UK Immigration News

Changes to Application for Settlement from inside the UK

The length of time family members must be in the UK before applying for settlement has changed due to new Immigration Rules which took effect on 9 July 2012.

Changes to the UK Immigration rules change the length of time that immigrants under family routes must be in the UK before sending their application for settlement.

The Rules apply to partners of:

• British citizens;
• someone settled in the UK;
• someone in the UK with refugee leave; or
• someone in the UK with humanitarian protection.

Immigrants need to be in the UK for 2 years before applying for settlement if they were granted permission to live in the UK on or before 8 July 2012.

Immigrants need to be in the UK for 5 years before applying for settlement if they were granted permission for the 5-year family route on or after 9 July 2012. They will initially be given indefinite leave to enter the UK for 2 and a half years and then they can apply for another period of 2 and a half years.

Immigrants need to be in the UK for 10 years before applying for settlement if they were granted permission for the 10-year family route or the 10-year private life route on or after 9 July 2012. They will also initially be given indefinite leave to enter the UK for 2 and a half years and then can apply for three more periods of 2 and a half years.

If you are interested in UK Visas, contact Migration Expert for information and advice on which visa is best suited to you. You can also try our visa eligibility assessment to see if you are eligible to apply for a visa to the UK.