Uk Ilr Details Needed

[Xiengmieng]

Just wondering:

Once you get ILR (UK), how long before you can become a citizen? Cost? Requirements?

If you're not interested in being a citizen, what are the requirements of someone with ILR? Do you have to spend a certain amount of time in the UK annually?

Any help would be great

Thanks

[7by7]

Indefinite Leave to Remain is a type of entry clearance which allows the holder to reside in the UK indefinitely. The holder can leave and re-enter the UK as often as they wish, however if they spend a continuous period of 2 years or more outside the UK then it can lapse. In which case the holder would need to apply for the appropriate visa if they wished to enter the UK again.

There could also be problems if one spent long periods out of the UK with only the occasional short visit to the UK. If it became apparant that the UK was not one's main country of residence, then entry could be refused.

If a non EEA national wishes to reside in the UK then ILR, or the equivalent, is essential unless one is prepared to regularly renew, and pay for, one's visa. The current cost of ILR is £750 by post or £950 in person.

For details of how to apply for ILR and what evidence to supply, click here.

Citizenship is voluntary, there is no requirement for a foreign national living in the UK to apply. Gaining it does have certain advantages, though.

British citizens can leave and re-enter the UK as often and for as long as they wish. Once granted, citizenship wont lapse no matter how long one spends out of the UK.

British citizens can travel, work or live in Europe without the need of a visa.

A British citizen can visit many more countries without a visa than, for example, a Thai citizen can.

To qualify for citizenship one must be living in the UK free of any time restriction, i.e. have ILR or the equivalent. One must also have been living in the UK for at least 5 years, or 3 years if the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen.

There are other requirements as well, click here for details.

The current cost of applying is £655.

The UK allows it's citizens to hold dual nationality, as does Thailand. being naturalised as British will not effect one's Thai nationality in any way.

Edited December 21, 2008 by 7by7

[Xiengmieng]

Thank you very much 7by7, very helpful indeed!

[DC1066]

7by7

Thanks for that, really useful.

I've just followed the link you posted and it gives the fee for applying as £655, but then there is another section that states a fee of £480 for registering as a British Citizen.

Do you need to do this as well and what does this give you. What are the benefits and what happens if you don't do this?

Thanks,

DC

[7by7]

People under the age of 18 cannot apply to be naturalised as British; instead they apply to be registered as British.

So naturalisation is for those over 18 and registration is for those under 18.

Why this differance? No idea.

Edit.

Just had a read through the relevent pages, and adults can in certain circumstances apply for registration as well.

However, those who can do so already have some connection to the UK. e.g a British mother, born in the UK etc. ((see here).

Someone who arrived in the UK with a settlement or other visa and has obtained ILR or the equivilent cannot apply to be registered unless they are under 18.

Edited December 22, 2008 by 7by7

[DC1066]

Thanks again,

DC