You can apply for Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) from outside the UK as an HM Armed Forces Leaver within 2 years of your discharge date, unless applying on medical discharge grounds. Appendix HM Armed Forces provides that an applicant seeking to come to the UK must apply for and obtain entry clearance as a HM Armed Forces service leaver before they arrive in the UK.
An application for Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) from outside the UK must be made online on the gov.uk website on the specified form “VAF AF”. To succeed in the application, the applicant must meet all the requirements set out in Appendix HM of the Immigration Rules. For the purpose of this Appendix, “HM Armed Forces” means Regular service personnel in the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the Army (including the Brigade of Gurkhas) and the Royal Air Force, and does not include the Reserve forces.
Our team of specialist immigration solicitors and lawyers can represent you in your application for Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) from outside the UK as an HM Armed Forces Leaver. As one of the best UK visa solicitors, we have an excellent track record of successfully helping clients with entry clearance applications for ILE as Service Leavers. Our highly experienced and fully qualified UK visa solicitors can provide fast, friendly, reliable and fixed-fee immigration advice and legal representation for your entry clearance application for ILE from outside the UK.
The UK visa solicitors at Premium Solicitors are experts in dealing with UK visa entry clearance applications, and the high quality of our legal services for these applications is self-evident from the 5-star Google Reviews rating by 99% of our clients.
Free Immigration Advice for ILE as an HM Armed Forces Service Leaver
Our specialist team of UK visa and immigration solicitors can provide one-off free immigration advice online regarding your entry clearance application for Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) from outside the UK as an HM Armed Forces Leaver. 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 expert immigration solicitors concerning your UK visa entry clearance application for Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) as a Service Leaver.
What is the process for ILE application as a Service Leaver?
The step-by-step process to apply for entry clearance for ILE as a service leaver from outside the UK is as explained below:
- Complete the application form online for ILE as a service leaver on the gov.uk website on the specified form “VAF AF”;
- Submit your completed application form for ILE as a service leaver online by paying the application fee.
- Book an appointment with the UK visa application centre to enrol your biometrics and hand over your passport so that your entry clearance for ILE as a service leaver can be processed.
- Upload all supporting documents online in PDF format before you attend your biometrics enrolment appointment to be considered in support of your entry clearance application.
- Attend your biometrics enrolment appointment and await a decision on your entry clearance application.
What is the processing time for an ILE application as a Service Leaver?
The UK visa entry clearance is normally processed and decided by the UKVI within 60 working days under the standard service and within 30 working days under the Priority Service. However, if your matter is complex and the UKVI needs to make further enquiries to process your application, it may take longer than the standard time.
You can get expert immigration advice from specialist immigration solicitors and lawyers concerning your entry clearance application if your matter is complex and not straightforward.
What are the requirements for ILE as a Service Leaver?
An applicant seeking to come to the UK must apply for and obtain entry clearance as a HM Armed Forces service leaver before they arrive in the UK. An applicant applying for UK visa entry clearance from outside the UK for ILE as a service leaver should meet the following eligibility requirements of the relevant UK Immigration Rules:
Valid Entry Clearance Application: The applicant must submit a valid entry clearance application for UK visa entry clearance from outside the UK.
Suitability Requirement: The applicant must satisfy the suitability requirements, and the entry clearance application should not fall for refusal on suitability grounds.
Age Requirement: The applicant must be aged 18 or over on the date of application.
Military Service Requirement: The applicant must have either
- completed at least 4 years’ reckonable service in HM Armed Forces; or
- (b) met the medical discharge requirement in AF 6.1. or AF 6.2 of Appendix HM Armed Forces of the Immigration Rules.
Tuberculosis Test Certificate: An applicant must, if Appendix Tuberculosis applies, provide a valid medical certificate confirming that they have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that this tuberculosis is not present in them.
Want your eligibility for UK visa to be assessed by our team of specialist immigration solicitors? Book an appointment online and our specialist immigration solicitors will fully assess your eligibility for UK visa entry clearance in line with the requirements of UK immigration rules and your individual personal circumstances.
What is the Military Service requirement?
To succeed in an entry clearance application for ILE as a Service Leaver, the applicant must have either:
- completed at least 4 years’ reckonable service in HM Armed Forces; or
- met the medical discharge requirement in AF 6.1. or AF 6.2.
According to paragraph AF 5.2 of Appendix HM Armed Forces of the Immigration Rules, “Reckonable service” means service which counts towards an applicant’s pension, and it starts from the first day of paid service in HM Armed Forces, if over 18 on that date, or from their 18th birthday, but does not include time when the applicant is:
- absent without leave (AWOL); or
- detained in military detention; or
- detained and serving a sentence in one of His Majesty’s Prisons (HMP), Young Offenders Institutions (YOI) or Youth Justice Board establishments (YJB); or
- on a career break; or
- on special unpaid leave, or
- on a career intermission; or
- on secondment; or
- on additional maternity leave or adoption leave over 40 weeks; or
- on additional shared parental leave over 40 weeks; or
- on unpaid parental leave.
Also, paragraph AF 5.3 of the Appendix HM Armed Forces require that on the date of application:
- the applicant must be within 18 weeks of their discharge date; or
- the applicant must have been discharged from HM Armed Forces for less than 2 years; or
- in the case of an applicant who was medically discharged more than 2 years before the date of application, new information regarding their medical prognosis is being considered by the decision maker; or
- the applicant must have last been granted entry clearance or permission to stay as an HM Armed Forces service leaver.
What is the Medical Discharge requirement?
The medical discharge requirement for settlement as an HM Armed Forces service leaver is met if the applicant has been medically discharged from HM Armed Forces and either:
- the cause of the medical discharge was attributable to deployment on operations; or
- the cause of medical discharge was attributable to service, and it is appropriate to grant settlement following consideration of:
- the seriousness of the illness or injury; and
- the need for further medical treatment in relation to the illness or injury and the availability of such medical treatment in the applicant’s country of origin; and
- the prognosis for recovery, including whether the injury or illness will affect the applicant’s ability to support themselves in their country of origin; and
- the length of reckonable service in HM Armed Forces at the time of the applicant’s medical discharge.
How can I challenge the refusal of my application for ILE as a Service Leaver?
If your entry clearance application for ILE as a service leaver is refused and you believe that the reasons for refusal are unjustified and not in accordance with relevant laws and facts, you can file an Administrative Review (AR) of the refusal decision within 28 days. Our specialist team of immigration solicitors can provide the required legal advice and representation for your Administrative Review (AR) of the refusal of your ILE application as a service leaver.
Our team of specialist immigration lawyers can assess the refusal decision of your entry clearance application free of cost to advise you whether or not you have any valid grounds to challenge the refusal of your application. If our experienced team of immigration solicitors and lawyers find that there are valid grounds to challenge the refusal of your application through an Administrative Review, we will quote a fixed fee to provide legal representation for challenging the refusal of your application.
If you want a free assessment of the reasons for your application refusal, email the refusal letter to
How can our immigration solicitors and lawyers help?
Our specialist team of UK visa solicitors can provide expert immigration advice and legal representation on a fixed fee basis concerning your entry clearance application for ILE as a service leaver. Our fixed fee for your UK visa entry clearance application will cover all the work of our UK visa solicitors on the application until a decision is made by the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) on your application. The casework to be carried out by our UK visa solicitors regarding your entry clearance application will entail the following:
Advice on Requirements: Our UK visa solicitors will advise you on the relevant requirements you must meet for your entry clearance application to succeed.
Advice on Documents: Our UK visa solicitors will prepare and email you a comprehensive list of supporting documents to be submitted in support of your application for ILE as a service leaver.
Assessment of Documents: Our UK visa solicitors will assess your documents to ensure that all the documents you provide in support of your entry clearance application comply with the requirements of the relevant Immigration Rules and the UKVI guidance.
Completing Application Form: Our UK visa solicitors will complete the relevant application form online for your entry clearance application for ILE as a service leaver.
Submitting Application Through Priority Service: Where possible, our UK visa solicitors will submit your online entry clearance application through priority visa service to get a faster decision on your application.
Booking Biometrics Appointment: After we have submitted your entry clearance application online, our UK visa solicitors will book an appointment with the application centre for you to enrol your biometrics.
Preparing a Detailed Cover Letter: Our specialist UK visa solicitors will prepare a detailed cover letter supporting the entry clearance application to explain that all the relevant legal requirements have been satisfied for the application's approval.
Uploading Documents Online: Before the biometrics enrolment date, our UK visa solicitors will upload all the supporting documents to be considered for the entry clearance application.
Follow-Up Work: Our UK visa solicitors will carry out all the follow-up work until the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) decides on the UK visa entry clearance application.
Why choose Premium Solicitors for ILE application as a service leaver?
Our team of immigration solicitors specialises in dealing with entry clearance applications for ILE as service leavers. Here are several reasons why you should choose our immigration solicitors and lawyers to handle your entry clearance application for ILE as a service leaver:
Expertise: Our team possesses a deep understanding of the constantly evolving immigration laws and regulations in the UK. We stay abreast of the latest developments to ensure that your case is handled with the highest level of expertise. All aspects of your UK visa entry clearance application will be managed by our specialist team of fully qualified and experienced immigration solicitors who have extensive experience in dealing with UK visa entry clearance applications from outside the UK.
Personalised Service: We recognise that each immigration case is unique. Therefore, we offer personalised solutions tailored to your specific circumstances.
Results-Driven Approach: Our primary goal is to achieve positive outcomes for our clients. We work tirelessly to maximise your chances of success in your UK visa entry clearance.
Client-Centred Care: Your peace of mind is our priority. We provide clear communication, regular updates, and support throughout your immigration journey.
Remote Legal Services: Our immigration solicitors can provide the required legal services for your UK visa entry clearance application remotely from our offices in London. Utilising modern technology, our specialist immigration solicitors and lawyers can handle your UK visa entry clearance application remotely, eliminating the need for you to visit our offices. While we are happy to welcome clients into our offices, if preferred, we are proud to offer remote legal services for your UK visa entry clearance application to save you time and travel costs.
Open 7 Days A Week: We take pride in offering dedicated immigration advice and legal representation for UK visa entry clearance applications, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Fast Track Visa Service: Our team of fast-track immigration solicitors can prepare and submit your UK visa entry clearance application through Priority or Super Priority Service for a faster decision on your application.
Fixed Fees With Payment Plan: Our immigration solicitors and lawyers charge reasonable and affordable fixed fees for entry clearance applications. We offer the option to pay our fixed fee in two instalments: half of the agreed fixed fee is due when we commence our work, and the remaining half is payable when we have fully prepared your UK visa entry clearance application and it is ready for submission to the Home Office UKVI.
Choose our immigration solicitors in London for reliable and effective legal support for your clearance application for Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) as a service leaver.
How much does your application cost?
The costs associated with your entry clearance application when applying from outside the UK are outlined below:
Our Fixed Fees for Your Entry Clearance Application
Our fixed fee for your entry clearance application ranges from £1,000 to £1,500 (VAT not applicable). Our fixed fee will cover all our work on your application including advising on documents, checking your documents, completing the application form and submitting the application online, booking an appointment for biometrics enrolment, preparing a cover letter in support of the application, uploading all supporting documents to be considered in support of the application, and carrying out all other follow up work until decision by the Home Office UKVI on your application.
Our fixed fee will depend on the complexity of your case and the volume of work involved in your application. You will make an initial payment of half our fee when we start working on your matter, and the remaining half is due once we have fully prepared the application and it is ready for submission.
Unable to afford the cost of the full service? You have the option to book an appointment online for our one-off immigration advice and consultation service for a fixed fee of £100 (VAT not applicable) or our immigration document checking service for a fixed fee of £300 (VAT not applicable).
UKVI Fees for Your Entry Clearance Application
In addition to our fixed fee for assisting you with your application, you must pay the Home Office UKVI fees separately.
How do you instruct us regarding your ILE application as a service leaver?
You can instruct immigration solicitors in London at Premium Solicitors for your entry clearance application for ILE as a service leaver by getting in contact with us using one of the following means of contact:
Call Us: 0044 20 3930 3900
Email Us:
Complete Enquiry Form: Send your enquiry through our website enquiry form
Book An Appointment Online: You can book an appointment online with one of our specialist immigration solicitors in London for detailed immigration advice and consultation regarding your UK visa entry clearance.
What are our other related services?
Our team of specialist UK visa solicitors can provide the following other related legal services:
- Members Of HM Armed Forces & Their Family Members
- HM Armed Forces Service Leavers
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as an HM Armed Forces Service Leaver
- Partner of a Member of HM Armed Forces
- Child of a Member of HM Armed Forces
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The following are the various Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about entry clearance applications for Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) as a Service Leaver:
