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You can apply for indefinite leave to remain if you’re in the UK on a:

• Turkish Worker visa
• Turkish Businessperson visa

Indefinite leave to remain is how you settle in the UK. It’s also called ‘settlement’. It gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible. You can use it to apply for British citizenship.

Your family members (‘dependants’) can also apply for indefinite leave to remain, if they’re eligible.

Fees and how long it takes

It costs £3,029 for each person applying. You’ll each need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken - there’s no fee for this.

You’ll usually get a decision within 6 months.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

To be eligible to settle in the UK, you must have:

• met the knowledge of language requirement
• passed the Life in the UK test
• been living and working in the UK for the last 5 years without receiving public funds
• spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months in the last 5 years

You must continue to run a business if you’re on a Turkish Businessperson visa.

If you’re not eligible using your Turkish Worker or Turkish Businessperson visa, there are other ways to apply for indefinite leave to remain.

Reasons your application might be refused

Your application might be refused if, for example, you’ve:

• got a criminal record in the UK or another country
• provided false or incomplete information to the Home Office
• broken UK immigration law

You can find a full list of reasons why applications can be refused.

You must provide:

• a current passport or other valid travel identification
• previous passports showing you’ve been living legally in the UK for the past 5 years - if your current passport does not show this
• the unique reference code that proves you passed the English language requirement

If you’re a Turkish Businessperson

You’ll also need to prove that you’re continuing to run a business. You might need to provide documents, such as:

• invoices showing work done
• business bank statements
• proof of National Insurance contributions - if appropriate
• advertising materials
• proof of renting or having purchased business premises

Your family members (‘dependants’) can also apply to settle or extend their visa if they are:

• your partner (husband, wife, civil partner or the person you’ve been in a genuine relationship with for 5 years before applying to settle)
• your child under 21 or in limited circumstances over 21 (including children born in the UK)

Partners applying for indefinite leave to remain

If your partner is applying for indefinite leave to remain, they must:

• have been granted leave as your dependant
• have lived in the UK with you for a continuous period of 5 years
• have met the knowledge of language and Life in the UK test

Partners applying to extend their visa

If you already have indefinite leave to remain, but your partner has not been here for 5 years on your visa they can apply to extend their visa.

For your partner to qualify, they must:

• have last been granted entry clearance or leave to remain as your dependant
• be living together with you in a genuine relationship
• be living in suitable accommodation which you maintain without access to public funds

Children applying for indefinite leave to remain

For your children or child to apply for indefinite leave to remain, they must:

• have been granted leave as your dependant
• apply at the same time as both parents, or where both parents are settled already
• not be married, in a civil partnership, have formed an independent family unit or be leading an independent life
• have met the knowledge of language requirement and Life in the UK test - if they’re 18 or over

Your child may also be able to apply if one of the following applies:

• you’re the child’s only living parent
• you have sole responsibility for them
• there are serious reasons to let your child stay in the UK, for example they have a serious illness
• their other parent is in the UK legally

If you already have indefinite leave to remain, your child may be eligible to apply if their other parent is extending a Turkish visa.

Documents your family need to provide

Each family member must provide:

• a current passport or other valid travel identification
• 2 passport size colour photographs
• proof of your relationship, for example a marriage or birth certificate, council tax bills or bank statements
• proof they will live permanently with you, for example letters from your child’s school or their doctor
• proof that you have sole responsibility for any children aged under 21 if the other parent will not be in the UK (for example, written permission or relevant legal documents)

You must . You must be in the UK to apply.

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Get help to apply online

You can get help with completing the online form if you:

• do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device
• do not have internet access

You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK.

You’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo).

You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents. You can:

• upload them into the online service
• have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment

Any children aged 6 or over must provide biometric information if you’re applying for them on your form.

Getting a decision

You’ll usually get a decision within 6 months.

You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example:

• if your supporting documents need to be verified
• if you need to attend an interview
• because of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

If your application is approved

You can do the following:

• work
• run a business
• study
• use public services, such as healthcare and schools
• apply for public funds (benefits) and pensions
• apply for British citizenship, usually after a minimum of 12 months

If you stay outside of the UK for 2 years

You can lose your indefinite leave to remain if you stay outside the UK for 2 or more years at a time. You may need to apply before you can return to the UK.