Many people who visit or stay in UK for temporary period do not know that they can apply for an ILR i.e. indefinite leave to remain. According to ILR, there is no time limit defined for individuals to stay in UK. There are many advantages which an individual will get for holding an indefinite leave to remain in UK. And some of the benefits are that the person holding an ILR can freely work in UK, whether under any employer or having his/her own business. The individual is also allowed to freely study in UK. Apart from all this another merits of holding an ILR is that the individual is allowed to access the services of National Health, but there are also some exceptions to the same.
Biometric Details Important
Also you will have to give your biometric details and this detail shall be valid for period of 10 years after which it will need to be updated. It is important that 3 months before the biometrics data expires, you should update the documents supporting the same. If you have stayed in UK for more than 5 years then you can apply for an ILR. And later, you can also apply for a British Nationality, if you intend to permanently stay in UK.
Criterion for Applying for ILR
You can also apply for a long residence ILR & check the eligibility criteria for the same online. One of the benefits of ILR for foreigners is that they can work and live in UK without any kind of restrictions, whether they are studying or on job. One of the major criterions for applying for an ILR is that you should have completed your 5 years of stay in the UK. And incase, if you left the country for some time, then you should also have a detailed record of the absence from the country, so that when you are making an application for ILR, you can provide the information.
Test to Apply for ILR -
And another important criterion for applying for an ILR is that you should pass the test of language. You should be well-versed in English language. Apart from that there is also a 45 minute test of your knowledge regarding the life of UK. It is a form of test in which they will check whether you are aware about the lifestyle of UK and the norms etc. After 1 years of getting the ILR, you can apply for the citizenship.