ILR Documents Checklist (Updated List)

Overview of ILR

ILR is settlement visa that enables people from other countries to live and work in the UK without any limitations on their status. To be eligible for ILR, individuals must meet specific requirements and eligibility criteria according to UK immigration law.

There are different routes to obtaining ILR, including the five-year and ten-year ILR visa routes. The five-year route is available to individuals who have been in the UK for five years continuously, with valid permission to stay throughout that period.

Individuals who have lived in the UK for ten years continuously and meet the other eligibility criteria can apply for ILR through the ten-year route. It is essential when you make an application for Indefinite Leave to Remain that you ensure you have included all the required documents in the correct format.

Making sure you submit the right paperwork will help you avoid any potential delays or challenges in being granted ILR. Ensure the success of Indefinite Leave to Remain applications with the help of expert guidance on the relevancy of documents.

Call IAS today at 0333 305 9375, or get in touch with us online to receive personalised support and professional assistance with your Indefinite Leave to Remain application.

Indefinite Leave to Remain Document Checklist

When you apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, you must give the Home Office the right documents. What supporting documents you need depends on your personal circumstances.

You may be required to include many of the following documents as part of your ILR application process:

• Your valid passport
• Proof that you can speak English well (if you had to take an English language test)
• Proof that you passed the Life in the UK test
• Two passport-sized photographs
• Details about any times you have been out of the UK
• A copy of your biometric residence permit (if you have one)
• Information about where you live in the UK. E.g., tenancy agreements
• Birth certificates for any children you have (if they are applying with you)
• A letter from a doctor if you have a long-term health problem
• Evidence that you live with your partner if you are applying with them (E.g., shared tenancy agreements)
• Information about your finances, such as bank statements
• Police registration certificate (if you were asked to register with the police)
• Documents that show changes in your circumstances.

As a general rule, the UK Home Office prefers original documents. You may be asked to submit digital scans of original documents while applying online.

If your original documents are not in English or Welsh, you must provide a full and certified translation along with the original items.

Knowledge of Language and Life In the UK Test

Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK is a condition that applicants must meet as part of obtaining ILR.

Meeting these requirements shows that you are committed to respecting the UK’s laws, values and traditions.

To apply for ILR, you need to show that you have good English language ability, equivalent to level B1, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

The test is available at various locations across the UK. Once you pass the test, you will receive a certificate or a unique reference number to include in your ILR application as proof of your English language ability.

However, you may be exempt from the English language test if you are from a majority English-speaking country or have graduated from an English-taught degree course at an approved academic institution.

Other exemptions include:

• those aged 65 or over
• those with long-term physical or mental conditions
• adult dependants aged between 18 and 64
• victims of domestic violence whose civil partner is a British citizen or has settlement status in the UK
• partners or spouses of deceased British citizens or those with settlement status in the UK.

To demonstrate your knowledge of life in the UK, you must pass the ‘Life in the UK’ test, which can also be taken at various UK test centres. You must score at least 75% on the test.

This means you must answer at least 18 of the 24 questions correctly to pass the test. Once you have passed the test, you will receive a pass notification letter, which you need to submit as part of your ILR application.

You may be exempt from this test if you are under 18 or over 65, have a long-term physical or mental condition, or fall under other exempt categories, individual circumstances such as victims of domestic violence or bereaved spouses or partners.

Valid Passport or Travel Document

To apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, you must show your identity and nationality by providing a valid passport or original travel document.

You must also prove it if you used a different passport to enter the UK. Don’t forget to provide all your valid passports while living in the UK.

If you do not have a passport or have not had one since you came to the UK, you can give another valid travel document.

Biometric Residence Permit

A Biometric Residence Permit is an identification card that many people get if they are allowed to stay in the UK for more than six months.

If you have one, you must give it when you apply for ILR. You also need to provide the Biometric Residence Permits of any dependents included in your Indefinite Leave to Remain application.

Once you submit your form, you can book an appointment at a UKVCAS center. There, you will give your biometric information and provide any supporting documents that you have not already submitted online.

Information About Where You Live in the UK

If you own or rent a property in the UK, you must provide documents showing this, such as your rental agreement or mortgage statement. If you’re renting a property, you should also include a letter from your landlord.

You should include a letter from family or friends stating that you are permitted to live there if you’re staying in housing owned or rented from them.

Also, provide documents showing your residencies, like council tax bills, utility bills, or a letter from your mortgage provider or a landlord in case you have changed your residence during your stay in the UK.

Details About Any Times You Have Been Out of the UK

You must have lived in the UK for a specific amount of time. This period is usually five years and must be a continuous residence. You can not leave the UK for more than 180 days in a year during this period unless there are exceptional circumstances.

If you have been outside the UK for more than 180 days during any 12-month period of your qualifying residency, you may not be eligible for ILR.

You must provide documentation to explain any periods of absence from the UK during your qualifying residency period. For instance, if you were on annual leave, you must provide a letter from your employer to confirm that.

They might ask you to write a letter explaining why and provide any evidence available if you were away. For instance, if your absence was due to compelling reasons, such as travel disruption caused by a natural disaster, you must provide travel documents from travel companies to support your case.

Calculating Your Continuous Period of Residence

Calculating your continuous period of residence can be difficult, but it’s important to meet the requirements set by the Home Office.

You must have spent a certain amount of time living in the UK to be eligible for ILR, meaning you must calculate the days you have spent outside the UK.

You must have held valid leave to enter or remain in the UK for the entire period. To calculate the qualifying period, you need to count backwards from the date that is most beneficial to you.

This could be the date of application, the date of the decision, or any date up to 28 days after the date of application.

It is vital to provide reasons and evidence for all your absences, such as a letter from your employer, work contract, official document related to a family event or emergency, medical record, and workshop invitation.

Some absences won’t affect your continuous period, such as the time between the issue of your entry clearance and entering the UK, and part-day absences, where only whole days (24 hours) spent outside the UK are counted. If you’re unsure about your eligibility, seeking professional advice is best.

Documents That Show Changes in Your Circumstances

Essentially, if your situation has changed significantly since you first came to the UK, you will need to provide information about those changes as part of your ILR application. This could include getting married or divorced, changing your name, or having children.

If you’ve switched to a different type of visa during your time in the UK, you may also need to provide proof of more than five years of residency.

Depending on the type of visa you switched from and to, you may need to accrue another five years in the UK on a valid visa or your new visa before you’re eligible for ILR.

If you have received any benefits during your stay in the UK, you will typically be required to provide documents as evidence, such as a Benefit award letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), bank statement, universal credit statement, or Tax Credit Award notice.

Additional Document Checklist

Depending on your current visa type and other factors, you may need to provide additional required documents when applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain status.

For instance, if you are applying after holding a Global Talent Visa or a Skilled Worker visa, you will need to provide employment details, while if you have a UK Ancestry visa, you will need to submit your grandparents’ birth and/or marriage certificates as proof of nationality.

If you are on a Spouse Visa, you will need to show evidence of living together as one of the additional documents required. Otherwise, a marriage certificate is enough.

Eligibility for an Indefinite Leave to Remain Application for Children

If a child wishes to stay in the UK for an indefinite period, there are several ways to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

ILR Eligibility Criteria for a Child With a Settled Parent in the UK

The first way is if a child has a parent who has settled in the UK. A parent with settled status can bring their child, who is not currently in the UK, to settle here if the parent meets one of the requirements, such as:

• both parents are present and settled in the UK
• one parent is present and settled in the UK, and the other parent is deceased
• one parent has sole responsibility for the upbringing of the child.

ILR Eligibility Criteria for a Child Visa Holder With a British Parent or a Settled Parent in the UK

A child may be able to apply for ILR if they hold a child visa and have a parent who is a British citizen or is settled in the UK.

To make a successful application for ILR as a child visa holder, the settled or British parent must be the child’s biological parent, adoptive parent, or step-parent (if their biological parent has died), and the child visa holders must:

• have permission to remain in the UK as a dependant of their parent
• be living with their parent/s
• be financially supported by their parent/s without recourse to public funds
• have adequate accommodation
• not be married or in a civil partnership
• not be leading an independent life and
• not have formed an independent family unit

Limitations for a Child to Apply for ILR

To apply for ILR, the child must have no unspent criminal convictions or represent a risk to the British public

Can a Child Apply for UK Citizenship Without Having ILR?

A child may, instead of getting ILR, become a citizen right away by applying if:

• they were born in the UK to parents who were not British but later gained British citizenship or settled in the UK
• they were born outside the UK and had a British parent
• they are citizens of a Commonwealth country and have a parent who lived in the UK before 1973

How Can IAS Help?

If you are applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, it is crucial to provide the correct documentation. To ensure that you have a comprehensive submission and avoid issues or delays, it is recommended to seek professional advice.

At IAS, we understand the importance of obtaining ILR for your future immigration status in the UK. Our team of experienced legal professionals can help you with your Indefinite Leave to Remain document checklist.

We will guide you through the process, helping you to understand the requirements and providing advice on the best course of action.

With IAS on your side, you can rest assured that your application will be handled efficiently and professionally, increasing your chances of success.

Don’t take any chances when it comes to your future in the UK. Contact us today for expert advice and support with your ILR application.

To learn more about how we can help you with Indefinite Leave to Remain, please contact us at 0333 305 9375 or through our website, online to schedule a consultation today.