Indefinite Leave to Remain UK (ILR)

Five-Year Route to ILR

If you are on a work or business visa, you must have spent at least 5 years on it before you can apply for ILR.

Ten-Year route to ILR

Filipino citizens who have lived in the UK for 10 consecutive years. Before you apply for ILR on this route, you must ensure that you were a legal resident in the UK throughout those 10 years.

Accelerated Route to ILR

You may be able to apply for ILR earlier than 5 years, depending on your situation. If you are on the Innovator Founder, Global Talent or Family (spouse) visa, you may be eligible to apply for the ILR between 2 to 3 years.

Pass Life in the UK Test

One criterion you must meet when applying for ILR in the UK is passing the Life in the UK test. The test seeks to ascertain how much you know about British culture, law, food, history, politics and daily living. You’ll need to register for the test with £50  at least 3 days before your intended test date. The test can be booked on the Home Office website.

You’ll need to have scored at least 75% to pass the test. You can retake the test as often as possible until you get the desired score. Filipino citizens under 18 or older than 64 are exempt from this test. You can also be exempt from the test if you can prove that you have a health condition that can prevent you from passing the test.

English Language Skills

Filipino citizens applying for the ILR must prove they can read, write and understand the English Language. You can prove you meet this requirement in many ways. You can show that:

• You passed a Secure English Language Test administered by a provider approved by the Home Office, such as Pearson, IELTS SELT Consortium, Trinity College London, or LanguageCert. Your result must not be older than 2 years at the time of your application.
• You have a qualification (degree level) from a UK school.
• You studied in a country regarded as English-speaking by the Home Office.
• You were taught in English while studying in the Philippines.

If you fall into the last two, you’ll need Ecctis to evaluate your qualification to ensure it is on the same level as a UK degree. Again, if you’re younger than 18 or older than 64, you are exempt from this test. If your health condition can prevent you from passing this test, you are also exempt. This applies also if your British partner died or you are a victim of domestic abuse.

Overview

To apply for the ILR, you must prove you have been resident in the UK for 5 consecutive years before applying for settlement. You also need to prove that you were in the UK exactly 5 years before the date you submitted your application. You must not also have spent more than 90 days per year outside of the UK during this period.

Good Character

Filipino citizens who have committed an offence in the UK, whether criminal or otherwise, may find it challenging to apply for ILR. One of the requirements for applying for settlement in the UK is proving that you are a law-abiding citizen and of good character.

Accommodation 

You must show that you legally reside in the UK. This could be a house you purchased or built or a house or apartment you rented. You’ll need to present a property deed, lease, or rental contract.

Salary

To apply for settlement, you must show you earn the minimum salary requirement for your occupation. If you are applying through the family route, you or your family member who is a UK citizen or settled person must show savings of at least £29,000.

Step 1: Assess Eligibility

The first step in every application process is to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements. If you are unsure of this, contact our immigration consultants by calling 0333 305 9375 or messaging online.

Step 2: Prepare Supporting Documents

The next step is to ensure you have every document listed above. They prove you meet the eligibility criteria.

Step 3: Apply Online

Your ILR application is done online at the Home Office website. You’ll need to pick the appropriate form for your category. Filipino citizens applying for ILR based on a relationship with a UK citizen or permanent resident will fill out Form Set (O). Others will need to complete Form Set (M). During the online application, you will be required to scan and upload your documents on the application portal.

Step 4: Pay the Application Fee

While filling out the application form online, you’ll be prompted to pay the fee. If you do not pay this fee and attach the receipt of payment, your ILR application will not be processed.

Step 5: Biometric Appointment

Once you finish your online application, you must book an appointment with the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Centre (UKVAS).

Step 6: Attend the Appointment

Go for your appointment with your passport and supporting documents if you had difficulty uploading them while applying online. The officers there will scan and upload them for you. They’ll also collect your fingerprints, photo, and passport.

Step 7: Wait for a Decision

After your biometric appointment, you can wait for the Home Office to decide on your application. However, you are not allowed to travel out of the UK until your application is reviewed. If you leave the country without a decision from the Home Office, your application will automatically be canceled.

ILR UK Fees

• £3,029 as application fee per person applying.

Processing Time 

The Home Office takes 6 months to process your application. You can get a decision faster if you pay £500 extra for priority service. You’ll get a decision in 5 working days. If you pay an extra £1000 for super priority service, you’ll get a decision in 2 working days.