Leave to Remain | UKVI (2024)

Leave to Remain is how people without UK citizenship are able to stay legally in the UK for an assigned period of time. There are a few different types of Leave to Remain and different routes available depending on a person's individual circ*mstances.

Read more to learn about the different types of Leave to Remain and how to apply.

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What is Leave to Remain?

Leave to Remain is what non-UK citizens have to get in order to gain permission to stay in the UK for a limited period of time. There are a number of different types of visas that grant Leave to Remain depending on your circ*mstances ranging from family visas,work visas to study visas.

Once you have received Leave to Remain you have until your visa expiry date to stay in the UK. If you would like to stay beyond your expiry date you can apply for Further Leave to Remain and extend your visa.

Alternatively, once you have stayed in the UK for your allowed amount of time you may be eligible to settle in the UK permanently, which you can do by applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Indefinite Leave to Remain will allow you to live in the UK without any restrictions and is the first step towards naturalisation and full citizenship.

What are the different types of Leave to Remain?

The type of Leave to Remain you need will depend on whether you already have a visa and how long you want to stay in the UK for. The different types of Leave to Remain are outlined below.

Limited Leave to Remain

Limited Leave to Remain refers to the status of those who have an approved UK visa. This means you’re approved to enter the UK and remain here until your visa expires, as long as you meet the conditions of your visa during this time (these conditions vary depending on the type of visa). For information about the specific conditions required for your visa, it’s always best to check the official guidance on the UK Government website.

Further Leave to Remain

Further Leave to Remain refers to someone who has applied to extend their stay in the UK, for example by extending their visa or switching to a different visa category. This must be done before the expiry date of your current permission to stay.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement)

Indefinite Leave to Remain, also called ‘settlement*’, refers to those who have permanent lawful status to settle in the UK.

If you have Indefinite Leave to Remain you’ll generally have the same rights as a UK citizen and no longer be subject to immigration control. You’ll have the right to live, work, and study in the UK as well as leave and enter the UK as you please. Indefinite Leave to Remain will not expire unless you live outside of the UK for more than two consecutive years.

Indefinite Leave to Remain is often used as a route to British Citizenship. If you have Indefinite Leave to Remain for a defined period of time it can be used to apply for British Citizenship by naturalisation, as long as you meet the other requirements.

*If you receive a settlement status through Indefinite Leave to Remain, it’s different to the EU settlement scheme for EEA nationals in the UK.

How can I get Indefinite Leave to Remain?

The specific requirements can vary depending on the specific circ*mstances of each applicant, including the type of visa they already hold. In order to be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain you:

• Must have lived in the UK for a qualifying period of time (typically five years)
• Must have demonstrated your knowledge of the English language with B1 (GESE Grade 5) SELT qualification as set out by the Common European Framework of Languages (CEFR)
• Must have passed a Life in the UK test, which tests your understanding of British culture, history and traditions
• Must not have breached any immigration laws during your stay in the UK
• Must not have a criminal record
• Must not have left the UK for a period of time exceeding 180 days in a 12 month period