Indefinite Leave to Remain London

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Publication date: 15.08.2025

Recently, our team was asked a question: “Hi. I have been living in London for 5 years on a work visa, but I went abroad several times for a short time. Can I apply for ILR and will there be any problems due to these departures?”

We wanna share the answer from our specialists:

08.08.2025 14:33:36 Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK after living there on a work visa involves meeting specific residency requirements. Generally, you must have lived in the UK for at least 5 continuous years on a qualifying visa to be eligible for ILR. However, there are rules regarding absences from the UK that you need to consider: 1. **Continuous Residence Requirement**: You must not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period during those five years. Short trips abroad usually do not affect your application as long as they do not exceed this limit. 2. **Purpose of Absence**: The Home Office may ask about the purpose of your absences. Business trips, holidays, and family visits are typically acceptable reasons. 3. **Documentation**: It's important to keep records of your travel dates and reasons for travel, such as flight tickets and itineraries, to provide evidence if needed. 4. **Current Visa Status**: Ensure that your current visa is one that leads to ILR; most work visas like Tier 2 (General) or Skilled Worker visas qualify. If your absences fall within these limits and you've met all other criteria (such as passing the Life in the UK Test and proving English language proficiency), you should be eligible to apply for ILR without issues related to your short trips abroad. However, immigration rules can be complex, so it might be beneficial to consult with an immigration advisor or solicitor who can provide guidance based on your specific circumstances.

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