Indefinite leave to remain (permission to stay as a refugee, humanitarian protection or Discretionary Leave)
Apply
You should apply during the last month of your current permission to be in the UK.
You must apply online. The form you use depends on your situation.
Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.
You’ll be told what documents you need to provide when you apply. You’ll usually get a decision within 6 months.
If you have protection status (permission to stay as a refugee or person with humanitarian protection)
Apply as someone with protection status.
If your partner or children are eligible to apply, the application form will tell you if you can include them in your own application. If you cannot include them, they’ll need to apply separately.
If your partner and children need to apply separately
They can:
- apply as the partner of someone with refugee status or humanitarian protection
- apply as the child of someone with refugee status or humanitarian protection
Your partner and children will need to provide biometric information (usually fingerprints and a photo) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) point.
Proving your identity
As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity.
You’ll either:
-
use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
-
give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) point
If you’re applying for your partner and children they’ll need to provide biometric information. You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.
You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents. You can upload them to the online service, or if you’re attending a UKVCAS service point you can have them scanned at your appointment.
If you have Discretionary Leave
The form you use to apply depends on why you got Discretionary Leave.
You either:
It costs £2,885 for each person applying.
Providing biometric information and supporting documents
When you apply, you’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your biometric information (usually your fingerprints and a photo).
If you’re applying for your partner and children they’ll also need to provide biometric information.
You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents. You can:
- upload them to the online service
- have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment
Get a faster decision on your application
If you got Discretionary Leave after your non-asylum application was refused, you can choose to use the super priority service to apply for indefinite leave to remain.
It costs an extra £1,000 to use this service. You’ll get a decision either:
- by the end of the next working day after providing your biometric information, if your appointment is on a weekday
- 2 working days after providing your biometric information, if your appointment is at the weekend
Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.
Get help to apply online
You can get help with completing the online form if you:
- do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device
- do not have internet access
You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK.
You cannot get immigration advice through this service.