Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as a Refugee in the UK
Secure your future and settlement rights after five years of protection
If you have been recognised as a refugee or granted humanitarian protection in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years of continuous residence. ILR gives you the right to live, work, and study in the UK without immigration restrictions, access public funds, and eventually apply for British citizenship.
At Immigration Solicitors UK, we help refugees and their families apply for permanent settlement with clarity and care, ensuring every application meets the Home Office requirements.
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Secure your future and settlement rights after five years of protection
If you have been recognised as a refugee or granted humanitarian protection in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years of continuous residence. ILR gives you the right to live, work, and study in the UK without immigration restrictions, access public funds, and eventually apply for British citizenship.
At Immigration Solicitors UK, we help refugees and their families apply for permanent settlement with clarity and care, ensuring every application meets the Home Office requirements.
About Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as a Refugee
When a person is granted asylum or humanitarian protection, they receive limited leave to remain for five years. After this period, they can apply for ILR, provided they have met all the conditions of their stay.
ILR means that you are no longer subject to immigration control. You can build your life in the UK permanently, access higher education, work freely, and apply to bring eligible family members to join you.
Key points
- You can apply after five continuous years of refugee or humanitarian leave.
- You must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period.
- There is no English language or Life in the UK test requirement for refugee ILR.
- Dependants can usually apply at the same time or after completing their own five years.
The full benefits of ILR can be seen in various areas of a refugee’s life, including furthering their education, purchasing a home, and reuniting with their family. By following legal procedures, you can gather the necessary documents, avoid mistakes, and easily meet deadlines.
To qualify for ILR as a refugee or person with humanitarian protection, you must meet the Home Office’s eligibility criteria:
1. Five years of continuous protection
You must have held refugee status or humanitarian protection for at least five years. Time before your grant of status does not count.
2. Continuous residence in the UK
You must have lived in the UK throughout the five-year period and not been absent for more than 180 days in any 12-month period.
3. Good character and lawful stay
You must not have serious criminal convictions, breaches of immigration law, or any ongoing investigations affecting your status.
4.Supporting evidence
You’ll need to provide:
- Your valid Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or travel document
- Proof of your refugee or humanitarian status and the decision letter
- Evidence of residence in the UK (bills, tenancy agreements, or letters from official bodies)
- Details of any travel abroad during your stay.
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Our specialist immigration solicitors assist clients across the UK with ILR applications for refugees and humanitarian protection holders. We offer:
- Eligibility checks to confirm when you can apply
- Review and preparation of all supporting evidence
- Completion and submission of the ILR (SET(O)) application
- Representation in complex or refused cases
- Advice on applying for British citizenship once eligible
We ensure your application is accurate, complete, and supported by the right documents to avoid unnecessary delays or refusals.
Refugees can include their spouse, partner, or dependent children under 18 in their ILR application, or family members can apply separately once they have held refugee or humanitarian status for five years.
Dependants must show:
- Their relationship to the main applicant (marriage, civil partnership, or birth certificate)
- Lawful residence in the UK under refugee family status
- Good character and compliance with visa conditions
Dependents have the option of applying either simultaneously with the principal refugee or at a later date, provided they have been granted refugee status for at least five years. The five-year period will start from the moment equal status is given, if the dependents arrive in the country later. They must comply with the good character standard and explain, however minor, any wrongdoings they might have committed if requested.
ISUK helps the families with:
- Managing multi-person applications
- Collecting proof of family relationships and co-residence
- Trusting that the dependents fulfill the requirements of continuity and legal stay
Our team helps families prepare joint or individual applications and ensures each family member’s evidence meets Home Office standards.
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If you hold humanitarian protection (but not full refugee status), you can still apply for ILR after five years of continuous residence.
This includes those granted leave following exceptional circumstances, such as victims of trafficking or serious human rights concerns.
You must show:
- Continuous lawful residence in the UK for five years
- No serious criminal or immigration offences
- Evidence of your humanitarian status and current immigration documents
The process involves several key steps:
- Confirm your eligibility
Make sure at least five years have passed since your asylum or protection grant. - Complete the SET(O) application form
This is the online form used for refugees and humanitarian protection holders. - Gather your evidence
Include proof of your status, residence, and travel history. - Pay the Home Office fee
The ILR fee in 2025 is £2,885. Priority and super-priority services are available at additional cost. - Attend your biometric appointment
Provide fingerprints and a photograph at a UKVCAS centre. - Wait for the decision
Standard processing takes up to six months; priority decisions can take as little as five working days.
Our solicitors will prepare your case carefully, check your evidence before submission, and handle any follow-up with the Home Office.
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To avoid any delays, you should provide:
- Identity documents such as a Biometric Residence Permit or documents of refugee status
- UK travel record and entry mark
- Passport or travel document
- Supporting documents for residential continuity e.g., energy bills, lease agreements
- Travel history with times of departures and arrivals
- Certificate of good conduct (if necessary)
Common issues include missing evidence of travel dates, inconsistent names, or poor document scans. We check all materials before submission to ensure they meet UKVI standards.
The Home Office processing times are:
- Standard service: up to 6 months (may take more in some cases)
- Priority service: around 5 working days (extra fee)
- Super priority service: usually within 24 hours (where available)
Preparing your application and supporting documents may take 2–4 weeks, depending on your circumstances.
Once your ILR is approved, you will have permanent residence in the UK. You can:
- Live, work, and study without restrictions
- Access the NHS and public funds
- Apply for British citizenship after 12 months (if eligible)
Be aware that ILR can be lost if you leave the UK for more than two years, commit serious criminal offences, or obtain citizenship (which replaces ILR automatically).
Other Requirements
Refugee applicants should remember that they are not obliged to take the English and Life in the UK tests as they are exempted; nevertheless:
- You must not be using public funds, which are subject to restrictions
- You must not have another non-ILR visa and break the terms
You have to keep your status legal during the qualifying period.
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What We Offer
Our Services
we understand that immigrating to a new country is a significant
decision that comes with its own set of challenges.
Family Visas
Partner Visas
Settlement in the UK
Settlement of EEA Nationals
British Citizenship and The Right of Abode
Challenge a Refusal
Removals/Deportations
Asylum/Human Rights
Sponsor License for a UK Business
UK Business Visas
Student Visas
Popular Work Visas
Other work visas and permits
Visas without a job offer
Work for an overseas employer
Temporary work visas
UK Visit Visas
ISUK Expert Solicitors for Refugee ILR Applications
Our team of solicitors primarily handles cases involving refugees and discretionary settlement. We send you:
- Thorough suitability evaluations
- Preparation of the case and gathering of documents
- Information on government fees and choosing the best service
- Complete application and online monitoring
- Representation at interviews, appeals, and if the case is not accepted
- Professional assistance until the submission of the citizenship application
Fees and Transparency
We offer fixed-fee quotes for ILR applications, confirmed in writing before starting work.
Fees depend on your case complexity and whether you are applying alone or with family members.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I apply for ILR as a refugee?
After five years from your asylum grant date.
Do I need to take the English or Life in the UK tests?
No, refugee ILR applicants are exempt from this requirement.
Can I include my family?
Yes, spouse and children may apply with you or separately after five years.
What if I’ve travelled abroad?
Ensure absences did not exceed 180 days within any year.
What is the cost?
£2,885 standard fee, plus biometric and optional priority charges.
How long does processing take?
Six months standard, priority 5 days; super-priority 24 hours.
Can ILR be lost?
Yes, if you seriously breach the law or remain outside the UK for over 2 years.
Are criminal convictions a problem?
Minor convictions may not disqualify you, but serious ones can.
What if my application is refused?
You can appeal or seek an administrative review. ISUK can help with both.
What are the next steps after ILR?
After 12 months, you’re eligible to apply for British citizenship with no residency tests.
