Once granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), you may stay in the UK to work or study. It is important to know the Indefinite Leave to Remain expiry rules and in which cases this status may be lost or revoked.
ILR expiry rules
Once granted, ILR does not have an expiry date. There are, however, circumstances in which you may lose your status.
Please note that this is different from Biometric Residence Permits (BRP), which are usually granted for a duration of 10 years, and thus can expire. While these can be used to prove your ILR status, this does not mean that ILR expires when your BRP does.
The main reason for losing ILR is when you are absent from the country for over 2 years. While there may be exceptions where the 2-year rule does not apply, you may automatically lose your ILR after 2 years, and would need to apply for a Returning Resident Visa to move back to the UK.
Why ILR may be revoked
The Home Office may decide to revoke your Indefinite Leave to Remain if one of these applies:
- You obtained ILR through deception.
- You obtained ILR as a refugee but are no longer one.
- You are liable for deportation, but cannot be removed from the UK, for legal reasons.
If your ILR is revoked, it is highly recommended to seek assistance from professionals who can advise you on the best course of action available to you.
Contact our team
If you have any queries on Indefinite Leave to Remain or would like to discuss your ILR application, please get in touch with our team. Our experienced immigration lawyers have impressive success rates and will help you navigate the complex UK immigration laws.
