Only after a period of time spent in the UK, such as an Indefinite Leave to Remain, is one considered capable of living and working in the country with no time restraint. ILR is still only the first step to full rights and benefits, such as the right to vote and to receive a British passport. Most had the ultimate goal, therefore, of becoming "officially" British citizens. This book outlines everything one needs to know to move from ILR to becoming a British citizen, the legal requirements, and the UK immigration procedures in order to work as a citizen.
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What Is Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?
Indefinite Leave to Remain, or ILR, as it is also referred to, is a form of permanent residence on the territory of the UK. It permits non-UK nationals to live there without being under immigration control. ILR allows holders to live, work, and study anywhere they please and receive other benefits, such as free public healthcare. However, ILR is not regarded as a state of full citizenship, which means, for example, that its holder has no right to vote in general elections or have a British passport.
To many, ILR is a stepping stone to a British citizenship application. After holding ILR for 12 months, an applicant may begin applying for British citizenship if he meets the eligibility requirements.
Eligibility Requirements for British Citizenship after ILR
There are various requirements that need to be met for one to transition from ILR to British citizenship application:
Residency Requirement: This requirement requires that you must have had ILR for at least 12 months except when marrying someone who is a British citizen; therefore, you can apply immediately upon being granted indefinite leave to remain. Besides, you must also have lived in the UK for five years before you can apply for citizenship. You must not have been outside the UK for more than 450 days during the last five years or for more than 90 days outside the UK in the 12 months before your application.
Good Character: Applicants seeking British citizenship must prove themselves to be of "good character." All that means is that you should not have a criminal record, you should not have breached immigration law, and you should not have any outstanding financial matters like tax. The Home Office will then carefully search your history, so make sure your records are clean.
Life in the UK Test: The other requirement is the application for British citizenship by passing the Life in the UK Test. The test applied here on your knowledge would relate to British history, culture, and legal structures. It's a multiple-choice test, however, and requires preparation if you're going to pass it well.
English Language Requirement: Applicants should have a high level of proficiency in English. Many applicants will need to obtain proof of their ability to use English by passing a specified test at B1 level or higher. Exemptions apply for applicants from majority English-speaking countries or for applicants holding a degree taught in English.
Required Documentation for British Citizenship
The British citizenship application requires producing a set of significant documents to go with your application. These are;
A valid passport or national identity
Proof that one has ILR status, such as a Biometric Residence Permit
Proof that you have been in the UK for the last five years. You must not have gone out of the country for over ninety days in a year
Two referees who are of good repute in the community and can attest to who you are.
Proof of passing the Life in the UK Test and meeting the English language requirements
The Application Process
Once you have fulfilled all the requirements, you can apply for British citizenship using Form AN. This form is accessed through an online system, and exhaustive details on personal history, residency, and character will be sought.
Once the form is submitted, you will have to wait until you attend a biometric appointment to get your fingerprints and photographs taken. Once all that is done, it should take at least six months for them to view it in the Home Office.
Following a successful application, you are invited to a citizenship ceremony, where you make a formal oath of allegiance to the United Kingdom and are granted the certificate of naturalisation. It is, therefore, the final stage before becoming a British citizen.
Watch this video on unlocking the path to British citizenship.
Benefits of British Citizenship
Besides all the advantages that come with ILR, British citizenship gives you a number of important rights. These include:
Right to Vote: You get the right to vote in the UK, including general elections.
British Passport: A British passport is available, which gives visa-free access to many countries and helps people get into the UK.
Security and Stability: Unlike ILR, which becomes vulnerable to loss if one has spent more than two years out of the UK, British citizenship is secured. This means that you are in much greater security and at ease within your status in the country.
Get Application Guidance
Applying for British citizenship after having lived in the country with Indefinite Leave to Remain is an important process that grants the full rights and privileges of a member of society in the UK. To increase one's chances of getting his or her application for British citizenship approved, he or she must have accomplished the necessary residency, meet the standards for character, and show proof of the language required by the nation. With the excellent services provided by A Y & J Solicitors, professional help will surely come in handy in this transition process.