What does having indefinite leave to remain mean?

Unlike many visa categories that restrict access to public funds, UK ILR allows you to claim a variety of benefits to support your life in the UK, including:

• Universal Credit
• Personal Independence Payment
• Housing assistance from the local authority
• Attendance Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Child Benefit
• Council Tax Reduction
• Domestic Rate Relief (in Northern Ireland)
• Disability Living Allowance
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Social Fund Payments
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit
• State Pension Credit

Additionally, you can access free NHS healthcare and are no longer required to pay the annual immigration health surcharge.

Route to British Citizenship through ILR

Holding ILR status is the first step towards British citizenship, fulfilling the continuous residence requirement. To qualify for British citizenship, you must:

• Have lived in the UK for at least 5 years, with no more than 450 (270 if your spouse/partner is a British citizen) days spent outside the UK.
• Have held ILR status for at least 12 months (not applicable if your spouse/partner is a British citizen).
• Pass the Life in the UK test.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the English language.
• Comply with UK immigration rules and the Good Character requirement.

To apply for ILR, you’ll need to complete one of two main forms: Form Set (O) or Form Set (M).

• Form Set (M): For partners or parents of children who are already settled in the UK.
• Form Set (O): For all other ILR applications, including those on Investor, Global Talent, Long-term Worker, Skilled Worker, PBS dependants, and UK Ancestry visas.

Both forms require supporting documentation.