Unlike time-limited visas, ILR is a permanent status that offers significant freedom, protection, and access to opportunities across every aspect of life in the UK — from employment and education to travel, family life, and long-term settlement.
For many migrants, securing ILR is a key milestone in their UK immigration journey. It removes the need to extend visas, reduces legal uncertainty, and paves the way toward full citizenship if desired.
At Axis Solicitors, we regularly advise clients on both obtaining and using their ILR status effectively. This blog provides a comprehensive overview of the benefits of ILR in the UK, and how it can change your rights and life in the UK.
The Right to Live in the UK Without Time Restrictions
One of the most significant benefits of ILR in the UK is the freedom to live in the United Kingdom permanently, without being subject to time-limited visa conditions or ongoing renewal requirements.
This benefit gives ILR holders a level of stability that temporary visa categories cannot offer — and is often the primary reason individuals apply for settlement in the first place.
What Does “Indefinite” Mean?
Indefinite Leave to Remain means there is no expiry date on your immigration status. You are granted the right to remain in the UK for as long as you wish, provided you do not:
- Leave the UK for extended periods
- Breach immigration or criminal laws
This is in contrast to most other visa categories (e.g. Skilled Worker, Spouse Visa, Graduate Visa), which are typically granted for 2.5 to 5 years and require periodic extension and reassessment.
No Need to Renew or Extend Visas
Once you are granted ILR:
- You do not need to apply for extensions every few years
- There is no ongoing copyright cost to maintain your stay
- You are not restricted by a visa’s expiry date for employment or accommodation purposes
- You avoid repeated legal uncertainty or interruptions to work or travel
This is particularly beneficial for families, business owners, and individuals who have spent years under visa regimes that involve significant paperwork, fees, and administrative burden.
Freedom to Reside Anywhere in the UK
ILR allows you to:
- Live in any part of the UK, without restriction
- Change your residence or region without informing the Home Office
- Travel freely between UK regions, with no impact on your immigration status
Can You Lose ILR?
While ILR is indefinite, it can be lost in certain circumstances:
- If you are absent from the UK for more than 2 consecutive years, your status can lapse
- If you commit serious criminal offences or breach immigration laws, the Home Office can revoke your ILR
- Failing to prove continuous residence when applying for British citizenship may cause issues, even with ILR
For this reason, ILR is permanent, but not unconditional. Axis Solicitors regularly advises ILR holders on how to maintain and protect their status, especially those travelling abroad frequently or applying for citizenship.
Full Access to Work and Employment in the UK
One of the benefits of ILR in the UK is that once granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), individuals gain complete freedom to work in the United Kingdom. This means you are no longer tied to a sponsoring employer, specific job role, or sector. You can pursue employment, change jobs, or even set up your own business — without needing further permission from the Home Office.
For many, this is one of the most immediate and life-changing benefits of ILR status.
No Restrictions on Employer or Job Role
Unlike visa holders under routes such as:
- Skilled Worker
- Health and Care Worker
- Student visa
ILR holders face no such conditions. You can:
- Work full-time or part-time
- Take up any job in any sector or skill level
- Hold multiple jobs simultaneously
- Change jobs without updating the Home Office
Benefits of ILR in the UK is that it allows for far greater flexibility in career development and financial independence.
Access to Regulated Professions and Public Sector Roles
Some careers in the UK — especially in the public sector — are not open to those on temporary visas. These include:
- Police officer roles
- Fire and rescue services
- Teaching in state schools
- Civil Service positions
- Armed Forces
ILR holders are eligible to apply for most of these positions
This opens up long-term, secure employment options that are unavailable to those with limited leave to remain.
Self-Employment and Starting a Business
With ILR, you are free to:
- Set up your own limited company
- Register as a sole trader
- Enter into business partnerships
- Operate in any sector without needing a separate visa
You will also have unrestricted access to clients, suppliers, and contracts, without visa-related restrictions.
Employment Protections Equal to British Citizens
ILR holders are legally considered settled persons and therefore benefit from:
- Full protection under UK employment law
- The right to bring claims before employment tribunals
- Equal rights in redundancy, dismissal, minimum wage, and anti-discrimination cases
Your immigration status will not limit your legal rights as an employee or worker in the UK.
Access to Public Funds and Benefits
One of the most significant benefits of ILR in the UK is that a person with limited leave to remain and someone with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) has the ability to access public funds.
While most visa holders are subject to a condition known as “no recourse to public funds” (NRPF) — meaning they are excluded from benefits and financial assistance — ILR holders are exempt from this restriction.
What Are “Public Funds”?
Public funds include a wide range of state-provided benefits and financial support schemes, such as:
- Universal Credit
- Child Benefit
- Housing Benefit
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income Support
- Carer’s Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Council Tax Reduction
- Housing Assistance / Homelessness Support
These benefits of ILR in the UK are listed under Section 115 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, and access is usually denied to those with limited leave unless they are specifically exempt.
ILR holders, however, can apply for and receive these benefits, subject to normal eligibility and means-testing rules.
Why Is This Important?
Many migrants spend years living and working in the UK without the ability to access welfare support. ILR removes this barrier and provides the following benefits of ILR in the UK:
- A financial safety net during periods of unemployment, illness, or family changes
- The ability to receive support for ILR for child born outside UK.
- Access to affordable housing schemes
- Eligibility for social care support, where applicable
This can be life-changing for individuals raising children, recovering from medical issues, or seeking job transitions.
Can ILR Holders Access Benefits of ILR in the UK Immediately?
Yes, once ILR is granted, the no recourse to public funds condition is lifted.
You can apply for public funds from the date your ILR is approved, and this applies regardless of how long you've been in the UK previously. There is no waiting period attached to benefit entitlement linked to immigration status.
Local Authority Support
ILR holders are also eligible for:
- Social housing allocation
- Homelessness prevention schemes
- Local welfare support funds for emergency needs
These forms of assistance are not available to people subject to immigration control — another reason ILR is a critical step for many long-term residents.
Education Rights and Home Fee Status for Higher Education
Some benefits of ILR in the UK are that they unlock equal access to education in the UK — from early years to postgraduate study. For many families, one of the most practical benefits of ILR is the ability to study without restriction and, crucially, to be treated as a home student for tuition and funding purposes.
This distinction can make a major financial difference, especially for young people approaching university age or parents planning long-term educational routes for their children.
School Education: No Restrictions
Children of ILR holders — and ILR holders themselves, if under 18 — are entitled to:
- Free state education across primary and secondary schools
- Priority access to school placements through the local authority
- Pupil premium eligibility
- Special educational needs support through mainstream or specialised provision
Unlike children of many temporary migrants, ILR children are not considered international students and therefore face no additional checks or conditions.
Home Fee Status at Universities
One of the biggest benefits of ILR in the UK for adults and older children is home fee status when applying to UK universities.
What this means:
- ILR holders pay the same tuition fees as British citizens
- This is a substantial saving
- Home fee status applies to undergraduate and postgraduate study
To qualify, students must generally:
- Hold ILR by the first day of the academic year
- Have been ordinarily resident in the UK for 3 years before the course start date
- Have not been in the UK solely for education purposes during that period
Student Finance: Loans and Grants
ILR holders are eligible to apply for:
- Tuition fee loans
- Maintenance loans
- Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
- In some cases, grants or bursaries from universities or charities
This entitlement is usually administered through Student Finance England, SAAS, or the relevant regional body.
This access is not available to most temporary visa holders, which means that ILR opens the door not just to education, but also to financial assistance throughout your academic journey.
Adult Education and Training
ILR also qualifies individuals for:
- Publicly funded adult learning courses
- Apprenticeships and retraining schemes
- Support through Jobcentre Plus and Skills Bootcamps
These opportunities are often closed to those under immigration control, meaning ILR holders can pursue career advancement or retraining on equal footing with UK nationals.
Travel Flexibility and Re-Entry Rights with ILR
Benefits of ILR in the UK is that it also provides holders a secure right to return to the UK after travelling abroad — something that many temporary visa holders do not enjoy. Once you have ILR, you are no longer dependent on a current visa being valid at the time of re-entry, and your ability to travel is significantly improved.
For individuals with international ties, family overseas, or careers that involve frequent travel, this is a highly practical and often underestimated benefit.
Re-Entry Rights: No Reapplication Needed
ILR means that you can:
- Leave and re-enter the UK freely, without applying for a new visa
- Pass through UK border control as a settled person, with no time restriction on stay
- Travel multiple times a year with no limit on the number of entries or exits
This removes the administrative burden that many migrants face when trying to plan work trips, holidays, or family visits while managing visa expiry dates.
Your ILR Biometric copyright (BRP) or copyright (once introduced) acts as your proof of status on re-entry.
Absences from the UK Time Limits
While ILR gives permanent status, it can be lost if you remain outside the UK for too long. The standard rule is:
- If you are outside the UK for more than 2 continuous years, your ILR status will automatically lapse
This means you would no longer have the right to live in the UK and would need to:
- Apply for a Returning Resident visa, or
- Start a new immigration route from scratch, depending on circumstances
Important Clarification:
- Occasional travel, holidays, or even extended family visits will not affect ILR
- The 2-year rule refers to one continuous absence, not cumulative time
Returning Resident Applications
If your ILR has lapsed but you have strong connections to the UK (e.g. property ownership, close family, long-term prior residence), you may apply for re-entry under the Returning Resident route.
You’ll need to prove:
- That you were previously settled
- That you maintained ties to the UK
- That your absence was for compelling or reasonable reasons
This process can be challenging without legal support — Axis Solicitors can help present a strong case to the Home Office where ILR has been lost but re-entry is justified.
International Travel Benefits
While ILR is not equivalent to British citizenship, it often:
- Makes applying for visas to other countries easier
- Strengthens applications for residency or work permits elsewhere, particularly within the EU, Gulf states, and Commonwealth countries
- May offer visa waivers or simplified processing where reciprocal arrangements exist
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does ILR mean I’m a British citizen?
No. Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is not the same as British citizenship. ILR allows you to stay in the UK permanently, but you remain a foreign national under UK law. You will need to apply separately for naturalisation if you wish to become a British citizen.
However, ILR is a required step before most applicants can apply for citizenship, and it provides many of the same rights such as freedom to live, work, and access public services, while maintaining your current nationality.
- How long do I need to hold ILR before applying for British citizenship?
In most cases, you must hold ILR for at least 12 months before applying for naturalisation, unless you are married to a British citizen, in which case you may apply immediately after receiving ILR, subject to other eligibility criteria.
You must also meet the residency requirement:
- No more than 450 days outside the UK in the last 5 years
- No more than 90 days outside the UK in the 12 months before applying
3. Can I lose my ILR status?
Yes. ILR can be revoked or considered lapsed under certain circumstances. The most common reasons are:
- Staying outside the UK for more than 2 continuous years
- Serious criminal convictions
- Fraudulent behaviour during the visa or ILR application process
If your ILR lapses, you may be able to reapply for entry under the Returning Resident route — but this is discretionary and not guaranteed.
4. Do I still need a Biometric copyright (BRP) after getting ILR?
Yes. Currently, ILR holders are issued a Biometric copyright (BRP), which serves as proof of your settled status. You must carry this document when re-entering the UK or proving your immigration status to employers, landlords, or public bodies.
However, the UK is transitioning to a digital immigration system (copyright) by the end of 2025. After this date, physical BRPs will be phased out, and ILR holders will access their status online through a GOV.UK account.
5. Can I bring my family members to the UK if I have ILR?
Yes, but they must apply under the appropriate route — usually under Appendix FM or the Skilled Worker UK dependant route, depending on your immigration background.
Spouses, partners, and children can apply for visas to join you in the UK. After a qualifying period of residence (typically 5 years), they may also be eligible to apply for ILR.
Note: ILR itself does not automatically confer ILR to your family members. They must meet the requirements independently.
6. Is ILR the same as “copyright”?
ILR and “copyright” (PR) are often used interchangeably, but they are not always the same in legal terms.
- ILR applies to non-EU nationals and is granted under UK Immigration Rules
- PR was a specific term used under EU law for EU nationals before Brexit
Since Brexit, most EU citizens now need ILR under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) or another qualifying route. If you were granted PR under old EU rules, you likely had to convert it to ILR before it could be used to support a citizenship application.
7. Can I access NHS healthcare with ILR?
Yes. ILR holders have full access to NHS services without needing to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which is mandatory for temporary visa holders. Once you have ILR, healthcare access is provided on the same basis as for British citizens and permanent residents.
How Axis Solicitors Can Help
At Axis Solicitors, we have years of experience assisting clients across all stages of the ILR journey — from initial eligibility assessments to complex applications, returning resident claims, and naturalisation.
Our immigration solicitors can help you:
- Understand whether you meet the ILR criteria
- Prepare and submit a strong, compliant application
- Avoid refusal based on minor errors or insufficient evidence
- Advise you on family dependants, travel risks, and next steps toward British citizenship
Whether you're applying under the Skilled Worker route, Spouse visa route, Long Residence rule, or any other category — we will guide you every step of the way. Contact us Today.