Free Life in the UK Test Questions, Answers, Study guides and Advice at Life in the UK Test

The following are the application types in which you can apply for indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom. If your visa category is not included in the list, you will not be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain. The list below also already indicates how long you must have at least lived in the United Kingdom (for a continuous period) in order to be eligible for permanent residence:

• HSMP and Work permit = 5 years

• Ancestry = 5 years

• Marriage = 2 years

• Unmarried partners = 2 years

• Investors = 5 years

• Writers, Composer, and Artists = 5 years

• Sole reps = 5 years

• Persons establishing themselves in business = 5 years

• Unlawful stay or a combination of lawful and unlawful stay = 14 years

• Lawful stay on any basis = 10 years

You will have to take the Life in the UK test to prove that you have sufficient knowledge of language and life in the United Kingdom.

Once you have been granted indefinite leave to remain, you are not allowed to spend longer than two years outside the United Kingdom. On the other hand though, you will be able to pursue work or business opportunities in the UK without limits once your permanent residence has been granted.

If you are going to spend only short periods of time in the country, you should consider applying for UK citizenship to avoid losing your permanent residence.