You can apply for ILR as a dependant partner 28 days before completing 5 years in the UK on a dependant visa. An application for ILR as a dependant visa is made online using the SET (O) application form. The application is submitted in accordance with the requirements as set out in the Immigration Rules. You can apply for ILR as a dependant through Priority or Super Priority Service to get a faster decision on your ILR application.
To apply for ILR as a dependant, the sponsoring work visa holder should either be applying for ILR at the same time or should have already been granted ILR under the work visa category. A person applying for settlement as a dependent partner or dependent child of a work visa holder must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form, “Settle in the UK in various immigration categories: form SET(O)”.
- Page Contents
- Free Immigration Advice
- Eligibility Requirements
- Relationship Requirement
- Age and Care Requirement For A Child
- Qualifying Period Requirement
- Continuous Residence Requirement
- English Language Requirement
- Knowledge Of Life In The UK
- Super Priority Service
- How Can We Help?
- Our Team of Immigration Solicitors
- Book an Appointment
- Our Fixed Fees
- FAQs
Free Immigration Advice for ILR as a Dependant
Our specialist team of dependant visa solicitors can provide a 5-minute one-off free immigration advice session regarding your ILR application as a dependant. Ask a question online to our specialist team of immigration solicitors for free immigration advice online, or book an appointment online for detailed immigration advice and consultation with one of our immigration solicitors concerning your ILR application as a dependant.
Eligibility Requirements for ILR As A dependant
The most common requirements to be met by a person applying for ILR as a dependant include the following:
- Valid application: The applicant must submit a valid ILR application from within the UK as a dependant.
- Immigration status of the sponsor: The applicant must be applying as a partner or child of the main applicant (sponsor) who:
- has made a valid application for ILR in the UK under a work visa route, and that application has not been decided; or
- is settled (holding ILR) or has become a British citizen, provided that the main applicant(the sponsor) had permission on the work visa route when they applied for ILR and the applicant either had permission as their partner or child at that time, or the applicant is applying as a child of a work visa holder and the applicant was born in the UK before the sponsoring main applicant settled.
- Qualifying period requirement: The applicant must have spent a continuous period of 5 years in the UK with permission as a dependent partner of the sponsoring main applicant.
- Continuous residence requirement: The applicant must meet the continuous residence requirement as set out in Appendix Continuous Residence during the qualifying period.
- Suitability requirement: The applicant must not fall for refusal under the Appendix Part Suitability of the Immigration Rules.
- Relationship requirement: The applicant must meet the relationship requirement under the Immigration Rules.
- Age and care requirements for a child: If the applicant is applying as a dependent child, they must be under 18 on the date of application, unless they were last granted permission as the dependent child of their parent or parents. If the applicant is a child aged under 18 on the date of application, there must be suitable arrangements for the child’s care and accommodation in the UK that comply with relevant UK legislation and regulations.
- English language requirement: Unless an exemption applies, the applicant must demonstrate English language proficiency in speaking and listening on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages at least level B1. The applicant must show they meet the English language requirement as specified in Appendix English Language.
- Knowledge of Life in the UK requirement: If the applicant is aged 18 or over on the date of application, they must meet the knowledge of Life in the UK requirement as set out in Appendix KOLL.
- Not be in breach of immigration laws: The applicant must not be:
- in breach of immigration laws, except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
- on immigration bail.
Fast Track Service For ILR as a Dependant
Our specialist team of immigration solicitors can provide a fast-track visa service to get you a decision on your ILR application faster under the Priority Service or Super Priority service. This way, you will get a decision on your ILR application faster and will not have to wait months (sometimes years) for a decision on your application.
Our fast track immigration solicitors can prepare your application faster and submit your ILR application under the Priority Service or Super Priority Service to get you a faster decision on your ILR application.
As specialist immigration solicitors in London, we are registered with the Home Office, UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI), to provide Priority Service or Super Priority Service for your ILR application, whereby the Home Office UKVI will make a decision on your ILR application more quickly. An application submitted through Priority Service is normally decided within 5 working days, and an application submitted through Super Priority Service is normally decided within 24 hours (usually by the end of the next working day).
How Can We Help?
Our specialist team of immigration solicitors can provide expert immigration advice and legal representation on a fixed-fee basis in relation to your ILR application as a dependant. Our fixed fee for your ILR application will cover all the work of our immigration solicitors on your ILR application until a decision is made by the Home Office UKVI on your application. The casework to be carried out by our immigration solicitors in relation to your ILR application will entail the following:
- Advice on requirements: Our immigration solicitors will advise you on the relevant requirements you have to meet for your ILR application to succeed.
- Advised on documents: Our immigration lawyers will prepare and email you a comprehensive list of supporting documents for your ILR application.
- Assessment of documents: Our immigration lawyers will assess your documents to ensure that all documents you provide in support of your application comply with the requirements of the immigration rules.
- Completing the application form: Our immigration lawyers will complete the relevant application form for your ILR application.
- Submitting application through Priority or Super Priority Service: Where possible, our immigration lawyers will submit your online ILR application through priority or super priority service to get a faster decision on your ILR application.
- Booking an appointment with the application centre: After the online submission of your ILR application, our immigration lawyers will book your appointment with the application centre for you to enrol your biometrics.
- Preparing a detailed cover letter: Our specialist immigration solicitors will prepare a detailed cover letter in support of the ILR application, explaining all relevant legal requirements and how the applicant has satisfied them, with the documents submitted with the application.
- Uploading documents online: Before the biometrics enrolment date, our immigration lawyers will upload all supporting documents for the ILR application.
- Follow-up work: Our immigration lawyers will handle all follow-up until the UKVI Home Office decision on the ILR application.
Specialist Immigration Solicitors for ILR as a Dependant
Our immigration solicitors are specialists in ILR applications for a dependant. As one of the best immigration solicitors, we have an excellent track record of helping clients obtain ILR as a dependant. Our highly experienced and fully qualified immigration solicitors can provide fast, friendly, reliable, and fixed-fee immigration advice and legal representation for your ILR as a dependant.
The high quality of UK visa and immigration legal services provided by our best team of immigration lawyers is self-evident from the 5-star Google Reviews rating by 99% of our clients. Our London-based immigration solicitors are available 7 days a week, 365 days a year, offering unwavering dedication and exceptional legal support for a wide range of UK visa and immigration cases. Our team of highly regarded immigration solicitors brings together more than 6 decades of collective, specialised expertise in successfully handling UK visa and immigration applications.
Meet Our Team of Immigration Solicitors in London
At Premium Solicitors, our strength lies in the expertise, dedication, and unwavering commitment of our immigration solicitors in London. We understand that immigration matters are life-changing events, and our team is here to guide you through every step of the ILR process with professionalism and care.
Our team comprises a diverse group of immigration solicitors, each bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table. We are united by a shared goal: to deliver the highest level of legal support and advocacy tailored to your immigration needs.
Arshad Mahmood
Specialist UK Immigration Solicitor
Tushita Scalzullo
Specialist UK Immigration Solicitor
Nargis Khodadady
Specialist UK Immigration Solicitor
Asad Malik
Specialist UK Immigration Solicitor
Alina Rizvi
Specialist UK Immigration Solicitor
Victoria Gbenoba
Specialist UK Immigration Solicitor
Nazamah Munir Akhtar
Immigration SolicitorLanguages Spoken By Our Team
At Premium Solicitors, we prioritise clear and effective communication in all legal matters. Our team of specialist solicitors offers multilingual legal services, ensuring clients receive accurate advice in a language they fully understand.
By removing language barriers, we help minimise misunderstandings and handle your case with clarity and confidence.
Languages we speak:
English | Urdu | Punjabi | Hindi | Farsi | Italian | German | Marathi
Schedule Your Consultation With Our Immigration Solicitors
Are you seeking expert immigration advice and consultation from our highly experienced and qualified team of immigration solicitors and lawyers in London? It's easy to secure an appointment with our dedicated ILR specialists. Our expert team of immigration solicitors and advisors can provide detailed immigration advice and consultation, face-to-face in our offices in London and Birmingham or virtually via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, or Phone. Book your appointment today using the appointment booking link provided below:
Our immigration lawyers are ready to assist you with your application for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as a dependant. Book your appointment today for personalised guidance and support.
Our Fixed Fees for ILR as a Dependant
Our fixed fees for ILR application are as given in the fee table below:
| Our Service | Our Fixed Fees Range |
| Full service for ILR as a dependant via the Priority or Super Priority Service to cover all our work until the decision on your ILR application | From £1,000 + VAT to £1,500 + VAT |
Our fixed fee will depend on the complexity of the matter and the volume of work involved in your ILR application. In addition to our fixed fee for assisting you with your ILR application, you must pay the Home Office UKVI fees separately.
Flexible Payment Plan
We offer flexible payment options, allowing you to pay your agreed fixed fee in two instalments. We will require you to pay half of the agreed fixed fee at the time of initial instructions when we start working on your matter, and the remaining half at the time of online submission of your ILR application.
FAQs - ILR as a Dependant
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as a dependant allows the partner or child of a person who has settled in the UK or is applying for settlement to obtain permanent residence in the UK. Once granted ILR, a dependant can live, work, and study in the UK without immigration restrictions and may later become eligible to apply for British citizenship.
You may be eligible to apply for ILR as a dependant if you are:
- A spouse or civil partner of a qualifying migrant;
- An unmarried partner in a genuine and subsisting relationship;
- A dependant child under 18 years of age; or
- A dependant child over 18 who was previously granted leave as a dependant child and continues to meet the dependency requirements.
Yes. In many immigration categories, dependants can apply for ILR at the same time as the main visa holder. In most dependent visa categories, the dependent partner can only apply for ILR after completing a 5-year qualifying period of residence in the UK with leave to remain as a dependent partner. Alternatively, a dependant may apply after the main applicant has already obtained settlement, provided the relevant immigration requirements, including the qualifying residence period, are met.
With the exceptions of a few, most dependent partners on work-related routes must complete a continuous qualifying period of 5 years in the UK before becoming eligible for ILR. The exact requirements may vary depending on the immigration route of the main applicant.
Generally, only the time spent in the UK with permission as a dependant under the relevant immigration route counts towards the dependant settlement qualifying period. Time spent on other visa categories may not be counted unless permitted under specific immigration rules.
Yes. A dependent partner of a Skilled Worker is typically eligible for ILR after completing the required 5-year qualifying period and meeting the relationship, residence, and suitability requirements. The dependant must normally have held permission as a dependant partner or dependant child immediately before applying.
A dependant partner must demonstrate that the relationship with the main applicant remains genuine and subsisting. Married couples, civil partners, and qualifying unmarried partners must continue to live together and intend to remain together permanently in the UK.
Yes. Most dependant partners aged between 18 and 64 applying for ILR must pass the Life in the UK Test unless they qualify for an exemption. This is a mandatory settlement requirement.
Yes. Unless exempt, dependant partners applying for ILR must demonstrate English language ability at the required level through an approved English language test, an eligible degree qualification, or another accepted method.
With a few exceptions, most dependent partners applying for ILR as a dependent partner of a work visa holder must be absent for more than 180 days in any 12-month period of the qualifying residence period.
Yes. A dependant child over 18 may still qualify for ILR if they were previously granted leave as a dependant child before reaching adulthood and continue to be financially and emotionally dependent on their parent.
Yes. A dependant may still be eligible for ILR where the main applicant has become a British citizen, provided the main applicant previously obtained settlement through the qualifying immigration route and the dependant meets all other requirements.
The documents required will depend on the immigration category and the applicant's circumstances, but commonly include:
- Current passport and immigration status documents;
- Evidence of continuous residence in the UK;
- Marriage certificate or relationship evidence;
- Proof of cohabitation;
- Life in the UK Test pass notification;
- English language qualification;
- Children's birth certificates (where applicable); and
- Supporting evidence showing ongoing dependency and family life.
The Home Office application fee for ILR is subject to change. Applicants should check the latest Home Office fees before applying. Dependants applying for settlement are generally required to pay the same settlement application fee as the main applicant.
Once ILR is granted, the dependant can:
- Live in the UK permanently;
- Work without restrictions;
- Study without immigration limitations;
- Access eligible public services and benefits; and
- Apply for British citizenship when eligible.
If your application for ILR as a dependant is refused by the UKVI, you can apply for an Administrative Review of the refusal decision.
Yes, you can re-apply for ILR as a dependant within 14 days if your ILR application is refused by the Home Office UKVI.
Premium Solicitors are specialist UK immigration solicitors with extensive experience in settlement and British citizenship applications. Our expert immigration solicitors can assess your eligibility, prepare a strong ILR application, review supporting documents, address complex residence and relationship issues, and represent you throughout the entire settlement process until a decision is made by the Home Office.