How to Apply for a PR Visa for the UK
A permanent resident, or PR, visa would allow someone who is not a citizen of the United Kingdom to live there indefinitely. This option is not available to every person legally living in the UK, and even those who do apply for a PR may have to wait years to get one. The process can be long, frustrating and expensive.
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Things You'll Need
- Application
- Various personal documents, depending on type of application
- Application fee- usually between £820 and £1,020
- "Life in the UK Test" fee- £32.28
- Black pen
Instructions
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Applying for a Permanent Residence Visa in the United Kingdom
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Whether you qualify for a permanent residence visa in the UK can be dependent on the type of visa you currently have, but generally you must have legally lived in the UK for two and five years before you are eligible for permanent residence. An example of an exception: Certain long-term residents may have to wait as long as 14 years, and those who are married to a citizen of the UK may have to wait as little as two.
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Fill out your visa application, in block capital letters and using a black pen. There are several applications based on what type of visa you have, but the majority of applications for permanent residence will either need to fill out Form SET(M), which is for those applying as the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen, or Form SET(O), which is for those applying under many different types of visas and types of work. Form SET(O) is used for any applicant who does not fit into any other visa category. There are also applications for victims of domestic violence---Form SET(DV)---those applying as the family member of a permanent resident in the UK---Form SET(F)---and several other country-specific forms. A link to these forms, and explanations of their requirements, can be found in the resources section at the end of this article.
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Gather the necessary documents of identification. There are many types of documents that may be required, depending on which application you are filling out and what your job is. These requirements are listed in your specific application.
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Meet the language requirements. Native English speakers will not have to take a language test, but non-native English speakers must pass the English for Speakers of Other Languages course. There are several locations that offer these courses. Any applicant that is under 18 or over 65, or any applicant who has a permanent mental or physical disability that prevents them from attending language classes or learning another language, is exempt from the language requirements.
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Among the requirements for knowledge of life in the United Kingdom is completing the "Life in the UK test," which consists of 24 multiple-choice questions. The cost of the test is £33.28. Applicants under 18 or over 65 do not have to take this test.
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Send in your application, all required documents and your fee. The fee will change depending on what type of visa you are applying under, and whether you mail the application or apply in person. All new permanent residence applications, if mailed, must include £820. Applicants with form SET(M), SET(O), or SET(F) may apply in person at a public inquiry office for the fee of £1,020. The fee payment may be made by postal order, personal check, a banker's draft, credit card (Visa, Electron or Mastercard only), debit card (Delta, Maestro or Solo only), or, if applying in person, cash.
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Tips & Warnings
As with all visa applications, give yourself plenty of time to complete the application, as well as plenty of time for your application to be reviewed.
