What is Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), often referred to as settlement, grants individuals the ability to live, work, and study in the UK without any time constraints. Securing ILR means you can stay in the UK permanently, with the opportunity to apply for British citizenship. Additionally, it allows eligibility for public benefits. If you are a Turkish Worker or Businessperson, your family members, including your partner and children, can also apply for ILR if they meet the necessary eligibility criteria.
Fees and Processing Time for ILR Applications
- Applying for ILR incurs a fee of £2,885 per applicant, which includes biometric data collection such as fingerprints and photographs. If your partner needs to extend their visa, the fee is £1,048, along with the healthcare surcharge. Typically, a decision on your application will be made within six months. However, this timeframe may be extended if further document verification, an interview, or consideration of complex personal circumstances like a criminal record is required.
- It is important not to travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man during the application process, as this will result in the withdrawal of your application.
What Are the Eligibility Criteria for ILR for Turkish Businessperson?
- To be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, you must fulfil several requirements. Proficiency in the English language and passing the Life in the UK test are essential. Additionally, you must have lived and worked in the UK for the past five years without relying on public funds and should not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period during these five years. If you are on a Turkish Businessperson visa, you must continue to actively operate your business.
Documents required for ILR Application
- When applying for ILR, you need to provide a current passport or another valid travel identification. If your current passport does not demonstrate your legal residency in the UK for the past five years, you must provide previous passports as evidence. Additionally, you need to present the unique reference code proving you passed the English language requirement.
Specific Requirements for Turkish Businesspersons
- As a Turkish Businessperson applying for ILR, you must show that you are actively managing a business. This can be evidenced through invoices, business bank statements, proof of National Insurance contributions if applicable, advertising materials, and documentation of renting or owning business premises.
