Hassle-free help from the UK's best Immigration solicitors.
Transparent pricing, from start to finishGet the support you need, when you need itTrusted lawyers, clear expectations
Transparent pricing, from start to finishGet the support you need, when you need itTrusted lawyers, clear expectations
Amazing experience
After placing an enquiry, I received a call 20 minutes later, and then 2 hours later, I had a solicitor assigned to me. They were absolutely incredible right from the word go - amazing and very prompt with replies, answering all my questions and keeping the process moving. We finally completed today and I am so unbelievably happy. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Lawhive again in the future if needed.
Lily
First class service
I initially made an online enquiry about a tricky conveyancing matter and received an immediate call back. They understood straight away what was needed and gave me a quote that was very reasonable. It was such a pleasure to find someone who was cheerful, professional and completely reassuring as I’d been getting quite anxious about the sale of my house. The service Lawhive has provided is absolutely first class and I cannot recommend them enough.
Charles
Empathetic, professional and efficient
I am an executor, selling my mother's home. I found the assistance I received from Lawhive first rate - empathetic, professional and efficient.
Mark
Great service from Lawhive
We used Lawhive for our conveyancing needs and our solicitor was very helpful, patient and informative. She helped us with our needs with prompt responses and provided a very efficient service.
Kelvin
Great service when you need clarity and calm
Our solicitor was warm, friendly and provided crystal clear communication. A lot of conveyancers assume customers know everything about the process already, so it was really appreciated to hear each stage included in the price given.
Em
Quick and efficient
We used Lawhive for a transfer of property and conveyancing. Our solicitor was so helpful and thorough with the whole process. He responded quickly and efficiently to any questions or requests that we had and explained some of the more complicated issues regarding the process clearly.
Geri
Fantastic service and experience with Lawhive
I had the pleasure of working with Lawhive doing a transfer of equity on a property. Our solicitor’s service was amazing, she responded quickly to any questions or concerns and kept me updated throughout the process. I can strongly recommend her for any conveyancing work that you may need. Fantastic service all round.
Jane
Amazing experience
After placing an enquiry, I received a call 20 minutes later, and then 2 hours later, I had a solicitor assigned to me. They were absolutely incredible right from the word go - amazing and very prompt with replies, answering all my questions and keeping the process moving. We finally completed today and I am so unbelievably happy. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Lawhive again in the future if needed.
Lily
First class service
I initially made an online enquiry about a tricky conveyancing matter and received an immediate call back. They understood straight away what was needed and gave me a quote that was very reasonable. It was such a pleasure to find someone who was cheerful, professional and completely reassuring as I’d been getting quite anxious about the sale of my house. The service Lawhive has provided is absolutely first class and I cannot recommend them enough.
Charles
Empathetic, professional and efficient
I am an executor, selling my mother's home. I found the assistance I received from Lawhive first rate - empathetic, professional and efficient.
Mark
Great service from Lawhive
We used Lawhive for our conveyancing needs and our solicitor was very helpful, patient and informative. She helped us with our needs with prompt responses and provided a very efficient service.
Kelvin
Great service when you need clarity and calm
Our solicitor was warm, friendly and provided crystal clear communication. A lot of conveyancers assume customers know everything about the process already, so it was really appreciated to hear each stage included in the price given.
Em
Quick and efficient
We used Lawhive for a transfer of property and conveyancing. Our solicitor was so helpful and thorough with the whole process. He responded quickly and efficiently to any questions or requests that we had and explained some of the more complicated issues regarding the process clearly.
Geri
Fantastic service and experience with Lawhive
I had the pleasure of working with Lawhive doing a transfer of equity on a property. Our solicitor’s service was amazing, she responded quickly to any questions or concerns and kept me updated throughout the process. I can strongly recommend her for any conveyancing work that you may need. Fantastic service all round.
Jane
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01 overview
Leave to remain allows migrants the right to live, study, and work in the UK without restrictions.
The length of time that an individual is permitted to remain in the UK depends on whether they have limited or indefinite leave to remain.
Leave to remain applications have strict eligibility requirements and a formal application process that requires supporting evidence and documents.
Our network of experienced immigration solicitors can help you with your leave to remain application.
Get in touch today for a free case assessment.
Limited leave to remain is a status held by visa holders who have been granted access to the UK that permits them to stay in the UK until their visa expires.
Those with limited leave to remain must adhere to the conditions of their visa throughout their time in the UK. This might include having a valid certificate of sponsorship for individuals on skilled worker visas and not being able to access public funds.
With a limited leave to remain visa, you must leave the UK at the end of your visa. If you wish to remain, you must extend your visa, or apply for indefinite leave to remain.
Unlike those on student visas and short-term visitors who are expected to return home at the end of their visa period, settled status or indefinite leave to remain (ILR) allows you to stay in the UK as long as you wish.
If you have ILR you have no immigration restrictions. This means your movements are free and you can leave and re-enter the UK whenever you like. However, ILR can expire if you are out of the UK for two consecutive years.
When you hold ILR, you may be able to get welfare benefits and tax credits which aren’t available for those on visas with limited leave to remain.
Discretionary leave to remain is a power given to the Home Office to grant limited leave to remain to migrants outside of the UK’s visa system and usual immigration rules.
It is ‘discretionary’ because it is only granted on compassionate grounds under exceptional circumstances.
If an individual qualifies for asylum or humanitarian protection under immigration rules, they won’t be granted discretionary leave to remain. The same is true if they qualify for leave outside Article 8 of the Human Rights Act 1988.
Discretionary leave is based on the circumstances of the case - it is typically granted for no more than 30 months.
If you want to extend your discretionary leave to remain allowance you need to apply to extend at least 28 days before your current discretionary leave expires.
A leave to remain application is the official process by which an individual in the UK staying in the country under a visa or other method under the immigration rules may apply to stay in the UK for a limited period.
Your activities will be limited by the restrictions of your visa. Typically, you won’t have access to public funds under a limited leave to remain.
After a qualifying period on a leave to remain visa, you may be able to settle and apply for indefinite leave to remain.
It depends on your visa. Those unable to apply for indefinite leave to remain can usually apply to have their visa extended, so they can continue to stay in the UK.
The eligibility criteria for indefinite leave to remain include:
The time requirement of living continuously in the UK depends on the type of visa you have. Most visas require you to have stayed in the UK continuously for 5 years, including skilled worker visas and spousal visas.
Global talent and founder visas have a shorter requirement of only 3 years before individuals become eligible for Indefinite leave.
If you meet all of the requirements mentioned you can apply for indefinite leave to remain and if your application is successful, you can live in the UK as long as you like and make a life here.
If you want to become a British citizen, you can do so after living in the UK with indefinite leave to remain for 12 months.
If you are not eligible for indefinite leave to remain, you may be able to apply for further leave to remain. This process allows you to temporarily extend your visa.
You must apply for an extension to your visa before your current visa expires. When you stay in the UK after your visa expires, this is known as overstaying. Remaining in the UK without permission after a visa has expired is an offence and can lead to you being deported.
There are two main pieces of evidence required to prove that you’re an eligible candidate for leave to remain.
This relates to anyone who isn’t from a majority English-speaking country.
When your national language is not English you must prove your aptitude for English to the Home Office.
You may need to provide evidence of an academic qualification taught in English, equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree or PhD in the UK.
If you don’t have this you may be asked to take and pass an approved English test.
To be granted leave to remain in the UK you must provide evidence that you have suitable accommodation and that you can support yourself and any dependents.
This can be evidenced by showing the salary of the job you’ll be taking up when you enter the country. Alternatively, you can prove you can maintain yourself by showing a snapshot of your finances at a specific point before you apply. If you have a work sponsor, they can provide financial support on your behalf.
The cost of the application itself will depend on what type of visa you’re applying to and the circumstances of your application.
If you want to apply for indefinite leave to remain the Home Office fee is £2,885 per applicant.
Applying for limited leave to remain will depend on the cost of your visa application fee.
The cost for a licensed solicitor to help with a leave to remain application is dependent on many factors including the complexity and specific requirements of the case. On average it is expected to range from £225-£300 but in some cases, it could cost as much as £375.
You must first be eligible to apply before you can make an application for limited leave to remain.
You’re eligible if you:
To apply, you will need to meet the full requirements of the immigration rules and the rules for the visa you’re applying to.
For points-based visas, you will need to earn the minimum number of points required by the type of visa you’re applying to and you will need to pass the English requirement mentioned earlier.
There are different ways to apply when you’re:
If you’re applying for indefinite leave to remain based on your private life, you can only apply online.
To be eligible for ILR, you must have been in the UK for a certain period.
The time necessary depends on your visa category, whether you meet all other eligibility rules, and if you can prove your English language skills and knowledge of life in the UK.
As a general rule, indefinite leave to remain applications can take up to 6 months to be processed. You may be able to fast-track your application in some instances, but you’ll have to pay a fee.
The Home Office’s priority service enables you to get a decision in 5 working days, or 30 days for a family visa.
The super priority service enables decisions by the end of the next working day for £500.
If you need an immigration solicitor's help with your application, the time to complete the matter depends on a few factors such as how straightforward your case is and how fast any other parties respond.
For more information, contact our Legal Assessment Team today.
Indefinite leave to remain, also known as settled status, gives you the right to live in the UK indefinitely. It will only expire if you have been out of the UK for 2 consecutive years.
Limited leave to remain will depend on your visa type and whether you are eligible to extend it, or choose to convert it to indefinite leave to remain.
A leave to remain status letter is a document that confirms when the Home Office has granted leave to remain to an asylum seeker or an individual who has been accepted to the country on humanitarian grounds, or another form of protection.
The letter should reference your name, nationality, date of birth, and other information that you have provided to the Home Office. It will also outline the type of leave to remain and the duration you’ll be granted.
With indefinite leave to remain you can vote in national and local elections if you are a Commonwealth citizen.
Yes, settled status is another way to describe indefinite leave to remain. It is usually used more informally.
ILR and British citizenship are not the same thing, and indefinite leave to remain does not grant British citizenship – there is a different process you need to go through to apply for British citizenship.
You may apply for British citizenship one year after you receive settled status.
There are some crucial differences between the two:
Leave to enter is a right required by British and Irish citizens to leave the UK and enter other countries.
Leave to remain gives those staying in the UK on a visa the right to remain until their visa expires. It also gives the right to those who qualify the right to stay in the UK as long as they wish.
We know your immigration status can weigh heavily on your mind. When your right to remain in the UK is in question, this pending decision can hang over your head.
We understand how important it is to you to get clarity on your situation, so you can start planning for the future with confidence.
Our network of experienced immigration solicitors can help you apply for leave to remain and put you in the best position for success.
Get in contact with us today for a free case assessment and quote for the services of a specialist lawyer.
With straightforward pricing - so you know exactly what to expect at every step.
