Tips for a smooth Indefinite Leave to Remain application

When you receive your first UK visa or permit, your Indefinite Leave to Remain application may seem far in the future. However, the preparation for your Indefinite Leave to Remain should start from your first arrival in the UK.

The consultants at Breytenbachs Immigration have compiled some tips help you ensure a smooth Indefinite Leave to Remain application.

Tips for a smooth Indefinite Leave to Remain application

Keep track of all your overseas travels. It is useful to maintain a travel list throughout your time in the UK. This will also help to ensure that you do not exceed the travel restrictions. Currently, there is a limit of no more than 180 days absence in any 12-month rolling period. This will save you from having to compile a historic list from the stamps in your passport. As we all know, this can be time-consuming and tricky, especially if you travel frequently!

If you have a partner attached to your application, it will be best to ensure that you are both receiving multiple items of correspondence in your names to you. Also, ensure that it is sent to your home address and that you retain these items of correspondence. Keeping a record of this will enable you to provide evidence of your continued cohabitation in the UK. The same applies if your application is based on your relationship to a British national.

If you are a Tier 2 migrant and you intend to change to a new sponsor, then it is best to ensure you keep your P45 confirming your employment with your previous sponsor. It will also be wise to keep evidence of your annual leave allowance, and business trips. This can be proven by, e.g., your contract of employment.

If you are an Ancestral Visa holder, you must keep in mind that you have to undertake employment during the course of the 5 years in order to meet the requirements for ILR. Alternatively, you have to show that you been genuinely seeking work.

It is essential that you lodge your application for Indefinite Leave to Remain prior to your current visa expiring. So, please get in touch with your Breytenbachs consultant well in advance!

You can read more about Indefinite Leave to Remain here. If you have any specific questions or want to proceed with your ILR application, contact Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants.