INDEFINITE LEAVE TO REMAIN FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR ABUSE

INDEFINITE LEAVE TO REMAIN FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR ABUSE

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The United Kingdom’s indefinite leave to remain allows an individual to settle in the UK. It basically gives the right to study, work or live in the UK without having any validity period. Not only can you stay in the UK for as long as you want and do all the permitted activities the indefinite leave to remain holder can also apply for benefits arising out of the public funds provided that the applicant is eligible for those. Having indefinite leave to remain also gets you closer to applying for British Nationality.

If you are in the United Kingdom on a visa and while you are here there is a relationship breakdown because of either abuse in the relationship or domestic violence from the partner or the partner’s family member. This can be in any form for example it could be emotional, psychological or financial. This can be applied only by individuals whose partners are either British citizen, a person having settled status in the UK or if they are a member of the UK armed forces who has served for at least for a period of 4 years.

The application needs for this should be made on the as soon as the relationship breaks down and the applicant should not wait until the visa on which the applicant is expires. The application can also include if there are any children who are along with the applicant. However they should meet the eligibility requirements.

Besides the applicant should also be in the United Kingdom while making the application. The application for the indefinite leave to remain under this category is ￡2,404. This is not required if the applicant cannot financially support oneself. But this is to be proved through the circumstances and certain evidences. The applicant might need to prove the knowledge of English.

Further, the applicant also needs to clear the life in the UK test. This test is required if the applicant is aged between 18 to 64 years. Depending upon the circumstances additional documents or evidences might be required from the applicant for example proving the knowledge of English or financial position in the UK.

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Relevant information and supporting documents need to be submitted along with application. Once the necessary fees are paid the application will be processed. As part of the process the applicant is also required to submit the biometric information. A decision on the application can take up to 6 months. But there could be delays due to various factors. Such factors could be time needed to verify the documents submitted, personal circumstances depending on the matter and so on.

Once the application is approved the benefits the holder gets include studying, working or even running a business in the UK without any restrictions. Further the applicant can also make use of the public services and is entitled for state pension.

Kindly, note if you’re not eligible for this then you could be eligible for visa extension, another type of visa or immigration route to continue your stay in the UK. To know more about this and the UK visas, its suitability to your circumstances you can consult the ICS legal advisors. This will help you know your possible options and correct steps forward.