Can I immigrate to UK?

To become a permanent resident in the UK you have to be a resident of the UK for a specific period of time. This time period is different for different classes of people. Here’s a list that tells you about it:

Here are the criteria for eligibility to apply for an ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain). ILR is the equivalent of permanent residency in the UK. Eligibility for an ILR is different for applicants who are of the child & young adult category and the adult category.

Criteria for children and young adults

If you were born in the UK and have resided here for 7 years continuously since your birth, you are eligible to apply for an ILR based on your private life.

Otherwise, you are eligible to apply for an ILR on the basis of your private life all of the following are true about you:

• You were first granted a visa based on your private life when your age was between 18 and 24
• You reached the UK as a child
• You have resided in the UK for 5 years continuously with a visa

You are allowed to include the time you have spent in the UK holding any other visas which lead to ILR. The visa you had based on your private life must be for at least a year on the day you file an application.

Criteria for adults

To apply for ILR in order to settle as an adult in the UK, you must:

• be aged over 18
• have been given a visa based on your private life in the UK
• have resided continuously in the UK for 10 years with a visa

You are allowed to include the time you have spent in the UK holding any other visas which lead to ILR. The visa you had based on your private life must be for at least a year on the day you file an application.

Knowledge of language and life in the UK

If you are an applicant aged between 18 and 64 you have to:

• pass the Life in the UK Test

meet the English language requirements (at least level B1 in listening and speaking or a degree taught/researched in English)