Today the UK is one of the most popular destinations for people from around the globe with the hopes of settling down in the country. If this is your dream or passion, this article would serve as a guide for you. We would be looking at everything you need to know about how to get a UK green card.
The process of this can be long-term, but it’s definitely worth it. We will discuss the eligibility criteria, the application process, and the different areas through which you can apply.
- UK Green Card
- Who can apply for a UK Green Card?
- What is ILR?
- Who can apply for an ILR?
- Eligibility Requirements
- Cost
- Documentation
- How to Apply
UK Green Card
A UK Green Card provides an individual who wants to live and work in the UK the opportunity to do so. Such a person would have to apply and receive a document that allows him/her to live and work indefinitely in the UK.
This is, however, provided he/she has met certain criteria that come with applying and receiving a UK Green Card.
According to the current immigration rules, this privilege is given to people who don’t already have the Right to Abode naturally. However, if you spend more than 2 years outside the UK, your UK Green Card can lapse.
Who can apply for a UK Green Card?
In order to get UK green cards, you must have been living in the UK for at least 5 years under the following requirements:
- Tier 1 and Tier 2 visa system
- Investors
- International students
- Diplomat
- Domestic worker working in the UK
- Businessman/woman
- Oversees government employee
- UK ancestry
- CEO of an oversees firm
- HSMP
Aside from the above criteria, you can apply for UK green cards if you have a family member living in the UK and who is a British citizen.
What is ILR?
ILR meaning indefinite leave to remain is kind of similar to UK green cards. This grants immigrant the opportunity to live, study and work in the UK without any time limits.
Who can apply for an ILR?
The people who can apply for an ILR are the same categories of people who can apply for a UK green card. As long as you came into the country under the Tier 1 or Tier 2 visa category, you are eligible to apply for an ILR.
Eligibility Requirements
In this section, we would be looking at some of the requirements needed to apply for a UK green card. Generally, you must be able to submit proof of living in the UK for a set duration of time before you can be granted your green card.
Below shows an example of the number of years needed for all categories before you can apply for a green card in the United Kingdom.
| Criteria for various visas | Duration |
| Marriage to a UK citizen | 2 years |
| Lawful stay in the UK | 10 years |
| Unlawful stay in the UK | 20 years |
| Tier 1 and Tier 2 visas | 5 years |
| Investors, businessmen/women, athlete | 5 years |
| Ancestry | 5 years |
For the first category, you must be married to a UK citizen who is already a permanent citizen and also has lived in the country for at least 2 years before you can apply for a UK green card.
Aside from that, you have to provide proof that you two have been living together and must continue living together after your UK green card has been granted to you.
Cost
How much does it cost to apply for UK Green Cards? It takes about £2,389 for an individual application by post. The advantage of this approach is that the decision is made on the same day, but can be quite expensive that the normal price.
Documentation
You would need to know the various documents needed during your application process.
- Bank account statements
- Address proof
- Council tax letters
- Appointment letter from the company letterhead with a signatory stamp and date
- If you are a business owner, your materials must be checked and proved with other relevant documents and a valid permit.
- Current Pay slips
How to Apply
After you have gone through all the documentation, you need to check all requirements for eligibility criteria and submit them to the right authority.
Non-EU immigrants can apply separately for each individual family member who is wishing you to join you.
Applicants on Tier 1 and Tier 2 visa options have the option of letting their family members join them in the UK if the permit allows for such.
You can decide to apply online or offline. The online application can be submitted with a copy of the downloaded application form filled with the correct information.