Apply for Permanent Residence in the UK

About Permanent Residence

Permanent Residence (PR) is confirming your rights to live in the UK as a settled person indefinitely, free from immigration restrictions. Since Brexit and now that the EU Settlement Scheme has come to an end, you must now find a route to PR through channels such as visas or citizenship. If you are looking to come to the UK, QC Immigration can assist with all types of visas, citizenship or Indefinite Leave to Remain. If you would like to discuss the best route for you to obtain the right to permanently reside in the UK, please get in touch.

Residence Following the EU Settlement Scheme’s End

If you were unable to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme before the 30 June 2021 cut-off and do not have a family member that has successfully completed their application, you will no longer be eligible to obtain the pre-settled status or settled status through the scheme and will have to consider the other routes available that can grant you permanent residence.

If one family member has one of these statuses, you will still be able to apply through the scheme.

Other Routes To Permanent Residence

There are a number of options available should you decide to seek permanent residence in the UK following the end of the EU settlement scheme, two of the most popular of which are visas that allow for residency in the UK and an eventual path to citizenship which will ensure a permanent right of residing in the UK.

Visas

There are a number of visa options available for EU Nationals who are looking to work towards a permanent residence in the UK. They all feature different requirements and can be valid for different amounts of time.

We can help find the visa that is most likely to get you residency in the UK and put you on the path towards a permanent residence, some of our most popular options include:

Work Visas – If you are coming into the UK for work you must apply for the visa most applicable to your situation. There are different types of Work Visas depending on a number of factors including the nature of your work, the amount of time that you will be in the UK, and the reason tour work is based here among others.

Business Visas – For those who are coming to the UK but are not traditionally employed, individuals filling roles such as investors, innovators, or entrepreneurs can apply for a relevant visa that will grant them the right to work in the UK for a period of time.

Family Visas – If you are the legitimate spouse – or civil partner, fiancé, proposed civil partner or even unmarried partner – of a UK citizen or an individual with permanent UK residence, you may be able to apply for certain types of Family Visas.

There are also options available for both the parents and children of UK Permanent Residents should they meet the necessary requirements. These visas ensure that families can remain together in the UK should one member be a permanent resident.

Study Visas – Students from Europe can still come to the UK but must now apply for a Student Visa. Student Visas differ depending on the age of the student, as there are separate visas for children and adults, and the type of study that the student is carrying out as there are both long and short-term visa options.

There are of course other types of visas available and if none of these seems applicable to you please contact us so that we can help find a route that is right for you and offers the best chance for permanent residency.

Citizenship

If you have been living in the UK for the past 3 years we can help in ensuring that you are eligible and meet the requirements for British Citizenship. Whether you have been born in the UK, are married to a British citizen, or are looking towards naturalisation, you must be sure that you meet all of the requirements that are needed for British Citizenship.

That includes valid proof that you were in the UK for at least 3 years prior to your application as well as proof that you have passed the Life in the UK Test, good knowledge of the English language through an approved test, and a provably good character, meaning no criminal record and past respect of immigration laws.

There are also much more specific requirements on top of the general points covered above. For information, support, and the construction of a clear case that proves that you meet all requirements that you are eligible for, it would be best to consult and collaborate with a specialist law team such as QC Immigration with ample experience in these areas.

Examples of our successful Permanent Residence client cases

Permanent Residence Card granted in 2 months: A Dutch client who has spent over 20 years in the UK working in multinational firms as a qualified Chartered Accountant and as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in various tech start-ups. We presented his historic 5 years continuous period including a combination of employment and self-employment.

Permanent Residence Card granted in 3 months: An Italian client had accumulated nearly 10 years of UK residence, however, he had approximately 6 months gap in his latest year due to business travels in Spain. We managed to persuade the Home Office with strong legal arguments and court precedents.

A Thai client who resided in the UK for 5 years under the EEA Residence Card, as the spouse of her French national husband. Her Sponsor (the French husband) worked as an employed and self-employed person throughout the 5 years continuous period, however, he had several months of inactivity as a jobseeker. The Permanent Residence Card was granted due to comprehensive documentation showing that he never stopped exercising EU Treaty Rights despite the temporary gaps.