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For the majority of international students who wish to settle and pursue their careers in a foreign country, the UK continues to be a desirable destination. According to a report in The Times, there has been a 50 per cent increase in the number of international students studying in UK universities over the past five years.

Getting a PR in UK is normally a complex process. With a typical processing time limit of around five years, the whole permanent residency application and issuing requires a considerable amount of patience and dedication. However, if you are keen on opting to stay in the UK permanently, you will certainly be greeted with promising opportunities for a better life.

Here, we have provided a comprehensive guide regarding everything you need to know for obtaining PR in the UK as per the immigration rules.

Overview of PR in UK

Permanent residency, short for PR, in the United Kingdom, grants individuals the permission required to study, work, or do business legally in the United Kingdom. It is also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

In 2019, the European Union Settlement Scheme was established by the UK Home Office to handle the certification of EU (European Union) residents living in the UK before the UK’s withdrawal, departure, or disengagement from the EU (also known as Brexit).

As per the existing immigration policies, this immigration status can only be awarded to those who do not possess a right of abode or Permanent residence for EEA nationals, i.e., those who do not have a native right of residence in the UK. However, suppose an individual spends more than two years continuously outside the UK after having already been granted permanent resident status in the UK. In that case, their PR visa is likely to be withdrawn.

How to Get PR in UK from India?

PR in the UK is a status that allows a person to live and work in the UK indefinitely without the need to renew a visa.

To get a PR in the UK  from India, there are several pathways available, depending on your situation. Here are some of the ways to get PR in the UK from India:

Skilled Worker or Tier 2 Visa UK

If you’re looking to extend your stay in the UK after your PSW visa expires, then the Skilled Worker or Tier 2 (General) visa is a good option to consider. It will allow you to continue working and living in the UK. To qualify for this visa, you’ll need a job offer from a licensed UK employer with a sponsor license. You must meet the minimum salary requirement of £25,600 per year or £10.10 per hour( whichever is the highest ). However, this salary requirement can vary depending on your job role.

You have family in the UK

In the UK, having family members who are already residents or citizens can be beneficial when applying for Permanent Residence (PR) or other types of visas. If you’re a spouse, partner, child, or relative of a settled person (British citizen or permanent resident), then you might be able to apply for PR. This allows you to live in the UK for a set period of usually 2 years. However, getting a visa also depends on the nature of your relationship and the status of your family member in the UK.

You have lived in the UK for 5 or 10 years

If you have lived in the UK for 5 years or more, then you might be able to apply for PR. However, along with a valid UK visa, there are some requirements that you must fulfil:

• You must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period during the qualifying period.
• You have Indefinite Leave to Remain(ILR) and Indefinite Leave to Enter(ILE)
• You are an adult(18 years or above)
• You need to demonstrate proficiency in English.
• You must pass the Life in the UK Test.
• You must have enough money to support yourself and your dependents.
• You must have a Good Character(without any criminal record)
• You plan to work in the UK.
• Your stay in the UK must align with immigration regulations

Note: If you are married to a British citizen, you can apply immediately after receiving ILR.

UK PR Eligibility Requirements

Firstly, to apply for PR in the United Kingdom, you have to spend a specified amount of time living and working in the country, which depends solely on your visa:

• Married or unmarried partner to UK citizen – 2 years
• Ancestry – 5 years
• Tier 1 and Tier 2 work permit – 5 years
• Investor, sportsperson, business owner, and artist – 5 years
• Lawful (Long) stay on any basis – 10 years
• Unlawful stay -14 years

Even after receiving permanent permission to stay, a statement from your employer stating your employment and ability to meet the pay criteria is required. If you are between the ages of 18 and 64, you have to take the “Life in the UK Test.” Your employment should pay more than the minimum wage, which implies that you are getting paid more than the following:

• Salary: £25,600 per year
• The hourly rate is £10.10
• The “standard wage” for the task you are performing

Get an English language certification at the B1 level of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) or a degree taught in English to meet the English language requirements.

Application Process for PR in UK

• Once you have finished your studies, thoroughly examine all of the criteria for PR in the United Kingdom
• Choose a suitable type of application and fill out the online application form
• You need to fill out your application for PR in the United Kingdom at least 28 days before the end of your qualifying term
• This application also contains an application for a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), which needs to be filled out too
• Thoroughly fill out the form’s personal history portion
• Once you have read the declaration form, sign it
• If you use the standard services, you can get a statement on your application within 6 months

Documents Required for PR in UK

• Council tax letters.
• Pay Stubs that are currently valid.
• Proof of address, such as rent or lease contract, and so on.
• Your bank account statements are proof of your financial status living in the UK.
• Proof that if an applicant has any other sources of income has been calculated.
• An appointment letter from the employer with a signatory authority stamp and date (if the applicant is a job employee or a skilled worker).

Documents required for legal relationship status for Set (M):

• Marriage and birth certificates (as required).
• Photo or video evidence of the specified established family member.

Documents for Set (0) includes:

• Pay Stubs from the last few months to show that you are being paid at or above the appropriate rate to be qualified to settle in the UK.
• The name, account number, transactions by the sponsor, financial institution name, and statement date must all be listed on your personal bank account or building society statement.
• Recent passport-size images, each with your full name written on the back.

The Process to Get PR in UK

Step 1: Getting Admitted to a University course

The first step in obtaining PR in the United Kingdom is to get admission to a UK university. The United Kingdom is world-renowned for its high-quality education, infrastructure, and worldwide connections. So, studying in the United Kingdom is the smartest choice any student can possibly make. The following are common prerequisites for admission to a UK university:

• Marksheets of prior academics
• The criterion for English Language Proficiency (such as IELTS, PTE, etc.)
• SOP (Statement of Purpose)
• LOR (Letter of Recommendation)
• Extracurricular activity certifications

Step 2: Secure a Student Visa

Right after you have been admitted to any university in the United Kingdom, you should apply for a student UK visa application, too. To get this type of visa, you have to submit a set of documents that includes:

• A valid passport or other forms of travel authorization is required
• A training provider or institution’s CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies)
• Valid proof that you will be able to sustain yourself financially while studying in the UK
• If your course and nationality demand it, you will also need a valid ATAS certificate
• Documentation of parental or other legal guardian consent. (If you are under the age of 18)
• Evidence of your parent or guardian’s relationship
• If you get sponsorship for your living costs and course fees in the last 12 months, you need to obtain written consent from your financial sponsor for your application

Step 3: Do Internships

Another crucial step to acquiring PR in the UK while studying is by doing internships. As per the rules, Tier-4 visa students can work up to 20 hours per week during the school year and full-time during the summer and Christmas holidays. An internship will not only provide them with money, but it will also aid in the building of your resume.

Step 4: Being Employed

The final stage for getting PR in the UK is to put forth some effort and seek employment. Upon completing their studies, students can apply for the Post-Student Work (PSW) visa, which allows them to work in any job for the first two years before being converted to a normal work visa. The entrepreneur visa is designed for overseas students who have the funds to start their own organisation. Other than these, Tier 1, 2, and 5 visas are available to students who want to work on their own startups.

Cost of PR in UK

Generally, permanent residency applications filed in the United Kingdom typically take six months to approve.

• The application processing charge for an individual PR settlement or ILR (indefinite leave to remain) in the United Kingdom is £2,389(INR 25k).
• For your biometric data, such as your fingerprints and photos, you will indeed be charged £19.20(INR 2k).

If you choose to apply in person, you will pay a much higher fee. However, an in-person application has the advantage of receiving a statement on the same day, and you don’t have to wait up to six months for your request to be processed. In order to get a quicker judgement on your PR application, you could have one of the following categories:

• Priority service: With this service, you will receive a statement in five working days. To use this option, you will have to pay an additional £500(INR 53k). The total amount due for this is £2,899(INR 3k).
• Super priority service: If you pay an additional £800 for this service, you will obtain a statement the very next day after providing your biometric data. The application for this service will cost £3,189(INR 3.3k) in total.

Benefits of PR in UK

To avail the benefits of PR in the UK, you need to follow the UK permanent residence rules. Here are some of the benefits you can avail post getting a PR in the UK.

• Right to Live and Work:  With PR, you can live and work in the UK for as long as you want. This eliminates the stress of visa renewals and limitations on job choices, allowing you to settle into your career and live a peaceful life in the UK.
  
• Free healthcare: As a UK permanent resident, you’ll be eligible to register with a general practitioner (GP) and access the National Health Service (NHS), a world-renowned healthcare system. The NHS provides essential medical care, including preventative services, treatment for illness, and access to hospitals.
  
• Social Security Benefits: As a permanent resident of the UK, you are entitled to access the social security system of the UK. This comprehensive system provides a safety net, offering benefits like unemployment support and assistance with housing costs.
  
• British Citizenship: You can apply for British citizenship after 12 months of holding PR, if you meet the necessary criteria. Also, if you have lived in UK for 5 years or more, you are usually eligible to apply for PR. There are some other ways also, but these are some direct methods.
  
• Travel Flexibility: Permanent resident status in the UK allows you to leave and re-enter the UK without a visa requirement. However, there is a condition that you should have your indefinite leave to remain if you have been outside the UK for less than 2 years.
  
• Family Benefits: With a PR card, you can sponsor your spouse, children, and other dependent relatives to join you in the UK. This allows you to live a life in the UK surrounded by your loved ones.
  
• Economic Opportunities: According to the nominal gross domestic product (GDP), the UK has the sixth-largest national economy in the world. With a PR status, you can benefit from this growing economy by buying property, starting businesses, and accessing other benefits without restrictions.
  
• Educational Benefits: After residing in the UK for 3 years, you can enrol your children in state schools in the UK, where they will receive a high-quality education. As a PR holder yourself, you may also be eligible for government funding for further education courses, allowing you to upskill or pursue academic goals.

Conclusion

Permanent residence in the United Kingdom is achievable for Indian and other overseas students who meet all of the criteria above. If you enrol at a UK university or course, have outstanding grades or a degree, and are talented in your profession, nothing can stop you from obtaining a PR in the UK. Remember, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for overseas students to make a permanent change in their lives. So, study in the United Kingdom and work your way up to obtaining a permanent resident card.

Frequently Asked Questions