UK Permanent Residency Solicitors

Routes To Obtaining Permanent Residency in the UK

The most common route to obtaining permanent residency in the UK is through the five-year continuous residence. This means that you must have continuously lived in the UK for at least five years and met all the requirements during this time. In some cases, this period may be shortened to three years or even two years for certain categories such as spouses of British citizens, individuals with exceptional talent, or investors.

Another route is through the UK Ancestry visa, which is available to Commonwealth citizens who have a grandparent born in the UK. This visa allows you to live and work in the UK for five years, after which you can apply for permanent residency.

There are also other routes such as the Tier 1 (Investor) visa, Tier 2 (General) work visa, and the Innovator or Start-up visa. Each of these routes has specific requirements and may lead to different paths towards obtaining permanent residency in the UK.

Our UK permanent residence solicitors will guide you through these requirements, which include:

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Demonstrating knowledge of life in the UK by passing the "Life in the UK" test.

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Ensuring that your dependents meet eligibility requirements, including age and residency conditions.

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Providing evidence of consistent financial self-sufficiency without recourse to public funds during the qualifying period.

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Maintaining a clear immigration record, ensuring no breaches of immigration laws or unauthorized overstays.

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Submitting accurate and comprehensive documents to verify absence from the UK does not exceed allowances for your visa type.

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Proving good character, which may involve a clean criminal record and positive references if required.

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Keeping up with changes in immigration laws to ensure your plans align with evolving UK residency policies.

We will fast-track your application and advise you on all aspects of the process to improve your chances of success.

Applying for Permanent Residence as a Family Member of a UK Citizen

For family members of UK citizens, achieving permanent residence means building a stronger foundation for your family while maintaining your connection to the country you now call home.

This route is available for spouses, unmarried partners, and children of UK citizens and entails:

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Demonstrating a genuine relationship with your UK citizen family member.

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Providing proof that you have resided together in the UK for 2-5 years, except for children, adult dependent relatives, and victims of domestic violence.

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Proving that your UK citizen family member is exercising their EU treaty rights or British citizens, depending on the date they acquired their citizenship.

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Proving that your UK citizen family member is exercising their EU treaty rights or British citizens, depending on the date they acquired their citizenship.

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Passing the Life in the UK test and meeting English language proficiency standards.

Exemptions apply in certain cases, such as if you have a disability or are over the age of 65.

Permanent Residency in the UK Through a Work Visa

If you currently hold a work visa in the UK, you may have the opportunity to apply for permanent residency after living and working in the country for a certain period of time. This can be achieved through various routes such as:
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Global Talent Visa
This route is available for highly skilled individuals in the fields of science, humanities, engineering, medicine, digital technology or arts and culture. If you hold this visa for three years, you may be able to apply for permanent residency.
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Tenacity
We approach every case with tenacity and determination. We are relentless in our pursuit of the best outcomes for our clients, leaving no stone unturned. We are committed to advocating for their rights and interests with unwavering dedication, even in the face of challenges.
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Exceptional Services
We pride ourselves on the quality of our representation and our commitment to going the extra mile for our clients. We understand that each case is unique and requires personalized attention. Our team of experienced solicitors is dedicated to providing top-notch legal services, proactive communication, and thorough guidance throughout the entire process.
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Inclusivity and Diversity
At Ali & Barrow Solicitors, inclusivity and diversity are not just buzzwords, but integral aspects of our culture. We strive to make our firm a place where everyone feels welcome, valued, and included. We embrace the diversity of our people, recognizing that their different perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds enhance our collective success.
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Individuality and Authenticity
We celebrate individuality and authenticity, encouraging our team to bring their unique strengths, talents, and ideas to the table. We foster a collaborative and supportive environment where creativity and innovation thrive. Our professionals are passionate, caring, and driven, and their dedication shines through in every aspect of their work.

To be eligible for permanent residency through a work visa, you must also meet certain requirements such as passing the Life in the UK test and meeting English language proficiency standards.

Investor Visa Pathway to Permanent Residency in the United Kingdom

The requirements for obtaining a Tier 1 (Investor) Visa in the UK are quite high, with a minimum investment of £2 million required. However, this visa route offers the opportunity for individuals to apply for permanent residency after five years of residence, or even sooner if you invest more than £5 million or £10 million.

To qualify for permanent residency under the Investor Visa pathway, you must prove that you have maintained your investment throughout your residence in the UK and met all other relevant requirements. This includes:

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  • Investing at least £2 million in the UK by way of government bonds, share capital or loan capital in active and trading UK-registered companies.
  • Proving that these funds are held in a regulated financial institution and are disposable to you.
  • Providing evidence of your source of funds, which must be from legal means such as inheritance, sale of property or business ownership.
  • Meeting the English language proficiency requirement unless you are a national of an English-speaking country or have completed a degree taught in English.
  • Passing the Life in the UK test to demonstrate your knowledge of British history, culture and society.

Our UK permanent residency solicitors can assist you in navigating the complexities of the Investor Visa pathway and ensure that you meet all requirements for permanent residency.

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Permanent Residency for European Union Nationals

Brexit, the UK's decision to leave the EU, has had a significant impact on immigration policies in the country. As a result of Brexit, European Union nationals and their family members will need to apply for residency status to continue living and working in the UK.
EU citizens who have been living continuously in the UK for five years or more can apply for settled status, which grants them permanent residency. Those who have not yet reached five years of residence can apply for pre-settled status and then transition to settled status once they meet the requirement.

Additional Pathways to Permanent Residency in the UK

Beyond conventional routes tied to work or family visas, there are several other ways you can achieve Permanent Residency (PR) in the UK. These pathways cater to unique circumstances and provide opportunities for those outside standard visa categories to secure their future in the UK. Here’s an overview:

Discretionary Leave to Remain

  • This route applies to individuals whose circumstances fall outside normal immigration rules but who have compelling reasons to stay in the UK. It is typically granted on a case-by-case basis and may lead to permanent residency after a specific period of continuous residence.

Settlement After Domestic Abuse

  • This route applies to individuals whose circumstances fall outside normal immigration rules but who have compelling reasons to stay in the UK. It is typically granted on a case-by-case basis and may lead to permanent residency after a specific period of continuous residence.

Child Residency after 7 Years

  • This route applies to individuals whose circumstances fall outside normal immigration rules but who have compelling reasons to stay in the UK. It is typically granted on a case-by-case basis and may lead to permanent residency after a specific period of continuous residence.

The 10-Year Long Residency Settlement

  • This route applies to individuals whose circumstances fall outside normal immigration rules but who have compelling reasons to stay in the UK. It is typically granted on a case-by-case basis and may lead to permanent residency after a specific period of continuous residence.

The Private Life Route

  • This route applies to individuals whose circumstances fall outside normal immigration rules but who have compelling reasons to stay in the UK. It is typically granted on a case-by-case basis and may lead to permanent residency after a specific period of continuous residence.

Permanent Status for Military Personnel

  • This route applies to individuals whose circumstances fall outside normal immigration rules but who have compelling reasons to stay in the UK. It is typically granted on a case-by-case basis and may lead to permanent residency after a specific period of continuous residence.
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Let Our UK Permanent Residency Solicitors Help

A good UK residency lawyer can make all the difference in securing your permanent residency status. At Ali & Barrow Solicitors, we don't take chances. We will guide you through the complexities of the immigration system and help you prepare a strong application that accurately reflects your situation.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced UK permanent residency lawyers.

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