, depending on your route).
 Examples include:

  • Payslips
  • Utility bills or council tax
  • Tenancy agreements
  • Employer letters or contracts

 3.Work or Income Proof

If you’re applying through work or a partner route, you may also need:

  • Recent payslips
  • P60s (tax documents)
  • A letter from your employer
  • Bank statements showing your salary

 4.Required Test Certificates

  • Life in the UK Test certificate
  • English language test results (like IELTS), unless you’re exempt

 5. If You’re Applying as a Partner or Spouse

  • Your marriage certificate
  • Joint documents from the past 2+ years (like shared bills or bank accounts)

 6. Character & Background

  • Police certificate (if requested)
  • A history of your UK visas and travel

AFTER STUDENT VISA PR

Step 1: Study in the UK
              You enter the UK on a Tier 4 (Student) visa and complete your degree — Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD.

Step 2: Graduate Visa (Post-Study Work)

             After completing your course:

  •      Apply for the Graduate Route Visa
  •      Valid for:
    • 2 years (Bachelor’s or Master’s)
    • 3 years (PhD)
  • Allows you to live and work (any job, no sponsorship required)

 Step 3: Skilled Worker Visa

               Before your Graduate Visa ends:

  • Find a job with a UK employer who is a licensed sponsor
  • Job must meet the salary threshold (usually £26,200/year or £10.75/hour — varies by role)
  • Apply for a Skilled Worker visa (valid up to 5 years)

 Step 4: Permanent Residency (ILR – Indefinite Leave to Remain)

              After 5 continuous years in the UK (mostly on Skilled Worker Visa):

  • Apply for ILR (PR)
  • Requirements:
    • Proof of 5 years of legal stay
    • No long absences
    • Pass the Life in the UK Test
    • Meet English language requirements

 Step 5: British Citizenship (Optional)

  • After 1 year of holding PR, you can apply for UK Citizenship
  • Gives you the British passport & full rights

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I need to be in the UK before I can apply?
It depends on the visa you're on:
5 years for most work and partner routes
10 years if you’ve lived legally under any visa
Some investor/business routes allow earlier applications.
Can I include my family in the PR application?
Yes! You can include:
Your spouse or de facto partner
Children (biological, step, or adopted)
They get PR status if your application is approved.
What’s the Life in the UK test all about?
It’s a short quiz (24 questions) about UK history, values, and daily life. You book it online and need 75% to pass. It’s not too hard if you revise — think of it like a British culture pop quiz!
Can I apply for ILR if I’ve been outside the UK a lot?
It depends. You shouldn’t have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period during your qualifying years. If you were away due to work or emergencies, you may still be okay — but keep documents to prove it.