How Can I Get PR in the UK?
For many overseas citizens who dream of calling the UK home, getting permanent residence (PR) in the UK is a huge step towards becoming a British citizen. There are several ways to apply for permanent settlement in the UK, including through an immediate family member living in the UK, a work visa, a business, or as an EU national. In this article, we will explain who is eligible for PR in the UK, how to apply for PR, and the benefits of PR.
UK PR eligibility — Who is eligible for a PR application?
PR in the UK as a Family Member of a Settled Person or UK Citizen
If you have a spouse, partner, parent, child, or adult dependent relative who is permanently settled in the UK, you may be eligible for PR. This will depend on your relationship with your UK-based family member, the type of visa you currently hold, and a range of other factors. The following explains the requirements for applying as a partner or spouse with a family visa or as a dependent of a person with a work visa.
Applying as a partner with a family visa – For those who currently hold a family visa as a partner or spouse, it may be possible to apply for PR if you have lived in the UK continuously for the required period (i.e. 2 or 5 years). This will depend on the route stated on your ‘leave to remain’ letter from the Home Office. To qualify, you must:
- Have lived together since you last renewed your visa and intend to continue your relationship after you apply
- Have a combined income of at least £29,000 a year.
- Have passed the Knowledge of Life in the UK test and
- Meet the English language requirements (at least level B1 in speaking and listening or a degree taught or researched in English).
Applying as a partner as a dependent of a work visa holder – You may be eligible for PR as a dependent on your partner’s work visa. If your partner holds either a dependant on a UK Ancestry or a Representative of an Overseas Business visa, there is no time in the UK requirement. Dependants of those on a different type of work visa (e.g. a Skilled Worker visa) must have been continuously resident in the UK for at least 5 years. Continuous residence means that you have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period.
If you are considering PR as a parent, child, or adult dependant relative, speak to a member of our immigration law team for full details of the eligibility requirements.
Get a UK PR via a work visa
Several work visas can lead to PR in the UK. These include the Skilled Worker visa, the Global Talent visa, and the Health and Care Worker visa. To qualify for PR as a work visa holder, you must:
- Have lived and worked in the UK for at least 5 years on a qualifying work visa (this may be 3 years if you have a Global Talent visa, depending on your field of work)
- Meet the continuous residence requirement. This includes any time spent in the UK on one of the following visa types:
- Tier 1 visa – except Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) Skilled Worker or Tier 2 (General) Scale-up WorkerT2 Minister of Religion or Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) International Sportsperson, T2 Sportsperson or Tier 2 (Sportsperson) Innovator Founder Global Talent
- Representative of an Overseas Business
- Meet the salary requirements (e.g. as a Skilled Worker visa holder, you must have a salary of at least £25,600 per year, £10.10 per hour, or the ‘going rate’ for the type of work you’ll be doing).
Get UK permanent residence via Your Business
For entrepreneurs and business owners, the Innovator Founder visa offers a pathway to PR. This visa is designed for those with an innovative business idea and provides a fast track to permanent residency after just three years, provided certain criteria are met. Specifically, you must have:
- Resided in the UK for at least 3 years on an Innovator Founder or Innovator visa (you cannot include time spent in the UK using any other visa type)
- A new endorsement showing that you have met the requirements for growing your business and
- Not spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months.
UK PR status for EU nationals
EU nationals who lived in the UK before the end of the Brexit transition period at the end of 2020 can apply for ‘settled status’ under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). This scheme allows EU citizens and their families to obtain PR after five years of continuous residence in the UK. EU nationals who started living in the UK before the cut-off of 31st December 2020 but have been here for less than 5 years can apply for ‘pre-settled status’, allowing them to remain until they are eligible for full settled status.
How to apply for UK Permanent Residence
Applying for UK PR involves several steps, as explained below:
- Check your eligibility – Before applying for PR, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for your specific category. It is important not to apply too early as you risk your application being refused.
- Gather any evidence required to support your application – Gather all necessary documents, including proof of identity, continuous residence, English language test pass certificate, Life in the UK test pass certificate, and any additional requirements specific to your visa category.
- Prepare and submit your application – Complete the online application form and pay the application fee.
- Biometric appointment – Book and attend an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo) and
- Wait for a Decision – Wait for a decision from the Home Office.
You can apply for PR 28 days before you are eligible. In most cases, you can include your partner and children on the same PR application form as long as they meet the eligibility requirements.
UK Permanent Residence Rules You Should Meet
Continuous residence
To qualify for PR, you must meet the continuous residence rule. This generally means you must have lived in the UK for a continuous period of five years, with no absences exceeding 180 days in any 12-month period. If you are unsure if you meet the continuous residence rule, please speak to a member of our team. We will help you to gather the information necessary to correctly calculate your length of continuous residence in the UK.
Life in the UK test
Applicants for UK PR aged between 18 and 65 also need to pass the Life in the UK test. This is a test provided by approved test providers to assess whether applicants have sufficient knowledge of the UK and British culture.
Good Character
Applicants must demonstrate good character, which includes having no serious criminal convictions and adhering to UK laws and regulations.
Documents required
You will need to provide various documents to support your PR application. These typically include:
- Passport or travel document
- Proof of residence (e.g., utility bills, tenancy agreements)
- Proof of employment or business activity (e.g., payslips, business accounts)
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate (if applying as a family member)
- Evidence of continuous residence in the UK (e.g. a list of entry and exit dates from the UK Border Force) and
- Evidence of business endorsement
What is the processing time and cost of UK PR?
The processing time for a UK PR application typically ranges from six to twelve months, depending on the complexity of the case and the visa category. The cost of UK PR is made up of the application fee plus any legal fees if professional guidance is sought. The current PR application fee is £2885.
What are the benefits of getting UK PR?
Obtaining PR in the UK provides considerable advantages, including:
- No need to apply for another visa – saving you time and money
- Stability and security – you can live and work in the UK without time restrictions.
- Access to public services – PR holders have access to the National Health Service (NHS) and other public services such as benefits. This means you will no longer need to pay the costly immigration healthcare surcharge.
- Education – You can study at UK universities while only paying domestic tuition fees.
- Pathway to British citizenship – PR holders can apply for British citizenship after a further 12 months.
Other ways to get PR in the UK
Apart from the primary routes mentioned, there are other ways to achieve PR in the UK; these include the following:
- Ancestry Visa – For Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born grandparent.
- Long Residence – After 10 years of continuous lawful residence in the UK.
- Refugee or humanitarian protection or Discretionary Leave
- Returning to the UK, having previously had indefinite leave to remain
- Serving in the armed forces
How can I get Permanent Residency in the UK after my studies?
If you are an international student in the UK, you can transition to PR by securing a graduate visa, which will allow you to stay in the UK for two years (three years for PhD graduates) after completing your studies. Once you have found suitable skilled work with a sponsor licence holder, you can switch to a Skilled Worker visa or another eligible work visa during your Graduate visa period. Once you have lived in the UK on an eligible visa for five years, you can then apply for PR. There are other ways to secure PR after your studies, including through the family visa route.
Self-Sponsorship route UK
Another increasingly popular route to PR in the UK is self-sponsorship, which allows overseas nationals to set up a business in the UK and sponsor themselves. This avoids the need to apply for jobs and work for an employer. This route is particularly popular with self-employed consultants (e.g. IT consultants) who wish to work for themselves in the UK. Learn more about the Self-Sponsorship Visa Route and gain deeper insights by watching this detailed video.
Self-sponsorship entails:
- Setting up a business in the UK (i.e. finding a business address, opening a bank account, and registering with Companies House and HMRC).
- Applying for a sponsor licence work visa
- Issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship
- Applying for a Skilled Worker visa
Once on a Skilled Worker visa, holders can apply for PR after five years of continuous residence in the UK. Still not convinced? Watch this engaging video where Yash debunks the myths surrounding the Self-Sponsorship Visa Route.
For more details on the self-sponsorship route in the UK, please contact a member of our specialist business immigration team, who will be glad to assist you .
Final words
At AY&J, we understand more than most that securing permanent residence in the UK is a significant milestone for many overseas nationals. Whether through family connections, employment, business, or as an EU national, understanding the eligibility requirements and application process for UK PR is crucial. With the right preparation and guidance, you can successfully navigate the journey towards UK PR, enjoying the benefits and opportunities that come with it.
Still confused about what visa route to take or unable to find a visa route? Get a free assessment with one of our experts at AY&J Solicitors.
