What is ILR for the Family of UK Citizens?

ILR for family members of UK citizens is offered for various family relations, and it is through this channel that such a family member has the eligibility to live, work, or study in the UK for an unlimited period. In specified cases, the family relations allowed for this route include a spouse, an unmarried partner, children below 18 years, dependent parents, and other relatives. After getting ILR, one is allowed, if interested, to submit an application for British citizenship after fulfilling the residency requirements and meeting other conditions. ​

Eligibility for ILR for Family Members of Settled Persons

The applicants of ILR for family members of settled persons in the UK fall into distinct categories:

Spouses and Unmarried Partners: Eligibility to apply for ILR for families of UK citizens as a spouse or partner exists if the applicant completed five years on a spouse or partner visa and demonstrated a genuine and ongoing relationship with his or her British or settled partner.

Children: Dependent children under the age of 18 can join the application with their parents. The parents need to be British or hold ILR. Some children born in the UK whose parents also hold ILR or are British citizens might receive the registration directly as British citizens.

Parents of British Citizens: Parents who depend financially on their children in the UK can apply for ILR if they prove that they require long-term personal care, which their child can only provide in the UK.

Other Dependent Relatives: Other relatives can apply in specific circumstances where they rely on their British family member for financial and personal support and do not have access to such care in their home country​.

This article will look at different visa routes that can lead to ILR.

Key Conditions of ILR for Families of UK Citizens

Residence Condition: Generally, family members applying for ILR for families of UK citizens must have been in the UK for a specified number of years. For spouses and unmarried partners, this is five years of continuous residence. Children are usually included in their parent's application. To maintain continuous residence, applicants should not have been absent from the UK for an extended period of time.

Financial Requirement: Families of settled persons must apply for ILR, normally by meeting a financial criterion. The amount is calculated as £18,600 for a couple, to which additional amounts are applied for each dependent child. This indicates the financial requirements necessary to support the family in the UK without depending on public funds​.

Genuine Relationship Proof: Proof of relationships would be strictly required to apply for ILR for relatives, spouses, or partners. The proof, for example, may have included a joint bank account, records of living in such places, and shared economic burdens, which would speak directly to an actual and even consistent relationship.

English Language and Life in the UK Test: The candidate aged 18-64 must pass an accepted English language test at B1 level and above and the Life in the UK test. These tests help demonstrate that the applicant can settle within the UK community and understand its culture and values.

This video will outline all the requirements you need to satisfy for an ILR application. 

Application Process of ILR for Family Members of Persons Settled

A standard procedure followed for an application to receive ILR for a group of UK citizens involves applying for the SET(M) online and making an appointment for biometric documentation with an existing fee amount 2024 of $2,885. Even higher charges are levied to achieve priority processing, which provides a guarantee of arriving at a swift judgment. Following the successful submission of an ILR application, one remains eligible to stay in the UK as their application would legally allow it to become official since this normally takes about three to six months.

Get ILR Assistance

The route to securing ILR for families of UK citizens is rewarding, offering stability and freedom to stay in the UK permanently. Knowing the specific requirements and gathering the required documentation is important for a successful application. The A Y & J Solicitors team provides expert advice to families for the application process. We guide them through the intricate complexities of ILR for family members of settled persons with a positive result.