Indefinite leave to remain (permission to stay as a refugee, humanitarian protection or Discretionary Leave)
Eligibility
You must have a residence card if you have protection status (either permission to stay as a refugee or person with humanitarian protection).
If you have Discretionary Leave you must still meet the eligibility criteria for it. Check your documents to see what your criteria are.
The eligibility criteria are different if you’re applying as an adult dependent relative.
Time in the UK
You can apply after 5 years in the UK with protection status (you either have permission to stay as a refugee or person with humanitarian protection).
If you have Discretionary Leave, you can apply after:
- 6 years if you were first given Discretionary Leave on or before 8 July 2012
- 10 years if you were first given Discretionary Leave from 9 July 2012