How to replace indefinite leave to remain?

You replace an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) document, not the status itself, by applying for a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or updating to a digital eVisa via GOV.UK if your physical card is lost, stolen, damaged, or expired, or to transfer your status to a new passport. You'll use the No Time Limit (NTL) application for legacy documents or the BRP replacement service for newer ones, proving your existing ILR status to get an updated card or digital record.

What replaces indefinite leave to remain?

If you only have a paper document that shows you have indefinite leave, you'll need to get an eVisa to prove your rights. To get an eVisa, it's best to apply to replace your paper immigration document with an eVisa on GOV.UK. You'll set up a UKVI account as part of the process.

What is the new rule for indefinite leave to remain?

Increasing the standard qualifying period for permanent residence (also known as indefinite leave to remain or settlement) from five to ten years, with some people qualifying sooner based on criteria to be decided following public consultation.

How do I transfer my indefinite leave to remain?

If you have your Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in a legacy document, in a passport that is valid, lost, stolen, or expired, or have no proof of your indefinite leave status or if you have a new passport and you wish to have your Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) status transferred to Biometric Resident Permit, you ...

How do I renew my indefinite leave to remain card?

How to renew Indefinite Leave to Remain Card. The document that may need to be renewed if you hold ILR is the Biometric Residence Permit. If you have ILR and your BRP is due to expire shortly, you can apply to renew the BRP online using the government website and their BRP replacement service.

UK Immigration Update 2025: ILR Changing from 5 Years to 10 Years? Indefinite Leave to Remain

What to do if your indefinite leave to remain expires?

ILR does not typically expire, but there are circumstances where it can. In such cases, affected individuals must renew their Biometric Residence Cards or Visas in order to “renew” their Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK.

Do you lose indefinite leave to remain?

You still have your indefinite leave to remain if you were away for less than 2 years. You can re-enter the UK as long as you: had indefinite leave to remain in the UK when you last left. did not receive financial support from the Home Office to leave the UK.

What documents are needed for change of status?

Required Documentation

• Both originals of Form I-566, Interagency Record of Request – Change to/from A, G, or NATO Status, signed by the Office of Foreign Missions;
• Form I-539, Application to Change Nonimmigrant Status;
• Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record, which you received when you entered the United States;

How long can I stay outside of the UK with indefinite leave to remain?

The 'continuous residence' limit on absences from the UK changed on 11 April 2024: The absences limit for periods spent in the UK after 11 April 2024 is the same requirement as the standard ILR route - no more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12 month period.

How long is indefinite leave valid?

Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) grants a person the right to live, work and study in the UK without being subject to immigration controls. Unlike visas, ILR has no expiry date, but you must be mindful of travel restrictions to maintain your status.

What comes after indefinite leave to remain?

You can apply for citizenship if you've lived in the UK for 5 years and have had one of the following for 12 months: indefinite leave to remain in the UK. 'settled status' (also known as 'indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme')

What is the difference between permanent residence and indefinite leave to remain?

Unlike PR, ILR is not a result of European regulation and is obtained through UK national immigration laws. Who does it apply to? Non-EEA nationals that have stayed in the UK for at least 5 years under a permitted visa route.

What are the new rules for indefinite leave to remain in 2025?

The new model would introduce:

• A baseline qualifying residence period for settlement of ten years for most applicants. ...
• For all applicants, there will be new additional criteria beyond residency such as good conduct, economic contribution and integration.

What is the 5 year rule in the UK?

You must have lived in the UK for 5 years before you can apply for indefinite leave to remain. There are rules for what counts towards the 5 years if you have: spent time outside the UK.

How do I change my indefinite leave to remain to biometric card?

How to Apply to Transfer an ILR to a BRP. Applications for NTL must be made in the UK on the NTL application form and require a fee. The application form must be completed online, and you will need to have your biometrics taken (fingerprints and photo).

How long does it take for USCIS to approve a change of status?

USCIS Change of Status (COS) processing times vary widely by form and specific situation, often ranging from several months to over a year (e.g., 6-19 months or more for F-1 status), though some specific categories might be faster, and you can check the official USCIS website for current estimates for your specific form (like I-539 for F-1/M-1). Factors like workload, application completeness, and specific visa type heavily influence timelines, so always use your receipt number on the USCIS Case Status page for real-time updates. 

Can I file a change of status online?

Submit your Form I-539 application for an extension or change of status by mail or you can file online before the expiration date as shown on the admission stamp in your travel document on your Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record.

How do I renew my indefinite leave to remain?

To renew a UK residence permit, you must request a Returning Resident Visa. It enables you to settle in the UK after an absence of more than two years and restore your ILR.

Can you be deported if you have indefinite leave to remain?

It is possible to be deported even if you hold ILR status. The Home Office reserves the right to deport anyone who does not serve the best interest of the UK, and can revoke an ILR status. The Home Office will only revoke a status if they have sufficient and justified reasoning.

How long does indefinite leave to remain expire?

Indefinite Leave to Remain does not have an official expiry date. However, it can be lost if you are outside the UK for more than two continuous years. What happens if I leave the UK for over two years? If you are absent from the UK for more than two years, your ILR status may no longer be valid.

Can I get a British passport with indefinite leave to remain?

If you have indefinite leave to remain ( ILR )

You can usually apply for ILR after you've lived in the UK for 5 years. To apply for citizenship with ILR you must usually have lived in the UK for 12 months after getting it.

How long does a waiver take to get approved?

Waiver processing times vary drastically by type, from weeks for some J-1 waivers (like No Objection Statements) to over a year for complex immigration waivers like the I-601A, which averaged over three years in recent years, with factors like application completeness, USCIS backlogs, and specific case complexity causing delays. You must check the official USCIS processing times website or Department of State website for your specific form, as times constantly change.