Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain with a Turkish Business Person Visa (ILR)

Are you a Turkish Business Person visa holder in the UK looking to settle permanently? After five years of living and working in the UK, you may be eligible to submit an application for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). This status allows you the freedom to stay in the UK as long as you wish, access work and study opportunities, and, if qualified, apply for state benefits.

Key Requirements for ILR Application

To ensure a smooth application process, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the requirements for applying for ILR in the UK:

• Residency: You must have lived in the UK continuously for the required qualifying period of five years.

• No Criminal Convictions: Maintain a clear record with no criminal offenses or breaches of immigration law.

• Life in the UK Test: Passing this test is mandatory.

• English Language Proficiency: To demonstrate your knowledge of the English language, proof at a B1, B2, C1, or C2 level is required.

• Duration Outside the UK: You must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any year during the qualifying period.

• Financial Requirements: Depending on your visa, you may need to meet specific salary or financial benchmarks.

• Documentation: Provide documents verifying your income, business operations, residence, and any other relevant information.

Eligibility Criteria

You can apply for ILR up to 28 days before completing your five years on a valid visa. Continuous residency is crucial during this time. Do not wait until your current visa expires. If your visa expires before you can apply for indefinite leave to remain, you’ll need to renew it first.

Overview of ILR Application

You’re eligible for ILR if you hold a Turkish Business Person visa. This status—often referred to as ‘settlement’—grants you the right to live, work, and study in the UK indefinitely and can pave the way for British citizenship. Your family members (dependants) can also apply if they meet the necessary criteria.

Costs and Processing Time

The ILR application fee is £2,885 per applicant, and biometric information collection (fingerprints and a photo) incurs no additional cost. If your partner is applying to extend their visa, the fee is £1,258. Typically, you can expect a decision within 6 months. It’s crucial to remain in the UK during the application process, as traveling outside could result in the withdrawal of your application.

Supporting Documents

As part of your application, you will need to provide a variety of documents, including but not limited to:

• Current passport or valid travel identification

• Previous passports showing your legal residency in the UK

• Unique reference code proving you passed the English language requirement

For Turkish Business Person visa holders specifically, additional documentation to verify your ongoing business operations may include:

• Invoices for work completed

• Business bank statements

• Proof of National Insurance contributions

• Advertising materials

• Proof of renting or owning business premises

  
  

Family Member Applications

Your dependants can apply for ILR as well if they are:

• Your partner (spouse, civil partner, or someone you’ve been in a committed relationship with for at least 5 years)

• Your child under 21 (or over 21 in limited circumstances)

  
  

Application Process

To initiate your ILR application, you must apply online while in the UK. After submission, you will schedule an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) point to provide your biometric information and submit supporting documents.

Your Path to Permanent Residency

It’s essential to keep in mind that if you are outside the UK for two continuous years, you may lose your Indefinite Leave to Remain status.

Why Choose English Visa Life?

Follow this link to apply yourself;

Turkish Business Person ILR

Our team, founded by an ex-British diplomat to Turkey now residing in Ankara, is dedicated to providing personalised assistance. While we'd love to offer free consultations to everyone, it’s unfortunately not feasible. Instead, we focus our efforts on offering detailed advice and support tailored to your unique circumstances.

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The information in this blog is for general information purposes only, and should not be taken as legal advice. Detailed and comprehensive research is completed but once published any commentary, quotes, societal direction and legal references may not be remain current and accurate. Subsequently, English Visa Life cannot accept responsibility for loss which may arise from information contained in this blog. For assistance in translating and certifying necessary documents, in addition to accurately reflecting your responses in English and cataloguing supporting documents please don’t hesitate to contact us to assist in your application. English Visa Life is operating under a registered trader license, Izmir, Turkey.