A Complete Guide to the Different Types of UK Residence Permits

There are exciting options for career, education, and family life when you move to the UK. However, a crucial first step in this process is obtaining the appropriate UK residence permits. Knowing the various kinds of UK residency permits can help you make well-informed decisions, regardless of your plans to remain temporarily or permanently in the country.

The different UK residency types are all explained in this guide.

What is a UK Residence Permit?

An official document known as a UK residence permit enables foreign nationals to reside lawfully in the UK for a set amount of time or forever. Usually granted as a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), it attests to your UK immigration status, which allows you to work, study, and use public services.

Types of UK Residence Permits

The different types of UK residence permits are,

1) Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

ILR is one of the safest forms of UK residence and allows you to remain in the country for as long as you like. You may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain if you’ve been in the UK legally for five continuous years. You can use it to apply for British citizenship. Different routes to ILR are the Skilled Worker Visa, Global Talent Visa, Innovator Visa, Investor Visa, Partner Visa, Retired Visa, and more.

2) EU Settlement Scheme

a) Settled Status

Citizens of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein who have been granted settled status are eligible to reside in the United Kingdom with indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme. You must have resided in the UK continuously for five years to be granted settled status. Once you have held Settled Status for a minimum of 12 months, you can seek to become a British citizen.

b) Pre-Settled Status

Citizens with Pre-Settled Status from the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein are permitted to reside in the United Kingdom with limited Leave to Remain under the EU Settlement Scheme. You can stay in the UK for a maximum of five years, but if you depart for more than two years in a row, you will no longer be considered pre-settled. You can apply for Settled Status after residing in the UK for a continuous five years. For the majority of people, the application deadline for new Pre-Settled Status claims has passed.

3) Biometric Residence Permit

You can prove that you are living, working, or studying in the UK lawfully by obtaining a UK biometric resident permit. If you intend to stay in the UK for more than six months, you may be eligible for a UK biometric resident permit. You will get a BRP if you want to switch your visa to a different passport, increase the duration of your visa by more than six months, or apply to live in the United Kingdom.

4) Residence Permits Under the Windrush Scheme

Commonwealth citizens and their children in the UK can get free documents verifying their citizenship through the Windrush Scheme. The Windrush program is open to applicants both inside and outside the United Kingdom. You are eligible,

a) If you arrived in the UK from a Commonwealth nation before 1973, you may seek to demonstrate your ability to live and work there.

b) Before 1973, your parents immigrated to the UK from a Commonwealth nation.

c) You arrived in the UK from any country before December 31, 1988, and you currently reside there.

5) UK Ancestry Visa

If one of your grandparents was born in the UK and you plan to work there as a Commonwealth citizen, you can apply for a UK ancestry visa. The validity of a UK ancestry visa is five years. To qualify for a UK ancestry visa, you need to,

a) be at least 17 years old.

b) Show that you can work in the UK.

c) Have enough cash on hand to sustain yourself and any dependents you may have without government assistance.

d) Show that one of your grandparents was born in the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, or the United Kingdom.

UK Visa Processing Time

Knowing the UK Visa Processing Time helps you plan better.

Tourist and visitor visas - 3 weeks on average from outside the UK

Skilled Worker and Student Visas - 3 to 8 weeks

Family Visas - Up to 24 weeks

ILR Applications - 6 months or more

If you're planning a short-term visit for leisure or family purposes, applying for a UK tourist visa from Dubai is a convenient option. The standard processing time is about three weeks, making it ideal for travelers who want to explore the UK without long-term commitments.

Note

The 5 Years Multiple-Entry UK Visa is perfect for business or family travel because it allows frequent visits for five years without granting a resident status.

Which UK residency permit is ideal for you will depend on why you are visiting or moving to the UK. There are numerous visa pathways available in the UK. Before submitting an application for a resident permit, always be sure to review the most updated information regarding UK visa fees.